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Prednisone and antacids.
- Steroid Side Effects: How to Reduce Corticosteroid Side Effects
Prednisolone can cause fluid and salt retention and so may oppose the effects of the following medicines:. Prednisolone may increase blood sugar levels and so may oppose the blood sugar lowering effects of antidiabetic medicines.
People with diabetes may need an increase in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets. Prednisolone may enhance the anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. If you're taking warfarin with prednisolone your blood clotting time INR should be regularly monitored, particularly after starting or stopping treatment with prednisolone and after any dose changes.
The level of potassium in your blood is more likely to fall too low if you take prednisolone with other medicines that can lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as:. The following medicines may increase the removal of prednisolone from the body, thus reducing its effects.
You may need a larger dose of prednisolone if you are also taking any of these medicines:. The effect of corticosteroids may be reduced in the three to four days following use of mifepristone. The following medicines may reduce the removal of prednisolone from the body and so may increase its effects or side effects:.
Prednisolone may weaken your immune system, which means that vaccines may be less effective if given during treatment, because your body won't produce sufficient antibodies in response to the vaccine. Live vaccines shouldn't be given to people taking prednisolone because they may cause serious infections. Live vaccines include: measles, mumps, rubella MMR , BCG, chickenpox, oral typhoid, yellow fever and the nasal spray flu vaccine for children.
You shouldn't be given a live vaccine until at least three months after finishing your course of prednisolone. Last updated: Type keyword s to search. Can I take over-the-counter medicines with prednisolone? Can prednisolone affect my current medicines?
Prednisolone can cause fluid and salt retention and so may oppose the effects of the following medicines: antihypertensive medicines used to treat high blood pressure diuretics, eg furosemide.
The level of potassium in your blood is more likely to fall too low if you take prednisolone with other medicines that can lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as: acetazolamide aminophylline amphotericin beta agonists, eg salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline carbenoxolone liquorice in large quantities potassium-losing diuretics, eg furosemide, bendroflumethiazide theophylline.
You may need a larger dose of prednisolone if you are also taking any of these medicines: barbituates, eg amobarbital, phenobarbital carbamazepine fosphenytoin phenytoin primidone rifabutin rifampicin.
Self-care tips: If you get symptoms like these when you taper your steroids, discuss them with the doctor. Your physician will work with you to continually try to taper your steroid dose, at a safe rate of decrease, depending on how you are doing. On each visit, discuss with the physician whether it is possible to decrease your steroid dose. Note that even if you are having a steroid side effect, however, steroids still must be tapered slowly.
When used for less than two weeks, more rapid tapering of steroids is generally possible Infection Long-term steroids can suppress the protective role of your immune system and increase your risk of infection. Self-care-tips: Since steroids can decrease your immunity to infection, you should have a yearly flu shot as long as you are on steroids. Your physician will take your age and risk factors into account when deciding which vaccinations you need.
If you have a history of tuberculosis, exposure to tuberculosis, or a positive skin test for tuberculosis, report this to your doctor. Gastrointestinal symptoms Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Self-care tips: Report to your physician any severe, persisting abdominal pain or black, tarry stools. Take the steroid mediation after a full meal or with antacids , as this may help reduce irritation of the stomach.
Steroids can increase your appetite. Osteoporosis Steroid therapy can cause thinning of the bones osteopenia and osteoporosis , and increase the risk of bone fractures. See this reference from the National Institutes of Health about how much calcium you need for your sex and age, and how to get as much as possible from diet. The minimal daily requirement of vitamin D is international units UI daily, and most people on corticosteroids should take this amount. Your physician may check your vitamin D level and see if you actually need a higher dose.
Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of osteoporosis, so limiting these is helpful. Weight-bearing exercise walking, running, dancing, etc is helpful in stabilizing bone mass. Assess risk of falls.
Make a thorough examination of your home and correct situations that might result in a fall, such as eliminating scatter rugs and any obstacles between bedroom and bathroom, and installing night lights. Weight gain Steroids affect your metabolism and how your body deposits fat. Self-care tips: Watch your calories and exercise regularly to try to prevent excessive weight gain.
But don't let weight gain damage your self-esteem. Know that the weight will be easier to take off in the six months to a year after you discontinue steroids. Insomnia Steroids may impair your ability to fall asleep, especially when they are taken in the evening.
Self-care tips: If possible, the physician will try to have you take your entire daily dose in the morning.
This may help you sleep better at night evening doses sometimes make it difficult to fall asleep. Mood changes Steroids, especially in doses over 30 milligrams per day, can affect your mood. Self-care tips: Simply being aware that steroids can have an effect on your mood can sometimes make it less of a problem.
But, at times, this side will require that the steroid dosage be decreased. If maintaining the same steroid dosage is absolutely necessary, sometimes another medication can be added to help with the mood problem. Make sure your family and friends know about this possible side effect so they will know what's going on if you respond to them in unexpected ways. Ideally, tell your family and friends about this possible side effect as you start the medication, so that they can help you detect any changes in your behavior.
Fluid retention and elevated blood pressure Because cortisone is involved in regulating the body's balance of water, sodium, and other electrolytes, using these drugs can promote fluid retention and sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Self-care tips: Watch for swelling of your ankles , and report this to your doctor. Occasional patients benefit from diuretics water pills. Low sodium diet helps reduce fluid accumulation and may help control blood pressure. Have your blood pressure monitored regularly while you are on steroids, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure.
Steroids can raise blood pressure in some patients. Elevated blood sugar Since cortisone is involved in maintaining normal levels of glucose sugar in the blood, long-term use may lead to elevated blood sugar or even diabetes. Self-care tips: Your blood sugar should be followed while you are on steroids, especially if you are a diabetic, since corticosteroids can raise blood sugar.
Eye problems Steroids can sometimes cause cataracts or glaucoma increased pressure in the eye. Self-care tips: If you have a history of glaucoma or cataract follow up closely with the ophthalmologist while on steroids. If you develop any visual problems while on steroids, you will need to see the ophthalmologist. Temporarily blurred vision when you start corticosteroids is often not a serious problem, but ophthalmology evaluation should always be arranged if you experience other, new visual symptoms while taking steroids.
Atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries It is possible that steroids may increase the rate of "hardening of the arteries," which could increase the risk of heart disease. Self-care tips: Low cholesterol diet may help. If you develop signs suggesting heart problem, such as chest pain, get medical attention quickly. Work with your physician to address any heart risks that can be modified, such as exercise, weight and cholesterol level.
Aseptic necrosis Steroids, particularly at higher doses for long periods of time, can sometimes lead to damage to bones, called aseptic necrosis also known as osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis. This can happen in a number of joints, but the hip is the most common.
❾-50%}Prednisone and antacids.
If you're taking gastro-resistant prednisolone tablets, don't take antacids indigestion remedies at the same time of day. Avoid taking antacids within two hours of taking this type of prednisolone tablet. Don't take anti-inflammatory painkillers NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen while you're taking prednisolone, unless they've been prescribed by your doctor.
This type of painkiller may increase the risk of side effects on the gut, such as stomach ulceration and bleeding. Remember that many cold and flu remedies and over-the-counter painkillers contain ibuprofen or aspirin and so should be avoided while you're taking prednisolone. Be sure to check the ingredients of other medicines before taking them with prednisolone, or ask your pharmacist for advice. It's fine to take paracetamol with prednisolone. You can also take opioid-type painkillers such as codeine or co-codamol.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using steroid creams eg for eczema or allergic skin reactions or steroid nasal sprays eg for hayfever while you're using prednisolone. Prednisolone can cause fluid and salt retention and so may oppose the effects of the following medicines:. Prednisolone may increase blood sugar levels and so may oppose the blood sugar lowering effects of antidiabetic medicines. People with diabetes may need an increase in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets.
Prednisolone may enhance the anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. If you're taking warfarin with prednisolone your blood clotting time INR should be regularly monitored, particularly after starting or stopping treatment with prednisolone and after any dose changes.
The level of potassium in your blood is more likely to fall too low if you take prednisolone with other medicines that can lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as:. The following medicines may increase the removal of prednisolone from the body, thus reducing its effects. You may need a larger dose of prednisolone if you are also taking any of these medicines:. The effect of corticosteroids may be reduced in the three to four days following use of mifepristone.
The following medicines may reduce the removal of prednisolone from the body and so may increase its effects or side effects:. Prednisolone may weaken your immune system, which means that vaccines may be less effective if given during treatment, because your body won't produce sufficient antibodies in response to the vaccine.
Live vaccines shouldn't be given to people taking prednisolone because they may cause serious infections. Your physician will work with you to continually try to taper your steroid dose, at a safe rate of decrease, depending on how you are doing.
On each visit, discuss with the physician whether it is possible to decrease your steroid dose. Note that even if you are having a steroid side effect, however, steroids still must be tapered slowly. When used for less than two weeks, more rapid tapering of steroids is generally possible Infection Long-term steroids can suppress the protective role of your immune system and increase your risk of infection.
Self-care-tips: Since steroids can decrease your immunity to infection, you should have a yearly flu shot as long as you are on steroids. Your physician will take your age and risk factors into account when deciding which vaccinations you need.
If you have a history of tuberculosis, exposure to tuberculosis, or a positive skin test for tuberculosis, report this to your doctor. Gastrointestinal symptoms Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Self-care tips: Report to your physician any severe, persisting abdominal pain or black, tarry stools. Take the steroid mediation after a full meal or with antacids , as this may help reduce irritation of the stomach.
Steroids can increase your appetite. Osteoporosis Steroid therapy can cause thinning of the bones osteopenia and osteoporosis , and increase the risk of bone fractures. See this reference from the National Institutes of Health about how much calcium you need for your sex and age, and how to get as much as possible from diet. The minimal daily requirement of vitamin D is international units UI daily, and most people on corticosteroids should take this amount.
Your physician may check your vitamin D level and see if you actually need a higher dose. Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of osteoporosis, so limiting these is helpful. Weight-bearing exercise walking, running, dancing, etc is helpful in stabilizing bone mass. Assess risk of falls. Make a thorough examination of your home and correct situations that might result in a fall, such as eliminating scatter rugs and any obstacles between bedroom and bathroom, and installing night lights.
Weight gain Steroids affect your metabolism and how your body deposits fat. Self-care tips: Watch your calories and exercise regularly to try to prevent excessive weight gain. But don't let weight gain damage your self-esteem. Know that the weight will be easier to take off in the six months to a year after you discontinue steroids. Insomnia Steroids may impair your ability to fall asleep, especially when they are taken in the evening.
Self-care tips: If possible, the physician will try to have you take your entire daily dose in the morning. This may help you sleep better at night evening doses sometimes make it difficult to fall asleep. Mood changes Steroids, especially in doses over 30 milligrams per day, can affect your mood.
Self-care tips: Simply being aware that steroids can have an effect on your mood can sometimes make it less of a problem. But, at times, this side will require that the steroid dosage be decreased.
If maintaining the same steroid dosage is absolutely necessary, sometimes another medication can be added to help with the mood problem. Make sure your family and friends know about this possible side effect so they will know what's going on if you respond to them in unexpected ways. Ideally, tell your family and friends about this possible side effect as you start the medication, so that they can help you detect any changes in your behavior. Fluid retention and elevated blood pressure Because cortisone is involved in regulating the body's balance of water, sodium, and other electrolytes, using these drugs can promote fluid retention and sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Self-care tips: Watch for swelling of your ankles , and report this to your doctor. Occasional patients benefit from diuretics water pills. Low sodium diet helps reduce fluid accumulation and may help control blood pressure.
Have your blood pressure monitored regularly while you are on steroids, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure.
Steroids can raise blood pressure in some patients. Elevated blood sugar Since cortisone is involved in maintaining normal levels of glucose sugar in the blood, long-term use may lead to elevated blood sugar or even diabetes. Self-care tips: Your blood sugar should be followed while you are on steroids, especially if you are a diabetic, since corticosteroids can raise blood sugar.
Eye problems Steroids can sometimes cause cataracts or glaucoma increased pressure in the eye. Self-care tips: If you have a history of glaucoma or cataract follow up closely with the ophthalmologist while on steroids. If you develop any visual problems while on steroids, you will need to see the ophthalmologist. Temporarily blurred vision when you start corticosteroids is often not a serious problem, but ophthalmology evaluation should always be arranged if you experience other, new visual symptoms while taking steroids.
Atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries It is possible that steroids may increase the rate of "hardening of the arteries," which could increase the risk of heart disease. Self-care tips: Low cholesterol diet may help. If you develop signs suggesting heart problem, such as chest pain, get medical attention quickly. Work with your physician to address any heart risks that can be modified, such as exercise, weight and cholesterol level.
Aseptic necrosis Steroids, particularly at higher doses for long periods of time, can sometimes lead to damage to bones, called aseptic necrosis also known as osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis. This can happen in a number of joints, but the hip is the most common. Self-care tips: Hip pain, especially if you have no known hip arthritis, could be an early sign of this damage.
It's important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you're already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start taking prednisolone. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines with prednisolone, to make sure that the combination is safe. If you're taking gastro-resistant prednisolone tablets, don't take antacids indigestion remedies at the same time of day.
Avoid taking antacids within two hours of taking this type of prednisolone tablet. Don't take anti-inflammatory painkillers NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen while you're taking prednisolone, unless they've been prescribed by your doctor. This type of painkiller may increase the risk of side effects on the gut, such as stomach ulceration and bleeding.
Remember that many cold and flu remedies and over-the-counter painkillers contain ibuprofen or aspirin and so should be avoided while you're taking prednisolone. Be sure to check the ingredients of other medicines before taking them with prednisolone, or ask your pharmacist for advice. It's fine to take paracetamol with prednisolone. You can also take opioid-type painkillers such as codeine or co-codamol. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using steroid creams eg for eczema or allergic skin reactions or steroid nasal sprays eg for hayfever while you're using prednisolone.
Prednisolone can cause fluid and salt retention and so may oppose the effects of the following medicines:. Prednisolone may increase blood sugar levels and so may oppose the blood sugar lowering effects of antidiabetic medicines.
People with diabetes may need an increase in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets. Prednisolone may enhance the anti-blood-clotting effect of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. If you're taking warfarin with prednisolone your blood clotting time INR should be regularly monitored, particularly after starting or stopping treatment with prednisolone and after any dose changes.
The level of potassium in your blood is more likely to fall too low if you take prednisolone with other medicines that can lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as:.
The following medicines may increase the removal of prednisolone from the body, thus reducing its effects. You may need a larger dose of prednisolone if you are also taking any of these medicines:. The effect of corticosteroids may be reduced in the three to four days following use of mifepristone. The following medicines may reduce the removal of prednisolone from the body and so may increase its effects or side effects:. Prednisolone may weaken your immune system, which means that vaccines may be less effective if given during treatment, because your body won't produce sufficient antibodies in response to the vaccine.
Live vaccines shouldn't be given to people taking prednisolone because they may cause serious infections. Live vaccines include: measles, mumps, rubella MMRBCG, chickenpox, oral typhoid, yellow fever and the nasal spray flu vaccine for children. You shouldn't be given a live vaccine until at least three months after finishing your course of prednisolone. Last updated: Type keyword s to search. Can I take over-the-counter medicines with prednisolone?
Can prednisolone affect my current medicines? Prednisolone can cause fluid and salt retention and so may oppose the effects of the following medicines: antihypertensive medicines used to treat high blood pressure diuretics, eg furosemide. The level of potassium in your blood is more likely to fall too low if you take prednisolone with other medicines that can lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as: acetazolamide aminophylline amphotericin beta agonists, eg salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline carbenoxolone liquorice in large quantities potassium-losing diuretics, eg furosemide, bendroflumethiazide theophylline.
You may need a larger dose of prednisolone if you are also taking any of these medicines: barbituates, eg amobarbital, phenobarbital carbamazepine fosphenytoin phenytoin primidone rifabutin rifampicin. The following medicines may reduce the removal of prednisolone from the body and so may increase its effects or side effects: ciclosporin prednisolone may also increase the blood level and risk of side effects of ciclosporin itraconazole ketoconazole liquorice macrolide-type antibiotics, eg erythromycin protease inhibitors, eg ritonavir.
Can I have vaccines while taking prednisolone? What is prednisolone used for and how does it work? What should I know before using prednisolone? How do I take prednisolone? Who might need a lower prednisolone dose or extra monitoring? Can I use prednisolone while pregnant or breastfeeding? What are the possible side effects of prednisolone? Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. More From Medicines.
To insure ade- quate prednisolone levels in patients with chronic active liver disease, prednisone should not be given simultaneously with antacids. Received. Take 1 oz. of an antacid (Maalox, Mylanta) with each steroid dose, as prednisone may cause stomach ulcers. Avoid aspirin, alcohol and nicotine. To investigate the potential action of antacids on prednisone absorption and on prednisolone serum levels, we studied 5 healthy volunteers and 12 patients. Results of the study indicated that the complemental use of antacids with each divided dose of steroid is highly effective in reducing the frequency and. Note also that the side effects of steroids very much depend on the dose Take the steroid mediation after a full meal or with antacids. Make a thorough examination of your home and correct situations that might result in a fall, such as eliminating scatter rugs and any obstacles between bedroom and bathroom, and installing night lights. Weight-bearing exercise walking, running, dancing, etc is helpful in stabilizing bone mass.How to think about the suggestions below: Any suggestion here which is not clear or which you think may not apply to you should be discussed with the your physician. Note also that the side effects of steroids very much depend on the dose and how long they are taken. If your dose is low, your risk of serious side effect is quite small, especially if precautions, as discussed below, are taken.
Reading about these side effects may make you uncomfortable about taking steroids. You should be well aware of the risks before starting these medications. However, please be reassured that many people take steroids with minor or no side effects. Please also remember that steroids are often extremely effective and can be life-saving. If any of the suggestions here is unclear, or seems irrelevant to you, please discuss it with your physician.
With long-term use, corticosteroids can result in any of the following side effects. However, taking care of yourself as discussed below may reduce the risks. Steroid use for over two weeks can decrease the ability of your body to respond to physical stress.
A higher dose of steroid may be needed at times of major stress, such as surgery or very extensive dental work or serious infection. This could be needed for as long as a year after you have stopped steroids. Taking these anti-inflammatory steroids can suppress the hypothalamus, as well as the pituitary gland, which are all involved the process of stimulating the adrenal gland to make cortisol.
For example, the pituitary gland production of ACTH which stimulate the adrenal to make cortisol can be inhibited. The adrenal gland itself can also show some suppression of its ability to make cortisol. Rapid withdrawal of steroids may cause a syndrome that could include fatigue, joint pain, muscle stiffness, muscle tenderness, or fever. These symptoms could be hard to separate from those of your underlying disease. Even with slower withdrawal of steroids, some of these symptoms are possible, but usually in milder forms.
At times, rapid withdrawal of steroids can lead to a more severe syndrome of adrenal insufficiency. This can cause symptoms and health problems such as drops in blood pressure, as well as chemical changes in the blood such as high potassium or low sodium. Sometimes this can be set off by injuries or a surgical procedure. Because of this, make sure your doctors always know if you have been treated with steroids in the past, especially in the past year, so they can be on the alert for the development of adrenal insufficiency at times such as a surgical procedure.
Long-term steroids can suppress the protective role of your immune system and increase your risk of infection. Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
If you are on low-dose aspirin for heart protection, your physician may want you to continue this when you take the prednisone, but might consdier adding a medication for stomach protection during the course of steroids. Steroid therapy can cause thinning of the bones osteopenia and osteoporosis , and increase the risk of bone fractures.
At the beginning or before your steroid therapy, many patients will be asked to have a bone density test, especially if the steroid dose is high. If density is low, the bone density study It will be repeated in the future to assess the effectiveness of measures you will be using to prevent bone loss.
Steroids affect your metabolism and how your body deposits fat. This can increase your appetite, leading to weight gain, and in particular lead to extra deposits of fat in your abdomen. Steroids, especially in doses over 30 milligrams per day, can affect your mood. Just being aware that steroids can do this sometimes makes it less of a problem. Sometimes, this side effect requires that the steroid dosage be decreased.
When the steroids are absolutely necessary, sometimes another medication can be added to help with the mood problem. Make sure your family knows about this possible side effect. Because cortisone is involved in regulating the body's balance of water, sodium, and other electrolytes, using these drugs can promote fluid retention and sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Since cortisone is involved in maintaining normal levels of glucose sugar in the blood, long-term use may lead to elevated blood sugar or even diabetes.
It is possible that steroids may increase the rate of "hardening of the arteries," which could increase the risk of heart disease. This risk is probably much more significant if steroids are taken for more than a year, and if taken in high dose. By ; Theodore R. Understanding corticosteroid side effects With long-term use, corticosteroids can result in any of the following side effects.
Increased doses needed for physical stress Steroid use for over two weeks can decrease the ability of your body to respond to physical stress. Self-care tips: Discuss this possibility with the surgeon or dentist, etc.
Your physician or surgeon may not feel you need to take the extra steroid at the time of surgery, but if they know you have been on corticosteroids they can watch you more carefully after surgery.
Self-care tips: If you get symptoms like these when you taper your steroids, discuss them with the doctor. Your physician will work with you to continually try to taper your steroid dose, at a safe rate of decrease, depending on how you are doing. On each visit, discuss with the physician whether it is possible to decrease your steroid dose. Note that even if you are having a steroid side effect, however, steroids still must be tapered slowly.
When used for less than two weeks, more rapid tapering of steroids is generally possible Infection Long-term steroids can suppress the protective role of your immune system and increase your risk of infection. Self-care-tips: Since steroids can decrease your immunity to infection, you should have a yearly flu shot as long as you are on steroids.
Your physician will take your age and risk factors into account when deciding which vaccinations you need. If you have a history of tuberculosis, exposure to tuberculosis, or a positive skin test for tuberculosis, report this to your doctor.
Gastrointestinal symptoms Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Self-care tips: Report to your physician any severe, persisting abdominal pain or black, tarry stools. Take the steroid mediation after a full meal or with antacids , as this may help reduce irritation of the stomach.
Steroids can increase your appetite. Osteoporosis Steroid therapy can cause thinning of the bones osteopenia and osteoporosis , and increase the risk of bone fractures. See this reference from the National Institutes of Health about how much calcium you need for your sex and age, and how to get as much as possible from diet.
The minimal daily requirement of vitamin D is international units UI daily, and most people on corticosteroids should take this amount. Your physician may check your vitamin D level and see if you actually need a higher dose. Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of osteoporosis, so limiting these is helpful. Weight-bearing exercise walking, running, dancing, etc is helpful in stabilizing bone mass. Assess risk of falls. Make a thorough examination of your home and correct situations that might result in a fall, such as eliminating scatter rugs and any obstacles between bedroom and bathroom, and installing night lights.
Weight gain Steroids affect your metabolism and how your body deposits fat. Self-care tips: Watch your calories and exercise regularly to try to prevent excessive weight gain.
But don't let weight gain damage your self-esteem. Know that the weight will be easier to take off in the six months to a year after you discontinue steroids. Insomnia Steroids may impair your ability to fall asleep, especially when they are taken in the evening. Self-care tips: If possible, the physician will try to have you take your entire daily dose in the morning.
This may help you sleep better at night evening doses sometimes make it difficult to fall asleep. Mood changes Steroids, especially in doses over 30 milligrams per day, can affect your mood. Self-care tips: Simply being aware that steroids can have an effect on your mood can sometimes make it less of a problem.
But, at times, this side will require that the steroid dosage be decreased. If maintaining the same steroid dosage is absolutely necessary, sometimes another medication can be added to help with the mood problem. Make sure your family and friends know about this possible side effect so they will know what's going on if you respond to them in unexpected ways.
Ideally, tell your family and friends about this possible side effect as you start the medication, so that they can help you detect any changes in your behavior. Fluid retention and elevated blood pressure Because cortisone is involved in regulating the body's balance of water, sodium, and other electrolytes, using these drugs can promote fluid retention and sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Self-care tips: Watch for swelling of your ankles , and report this to your doctor. Occasional patients benefit from diuretics water pills. Low sodium diet helps reduce fluid accumulation and may help control blood pressure. Have your blood pressure monitored regularly while you are on steroids, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Steroids can raise blood pressure in some patients.
Elevated blood sugar Since cortisone is involved in maintaining normal levels of glucose sugar in the blood, long-term use may lead to elevated blood sugar or even diabetes. Self-care tips: Your blood sugar should be followed while you are on steroids, especially if you are a diabetic, since corticosteroids can raise blood sugar. Eye problems Steroids can sometimes cause cataracts or glaucoma increased pressure in the eye.
Self-care tips: If you have a history of glaucoma or cataract follow up closely with the ophthalmologist while on steroids. If you develop any visual problems while on steroids, you will need to see the ophthalmologist. Temporarily blurred vision when you start corticosteroids is often not a serious problem, but ophthalmology evaluation should always be arranged if you experience other, new visual symptoms while taking steroids. Atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries It is possible that steroids may increase the rate of "hardening of the arteries," which could increase the risk of heart disease.
Self-care tips: Low cholesterol diet may help. If you develop signs suggesting heart problem, such as chest pain, get medical attention quickly. Work with your physician to address any heart risks that can be modified, such as exercise, weight and cholesterol level. Aseptic necrosis Steroids, particularly at higher doses for long periods of time, can sometimes lead to damage to bones, called aseptic necrosis also known as osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis.
This can happen in a number of joints, but the hip is the most common. Self-care tips: Hip pain, especially if you have no known hip arthritis, could be an early sign of this damage. Report this to your doctor. In-person and virtual physician appointments.
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