Prednisone side effects
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Side effects
Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
Musculoskeletal
Gastrointestinal
Dermatologic
Neurological
Endocrine
Ophthalmic
Metabolic
Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
- Sodium retention
- Fluid retention
- Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients
- Potassium loss
- Hypokalemic alkalosis
- Hypertension Return to top
Musculoskeletal
- Muscle weakness
- Steroid myopathy
- Loss of muscle mass
- Osteoporosis
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads Return to top
Gastrointestinal
- Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
- Pancreatitis
- Abdominal distention
- Ulcerative esophagitis Return to top
Dermatologic
- Impaired wound healing
- Thin fragile skin
- Petechiae and ecchymoses
- Facial erythema
- Increased sweating
- May suppress reactions to skin tests Return to top
Neurological
- Convulsions
- Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually after treatment
- Vertigo
- Headache Return to top
Endocrine
- Menstrual irregularities
- Development of cushingoid state
- Suppression of growth in children
- Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness
- Decreased carbohydrate tolerance
- Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus
- Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics Return to top
Ophthalmic
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts
- Increased intraocular pressure
- Glaucoma
- Exophthalmos Return to top
Metabolic
Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism Return to top
Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.