What Is Prednisone?

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects of prednisone include changes in mood, weight gain, increased appetite, insomnia, and headaches. Patients taking this medicine have also experienced dizziness, stomach pain, bloating, and increased sweating. Skin changes such as thinning skin, easy bruising, skin discoloration, dry skin, and acne might develop, and some individuals have observed changes in the distribution of their body fat. For example, patients may notice they have more body fat in their arms, legs, face, neck, waist, or breasts than they did before beginning treatment with prednisone. Patients should discuss any worrying side effects with their physician.

In addition to these common side effects, potentially serious side effects could develop while on prednisone. The drug may cause swelling, rapid weight gain, and shortness of breath, and patients have also reported blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, and eye pain. The medication could trigger dangerous elevations in blood pressure, and patients who have this could notice chest pain, tinnitus, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat. Patients could observe blood in their stools while on prednisone, and the stools could have the appearance of tar. Some individuals have coughed up blood during prednisone treatment. Severe depression has been reported by patients who take this medicine, and individuals might display personality changes as well. Some patients report feelings of extreme happiness with prednisone use, and others report extreme sadness. Seizures have occurred in patients who take this medicine, and the drug may cause low potassium and pancreatitis. Patients who experience a rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, extreme thirst, muscle weakness, or severe pain in the upper abdomen while using prednisone should seek urgent medical care.

Discover precautions to remember when taking prednisone next.