Chronic Pain Treatment Using Corticosteroids for Pain Control By Erica Jacques Erica Jacques LinkedIn Erica Jacques, OT, is a board-certified occupational therapist at a level one trauma center. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 16, 2020 Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD on November 21, 2019 LinkedIn Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning, board-certified physician-scientist and clinical development specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Corticosteroids are a class of strong anti-inflammatory drugs that can be used to control severe swelling and can control certain types of pain. They are designed to act like steroids that occur naturally in your body. Corticosteroids work by altering the immune response, controlling inflammation which can cause pain and decrease movement. Corticosteroids may be taken in pill form, applied topically to the skin, or injected directly into the tissues. Stefan Holm / EyeEm / Getty Images How Corticosteroids Are Used Corticosteroids tend to be used in the short-term, though they are often used by people who have chronic pain conditions. Some people take them for chronic swelling of the joints and tendons; however, corticosteroids are more frequently used to treat flare-ups or episodes of acute pain associated with long-term conditions. They may be used for this purpose in people who have the following conditions, in order to decrease pain and increase joint and tissue mobility: Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Synovitis Tendonitis Common Corticosteroids Some examples of corticosteroids that may be used for pain control include: HydrocortisonePrednisoneMethylprednisoloneCortisone Potential Corticosteroid Side Effects Like any pain medication, corticosteroids have potential side effects. These include: Nausea or vomitingHeadachesDizzinessDifficulty sleepingSkin changes, such as acne, redness or excess hair growthPsychological changes, such as anxiety, depression or mood swingsA change in menstrual cyclesCushing's syndrome (in the case of long-term use) Unless these symptoms persist or become bothersome, it is usually not necessary to seek medical advice. Serious Corticosteroid Side Effects Some side effects of corticosteroids require immediate medical attention. If any of the following symptoms occur while taking a corticosteroid, contact your healthcare provider immediately: Excessive swelling in the hands, feet or faceA rash that does not go awayVisual changes or eye painTarry bowel movementsNew muscle pains or weakness Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. DailyMed Current Medical Information, National Institutes of Health. Hydrocortisone Tablet. Medline Plus. Hydrocortisone Injection.