Prednisone Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2023.
Applies to prednisone: oral extemporaneous suspension, oral solution, oral tablets.
Side effects include:
Associated with long-term therapy: Bone loss, cataracts, indigestion, muscle weakness, back pain, bruising, oral candidiasis.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to prednisone: compounding powder, oral delayed release tablet, oral solution, oral tablet.
General
The most commonly reported adverse effects associated with corticosteroid use include fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, behavior and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain. Occurrence is often associated with dose and duration of therapy; long-term effects include HPA suppression, Cushingoid appearance, cataracts and increased intraocular pressure/glaucoma, osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures.[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics, lipid abnormal, negative nitrogen balance caused by protein catabolism, hypokalemia, hypokalemic alkalosis, metabolic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium retention with resulting edema, increased appetite and weight gain, anorexia and weight loss, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, ECG changes caused by potassium deficiency, edema, fat embolism, hypotension, hypertension or aggravation of hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, necrotizing angiitis, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis[Ref]
Endocrine
Frequency not reported: Adrenal insufficiency associated symptoms including arthralgias, buffalo hump, amenorrhea, postmenopausal bleeding or menstrual irregularities, development of cushingoid state, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, moon face, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress as in trauma, surgery, or illness), increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, cataracts (including posterior subcapsular cataracts) central serous chorioretinopathy, secondary bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Frequency not reported: Abdominal distention, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, gastric irritation, nausea, oropharyngeal candidiasis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small and large intestine (particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative esophagitis, vomiting[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Immunosuppression, aggravation/masking of infections, decreased resistance to infection[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, increased risk of fracture, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, myalgias, osteopenia, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture (particularly of the Achilles tendon), vertebral compression fractures, suppression of growth in pediatric patients[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, angioedema, allergic reactions[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Arachnoiditis, benign intracranial hypertension, convulsions, dementia, dizziness, EEG abnormalities, impaired cognition, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema, increased motor activity, ischemic neuropathy, severe tiredness or weakness, meningitis, neuritis, neuropathy, paraparesis/paraplegia, sensory disturbances[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Amnesia, anxiety, delirium, depression, emotional instability and irritability, euphoria, hallucinations, severe psychiatric symptoms, insomnia, long-term memory loss, mania, mood swings, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, personality changes, psychiatric disorders including steroid psychoses or aggravation of preexisting psychiatric conditions, restlessness, schizophrenia, verbal memory loss, withdrawn behavior[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Anemia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, moderate leukocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, polycythemia[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema, angioneurotic edema, atrophy and thinning of skin, dry scaly skin, ecchymosis and petechiae (bruising), erythema, facial edema, hirsutism, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, lupus erythematosus-like lesions, perineal irritation, purpura, rash, striae, subcutaneous fat atrophy, suppression of reactions to skin tests, telangiectasis, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria, hypertrichosis[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase elevations (usually reversible upon discontinuation), hepatomegaly[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Hiccups, pulmonary edema[Ref]
Oncologic
Frequency not reported: Kaposi's sarcoma[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Vertigo, pyrexia, abnormal fat deposits, malaise[Ref]
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Other brands
Deltasone, Rayos, Sterapred, Prednicot, Sterapred DS
Professional resources
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References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
3. Product Information. Rayos (prednisone). Horizon Therapeutics USA Inc. 2016.
4. Product Information. PredniSONE (prednisone). Watson Pharmaceuticals. 2016.
5. Product Information. Deltasone (prednisone). Pharmacia and Upjohn. 2001.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.