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Fluid balance is altered with long-term steroid use, causing edema and weight gain. Older patients and other patients at risk of heart or kidney disease are susceptible to sodium and fluid retention, which may lead to hypertension and congestive heart failure. Potassium loss also may occur, causing general weakness.2,8
Are you using a corticosteroid? Prednisone and other corticosteroid pills, creams and injections can cause side effects. Find out what to expect.
See how to counteract eight common prednisone side effects, including fluid retention, and learn how proper prednisone dosages can help.
Some side effects of prednisone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
For older people: As you age, your kidneys, liver, and heart may not work as well. Prednisone is processed in your liver and removed from your body through your kidneys.
Prednisone can cause low birth weight or birth defects if you take the medicine during your first trimester. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Stopping prednisone suddenly can be dangerous. Your doctor will advise you on how to taper down your prednisone dose if you have been taking it for more than a few weeks. If you are taking higher dosages of prednisone, you should not receive any live or live-attenuated vaccines.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
Mechanism of Action. Prednisone decreases inflammation via suppression of the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability. It also suppresses the immune system by reducing the activity and the volume of the immune system.
Most short-term prednisone side effects, like headaches, nausea, and weight gain, go away once the dose is lowered or the steroid is stopped altogether. Other potential side effects—like vision problems and osteoporosis —may be permanent.