Prednisone Side Effects and Asthma

Question: Prednisone Side Effects and Asthma

Answer: Prednisone side effects and other oral corticosteroid side effects are more likely to occur because these drugs are absorbed by and affect your entire body. On the other hand, inhaled and topical corticosteroids act on and are mostly absorbed in a particular area, making them less likely to cause significant side effects. Side effects are dose dependent-- meaning side effects are more common at higher doses. Prednisone side effects can be broken down into side effects occurring in the short or long term.

Short Term Prednisone Side Effects

Prednisone side effects that can occur days after starting medication include:

• Glaucoma or an elevated pressure in the eye
• Edema or swelling in your lower legs
• Increased blood pressure
• Mood swings
• Weight gain

Long Term Prednisone Side Effects

Prednisone side effects that can occur days after taking medication for a longer period of time include:

• Cataracts
• Elevated blood sugar that can lead to or worsen diabetes
• Increased risk of infections
• Loss of calcium from bones lead to osteoporosis
• Irregular periods
• Bruising of the skin
• Poor wound healing
• Adrenal gland suppression that inhibits a normal response to produce the hormone cortisol under stress

_Sources:

_{Medline Plus. Accessed August 15, 2009. Prednisone}