When do prednisone side effects start?

Key takeaways

• The timing of prednisone side effects varies, with some appearing within minutes or hours, such as nausea or mood changes, while others may take several weeks to develop.
• The likelihood and severity of experiencing prednisone side effects are often linked to the dosage and duration of treatment; higher doses or prolonged use increase the risk.
• Short-term prednisone use (typically 1 to 2 weeks) is less likely to cause serious side effects, and many temporary side effects resolve once the medication is stopped.

Overview

Prednisone is a generic type of corticosteroid that helps treat a range of conditions, particularly those related to inflammation, such as severe allergies, allergic reactions, asthma, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. 

It’s available in different forms, including:

• oral tablets
• oral liquid solutions
• injectable forms (given by a healthcare professional)

Prednisone is also available under the brand name Prednisone Intensol. The medication is only available with a prescription.

Knowing more about prednisone, including its possible side effects and when you can expect them to start, can help you feel confident getting your treatment.

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How long does it take prednisone’s side effects to start?

How long it takes prednisone’s side effects to start generally depends on your dose of prednisone. This means that your risk of side effects increases with increased doses or taking the drug for longer periods of time.

That being said, prednisone has both short-term and long-term side effects.

Some side effects can begin shortly after you take the drug. For example, nausea or an upset stomach might occur within a few minutes of taking the drug, while mood changes could start in a couple of hours. Prednisone’s common short-term side effects typically involve changes in your appetite, energy, mood, and sleep.

Prednisone’s long-term side effects typically affect people who are taking the drug for several months or years to help treat autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These long-term side effects don’t usually affect people who only take prednisone for a few weeks. The following side effects often take several weeks to develop:

• weight gain
• osteoporosis
• weakened immune system
• changes in blood pressure

What are prednisone’s short-term side effects?

Your doctor may only prescribe a short course of prednisone (1 to 2 weeks) to treat conditions like a flare in asthma or allergies. Short-term treatment with prednisone is usually unlikely to cause serious side effects, and a lot of the side effects it does cause may be temporary and go away when you stop taking prednisone.

Some of the most common short-term side effects of prednisone may include:

• mood changes or irritability
• swelling in the face, hands, ankles, and feet caused by fluid retention
• increase in appetite 
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• restlessness
• high blood sugar
• indigestion or upset stomach
• hot flashes or increased sweating

The risk of experiencing these side effects will likely depend on the dose of prednisone you take. Lower doses may have a decreased risk of causing side effects than higher doses. Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss the risks and benefits of taking prednisone for your condition. They can give you personalized advice on how to manage potential side effects.

Will 5 days of prednisone cause side effects?

Since doctors typically consider a 5-day course of prednisone a short-term course, you are likely to experience some of the short-term side effects mentioned in the section above. However, most of these side effects will be temporary and go away after you stop taking prednisone.

Summary

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is likely to cause side effects. However, you’re more likely to experience these side effects when you’re taking a higher dose of the drug or a longer course of treatment.

Some of prednisone’s side effects may start within several minutes to hours of taking your dose. Other side effects may take weeks to develop.

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Related articles

• What to expect while taking prednisone
• Does prednisone make you sleepy?
• How long does prednisone stay in your system?
• Prednisone tablet dosage

Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.