What Are Prednisone Side Effects?

Prednisone is an inexpensive and effective type of corticosteroid that is frequently used in treating a flare-up in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While this drug is often one that acts quickly, the side effects of prednisone are well-known for being troublesome for patients. Some of the most frequently discussed side effects are weight gain, insomnia, moodiness, hair growth, and acne.

Prednisone is similar to a compound that is made naturally in the body's adrenal gland, and may also be used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions. Because of the potential for serious and ongoing prednisone side effects, this drug should only be used on a short-term basis. Prednisone also suppresses the immune system, which may be necessary to dampen down inflammation from an autoimmune or immune-mediated disease. However, having a depressed immune system may also leave a patient open to developing other infections.

Below is a list of some of the possible side effects of prednisone. If you have concerns about any side effects or adverse effects from prednisone, contact your physician for instruction. Prednisone should not be stopped suddenly because that could do harm to the adrenal glands. This drug must be slowly decreased over a period of time to avoid problems with withdrawal and to prevent the symptoms of the disease from coming back again.

Common Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

increased appetite
indigestion
nervousness or restlessness

Less Frequent or Rare Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

darkening or lightening of skin color

dizziness or lightheadedness
flushing of face or cheeks
hiccups
increased sweating
sensation of spinning

When to Notify Your Doctor

Less common:

Decreased or blurred vision
frequent urination
increased thirst

Rare:

confusion
excitement
false sense of well-being
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
mental depression
mistaken feelings of self-importance or being mistreated
mood swings (sudden and wide)
restlessness
skin rash or hives

These side effects may occur when this drug is used for a prolonged period of time. Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects occur:

abdominal or stomach pain or burning (continuing)
acne
bloody or black, tarry stools
changes in vision
eye pain
filling or rounding out of the face
headache
irregular heartbeat
menstrual problems
muscle cramps or pain
muscle weakness
nausea
pain in arms, back, hips, legs, ribs, or shoulders
reddish purple lines on arms, face, groin, legs, or trunk
redness of eyes
sensitivity of eyes to light
stunting of growth (in children)
swelling of feet or lower legs
tearing of eyes
thin, shiny skin
trouble in sleeping
unusual bruising
unusual increase in hair growth
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight gain (rapid)
wounds that will not heal

A Word From Verywell

Taking corticosteroids may lower your resistance to infections. Any infection you get may be harder to treat. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any possible signs of an infection, such as sore throat, fever, sneezing, or coughing.

After stopping this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of prednisone taken and how long it was used. After taking large doses of this medicine for a long time, it may take up to one year to adjust. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

abdominal, stomach, or back pain
dizziness
fainting
fever
loss of appetite (continuing)
muscle or joint pain
nausea
reappearance of disease symptoms
shortness of breath
unexplained headaches (frequent or continuing)
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight loss (rapid)

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. This information is meant only as a guideline—always consult a physician or pharmacist for complete information about prescription medications.