Drug Side Effects Info

Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that has potent anti-inflammatory effects and can be used for a number of different conditions. It is a pro-drug that is converted into prednisolone, the active drug, by the liver. It has a mainly glucocorticoid effect and is usually taken orally but can be delivered by intramuscular injection.

Prednisone is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant due to its capability to affect virtually all of the immune system. As such, it can be used in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as severe asthma and allergies, various kidney diseases including nephrotic syndrome, mononucleosis (Epstein Barr virus), and to prevent and treat rejection in organ transplantation.

Prednisone has also been used in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches and for severe Aphthous ulcer (Cankersore) outbreaks. Prednisone is also used as an antitumor drug, especially in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and other tumors in combination with other anticancer drugs.

One of the most documented prednisone side effects is adrenal suppression, which may occur a week surpassing the period of prednisone consumption. Adrenal suppression is a condition when the body becomes unable to synthesize natural corticosteroids, and as a result develops a certain dependency to prednisone.

Consequently, abrupt cessation of prednisone is not recommended for patients who have taken it for more than a week as it can cause the life-threatening Addison’s disease, wherein the body no longer produces sufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones. Instead, the dose is gradually reduced over a few days and over a few weeks or months for short-term and long-term prednisone use, respectively.

Prednisone is known to cause a number of short-term side effects. Among others, patients suffering from diabetes mellitus or are under medications that increase blood glucose tend to experience high blood glucose levels. Other effects include euphoria, insomnia, and in some cases even mania.

Prednisone use is also known to affect the eyes; in this context, glaucoma and formation of cataract are the most common. Some of the less serious side effects of prednisone include weight gain, stretch marks on the skin, swelling in the face, nervousness, increase in appetite and hyperactivity. Prednisone also can give rise to many other side effects such as sleeplessness, unnatural fatigue, blurring of vision, abdominal pain, peptic ulcers, infections, pain in the hips or shoulders, osteoporosis and acne.

Meanwhile, long term use of prednisone may cause side effects such as Cushing’s syndrome and Type II diabetes mellitus. There is also a tendency of depression upon withdrawal of prednisone after long-term use. Almost all long-term users of prednisone experience a reduction in their sex drive as well. Though prednisone may seem to cause many troublesome side effects, it is worth noting that it is also a life-saving drug, making it indispensable even when severe side effects occur.