From the Guidelines
When taking low-dose prednisone (less than 20mg per day) for a short period of time (less than 2 weeks), side effects are typically mild and may include insomnia, mood changes, increased appetite, and weight gain 1. Other possible side effects are increased blood sugar levels, water retention, and stomach upset.
Common Side Effects
- Reversible abnormalities in glucose metabolism
- Increased appetite
- Fluid retention
- Weight gain
- Mood alteration
- Hypertension 1 It is essential to follow the prescribed dosage and duration to minimize the risk of side effects. If you experience any concerning symptoms, consult your healthcare provider promptly.
Less Common Side Effects
- Osteoporosis
- Cataracts
- Muscle weakness
- Impaired immune function 1 These side effects are more commonly associated with long-term use of prednisone, but it is still important to be aware of them when taking the medication for a short period.
Special Considerations
Patients with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or osteoporosis, should be closely monitored while taking prednisone 1. Additionally, patients taking prednisone should undergo regular eye examinations to monitor for cataracts and glaucoma 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The following adverse reactions have been reported with prednisone or other corticosteroids: Allergic Reactions anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, angioedema Cardiovascular System bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, ECG changes caused by potassium deficiency, edema, fat embolism, hypertension or aggravation of hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, necrotizing angiitis, pulmonary edema, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis Dermatologic acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema, angioneurotic edema, atrophy and thinning of skin, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae (bruising), erythema, facial edema, hirsutism, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, Karposi’s sarcoma, lupus erythematosus-like lesions, perineal irritation, purpura, rash, striae, subcutaneous fat atrophy, suppression of reactions to skin tests, striae, telangiectasis, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria ... (see 2, 2)
The side effects of low-dose prednisone (corticosteroid) used for a short period of time may include:
- Allergic reactions: anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, angioedema
- Cardiovascular effects: bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure
- Dermatologic effects: acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema
- Immune system effects: increased risk of infection, reactivation of latent infections
- Metabolic effects: hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis
- Musculoskeletal effects: arthralgias, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, increase risk of fracture, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, myalgias, osteopenia, osteoporosis
- Neurological effects: convulsions, delirium, dementia, depression, dizziness, EEG abnormalities, emotional instability and irritability, euphoria, hallucinations, headache, impaired cognition, incidence of severe psychiatric symptoms, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema, increased motor activity, insomnia, ischemic neuropathy, 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, vertigo, withdrawn behavior However, the actual side effects experienced may be less severe or less frequent when using low-dose prednisone for a short period of time. It is essential to monitor patients closely for any adverse reactions and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
From the Research
Side Effects of Low-Dose Prednisone
The side effects of low-dose prednisone used for a short period of time are minimal, according to various studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Bone Metabolism: Low-dose prednisone can suppress bone formation and may decrease bone resorption in postmenopausal women 3.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Low-dose prednisone can control inflammatory features of early polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis and retard bony damage 4.
- Short-Term Use: Short courses of oral steroids (less than two weeks) in children are very unlikely to cause long-term side effects 5.
- Long-Term Use: Low-dose long-term prednisone use (greater than 1 year) is correlated with the development of specific adverse events, such as fractures, serious infections, and gastrointestinal events, in a dose-dependent fashion 6.
- Common Side Effects: Common side effects of low-dose prednisone include bruising, skin-thinning, hypertension, diabetes, and cataracts 7.
Special Considerations
- Dose-Response Relationship: There is a dose-response relationship between prednisone and adverse event occurrence, independent of rheumatoid nodules 6.
- Patient Monitoring: Patients on low-dose prednisone should be monitored for adverse events, such as osteoporosis, and receive preventive measures, such as calcium and vitamin D supplements 4.
- Individual Variability: Individual patients may experience different side effects and responses to low-dose prednisone, highlighting the need for personalized treatment plans 7.