The higher the dose of prednisolone that you take and the longer you take it for, the greater the chance of side effects. You're less likely to get side effects if you take a relatively low dose of prednisolone daily. If you have been taking prednisolone for more than a few weeks, check with your doctor before stopping it suddenly to reduce your chances of withdrawal side effects. Some side
effects, such as stomach upset or mood changes, can happen straight away. Others, such as getting a rounder face, happen after weeks or months. These common side effects of prednisolone happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them: If you have to take prednisolone for more
than a few weeks, it's likely that you'll put on weight. Prednisolone can make you hungrier and also can make you retain more water in your body. Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable. Once you stop taking prednisolone, your
appetite and the way your body retains water should return to normal. Take prednisolone with food to reduce the chances of stomach problems. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you're taking this medicine. If symptoms carry on, ask your doctor if you may benefit from taking an additional medicine to protect your stomach. Problems sleeping (insomnia)Take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime. Feeling restlessIf you're feeling restless when you're trying to sleep, take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime. Sweating a lotTry wearing loose clothing and use a strong anti-perspirant. If this does not help, talk to your doctor as you may be able to try a different medicine. Mild mood changesPrednisolone can affect your mood in different ways. Talk to your doctor if you are finding it hard to cope. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and any of these side effects bother you or last more than a few days. Serious side effectsYou are more likely to have a serious side effect if you take a higher dose of prednisolone or if you have been taking it for more than a few weeks. Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you get:
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Call 111 if you're worried about a child under the age of 5 years. Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
Find your nearest A&E Mood changesYou may notice mood changes and mental health problems while taking prednisolone. Talk to your doctor or contact 111 if you have any mood changes including:
The higher the dose, the more intense the mood changes can be. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
Find your nearest A&E Serious allergic reactionIn rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to prednisolone. Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. Long-term side effectsTaking prednisolone for a long time can lead to side effects such as:
Children and teenagersTaking prednisolone at higher doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers. Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they're taking this medicine. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child's growth and change their treatment if needed. Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height. Talk to your doctor if you're worried. They'll be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child prednisolone. Other side effectsThese are not all the side effects of prednisolone. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. Will a 5 day course of prednisone cause side effects?Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or acne may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
What is considered short term use of prednisone?Short-term treatment (7–14 days) with oral prednisone is used for many acute inflammatory and allergic conditions.
Does short term prednisone cause side effects?Common short-term side effects include changes in appetite, mood, energy, and sleep. Long-term prednisone treatment can lead to weight gain, osteoporosis, and cataracts. Diarrhea is not a side effect of prednisone. But other gastrointestinal symptoms are possible, like increased appetite and indigestion.
What are the side effects of taking prednisone for 3 days?Common side effects of daily low dose prednisone include elevated blood pressure, swelling, changes in blood sugar, increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), irregular menstrual periods, and mood changes.
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