Prednisone oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prednisone oral tablets to treat the following conditions, among others:

• certain endocrine problems, such as adrenal insufficiency
• certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma
• certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis
• certain blood disorders, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia

This article describes possible side effects (also known as adverse effects) of prednisone oral tablets. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for prednisone.

Prednisone oral tablets are a generic medication. They aren’t available in a brand-name version. Prednisone also comes in a liquid form and as a delayed-release tablet, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

You can explore this overview article to learn more about prednisone oral tablets, including all of the drug’s uses, dosages, ways to save on cost, and more.

More common side effects of prednisone

Prednisone oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of prednisone oral tablets include:

• changes in mood or behavior
• fluid buildup
• increased blood sugar level
• increased appetite
• weight gain*
• sleep problems*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of prednisone in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of prednisone

Prednisone may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of prednisone oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• belly swelling
• increased appetite
• increased sweating
• changes in your period
• changes in mood or behavior
• muscle weakness or wasting
• nausea or upset stomach
• skin thinning
• slow wound healing
• vertigo (feeling as if you’re swaying or spinning)
• fluid buildup
• weight gain*
• headache*
• sleep problems*
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of prednisone in detail” section below.

Prednisone oral tablets may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of prednisone

Prednisone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from prednisone oral tablets, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with prednisone oral tablets.

Serious side effects of prednisone oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• adrenal insufficiency (inability of your adrenal glands to produce certain hormones)
• bone fracture (break)
• eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts
• increased blood pressure
• increased blood sugar level, which may lead to type 2 diabetes
• increased risk of infection
• low potassium level
• mental health conditions, such as depression, psychosis, and personality changes
• osteoporosis (decrease in bone density)
• pancreatitis (swelling of your pancreas)
• seizure
• slowed growth in children
• ulcers (sores) in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine
• Cushingoid state (high level of cortisol hormone)*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see “Is ‘moon face’ a side effect of prednisone?” in the “Common questions about side effects of prednisone” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of prednisone in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of prednisone

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of prednisone oral tablets. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of prednisone in women compare with those seen in men?

Usually, prednisone oral tablets can cause the same side effects in females* and males.* But if you’re female, prednisone can cause changes in your period. This could include changes in menstrual cycle length, causing your period to come early or late.

If you have concerns about prednisone’s side effects, talk with your doctor. Also, talk with your doctor if you notice changes in your period while taking prednisone.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Are there short-term side effects from prednisone?

Yes, there may be short-term side effects if you take prednisone oral tablets for a short time. These may include nausea, upset stomach, or headache.* It’s also possible to have an increased appetite that can lead to weight gain.* Other possible side effects include sleep problems and increased sweating.

Most of the short-term side effects of prednisone are mild and temporary. But if side effects don’t go away or they become bothersome, contact your doctor.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of prednisone in detail” section below.

Can prednisone 20 mg cause constipation?

No. Prednisone oral tablets aren’t known to cause constipation. This side effect was not reported in studies of the drug, so it isn’t likely that you’ll experience constipation while taking prednisone.

But constipation may be a sign of other side effects, such as a low potassium level. Tell your doctor if you have constipation while taking prednisone. They can help determine the cause and discuss ways to manage it.

If I stop taking prednisone, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

If you stop taking prednisone oral tablets suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.)

Examples of withdrawal symptoms from prednisone include fatigue (low energy), mood swings, and body aches.

You may have an increased risk of withdrawal symptoms if you’ve been taking prednisone for a long time or at high dosages.* To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, doctors usually recommend gradually decreasing the dosage before stopping treatment. This gives your body time to adjust.

If you have questions about how to stop taking prednisone, talk with your doctor. Do not stop taking prednisone without first talking with your doctor.

* To learn about prednisone’s dosages, see this article.

Is ‘moon face’ a side effect of prednisone?

It’s possible. Moon face is often a symptom of Cushingoid state, which can be a side effect of prednisone oral tablets. With moon face, you have swelling in your face that makes it rounder. With Cushingoid state, your body has too much cortisol hormone. High dosages* or long-term treatment with prednisone can cause this in some cases.

If you notice changes in your face while taking prednisone, contact your doctor. They can determine whether prednisone are the cause and advise the best way to manage the changes.

* To learn about prednisone’s dosages, see this article.

Does prednisone cause long-term side effects?

Yes, taking prednisone oral tablets long-term can cause certain side effects. Some examples include:

• adrenal insufficiency (inability of your adrenal glands to produce certain hormones)
• eye problems, such as glaucoma and cataracts
• increased blood pressure
• osteoporosis (decrease in bone density)
• ulcers (sores) in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine
• increased blood sugar level, which may lead to type 2 diabetes
• slowed growth in children
• increased risk of infection
• weight gain
• mental health conditions, such as depression, psychosis, and personality changes

If you’re concerned about taking prednisone oral tablets long term, talk with your doctor about possible side effects and how to monitor them. You can also check out the drug’s prescribing information to learn more about all side effects reported with the drug, including long-term ones.

Coupon for prednisone

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for prednisone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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Side effects of prednisone in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of prednisone oral tablets.

Weight gain

Some people may experience weight gain while taking prednisone oral tablets. But it’s not known how often this side effect occurred in studies.

Weight gain can happen due to increased appetite and fluid buildup, which are common side effects of prednisone.*

Weight gain may also occur due to some serious long-term side effects† of prednisone. These include a high blood sugar level and adrenal insufficiency (inability of your adrenal glands to produce certain hormones).

Ways to manage

Contact your doctor if you notice weight gain while taking prednisone oral tablets. They can help determine the cause and advise how best to manage it.

* To learn about the common side effects of prednisone oral tablets, see the “More common side effects of prednisone” section above.
† For details about long-term side effects of prednisone oral tablets, see “Does prednisone cause long-term side effects?” in the “Common questions about side effects of prednisone” section above.

Headache

Headache is a possible side effect of prednisone oral tablets. It’s unknown how often this side effect occurred in studies of the drug. Headaches can be a sign of a more serious side effect, such as a high blood sugar level.

Ways to manage

If you get headaches while taking prednisone, contact your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage your headaches. This may include taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever medications.

Sleep problems

Some people experience problems with sleep, such as insomnia, while taking prednisone oral tablets. With insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Ways to manage

If you have trouble sleeping while taking prednisone, talk with your doctor. They can help you find ways to manage this side effect. This could include changing the time of day that you take prednisone. It may also include temporarily trying OTC sleep aids.

Allergic reaction

For some people, prednisone oral tablets can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was rarely reported since the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to prednisone oral tablets, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for prednisone

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking prednisone oral tablets.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take prednisone if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether prednisone oral tablets are a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking prednisone, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to prednisone oral tablets or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.

Diabetes. Taking prednisone oral tablets can increase your blood sugar level. If you have diabetes and take prednisone, your doctor may recommend increasing the dosage of your diabetes medication. If you have diabetes, tell your doctor before starting prednisone. They may recommend changes in blood sugar monitoring or the dosages of your diabetes medications.

Digestive problems. Prednisone oral tablets may cause or worsen ulcers in your stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. In some cases, this can lead to bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have any stomach conditions before starting prednisone. They’ll help determine whether the drug is safe for you.

Eye problems. Prednisone oral tablets can increase the pressure inside your eye and lead to glaucoma. If you already have glaucoma, prednisone may make it worse. Long-term treatment with prednisone can also cause cataracts. If you have any eye problems, tell your doctor before starting prednisone.

Growth and development. Long-term treatment with prednisone oral tablets in children can slow their growth and development. If your child needs to take prednisone, talk with their doctor. You can ask how they will monitor your child’s growth and development during prednisone treatment.

High blood pressure. Taking prednisone oral tablets can increase your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, the drug can increase it further. In this case, talk with your doctor before starting prednisone. Your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood pressure more often, or they may adjust your blood pressure medication.

Infection. Taking prednisone oral tablets can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of getting an infection. It can also hide the usual signs of infection. In some cases, it can make some infections, such as chickenpox, more serious and even fatal. Before starting prednisone, tell your doctor about any current or past infections, especially with herpes and tuberculosis. Prednisone may reactivate the organisms that cause these infections.

Mental health conditions. Prednisone oral tablets can cause mood and personality changes, including depression and psychosis. If you already have a mental health condition, taking prednisone may worsen it. In this case, talk with your doctor before starting prednisone. They’ll help determine whether the medication is right for you.

Osteoporosis. Long-term treatment with prednisone oral tablets can weaken your bones and lead to osteoporosis. If you already have osteoporosis, prednisone may make it worse. Talk with your doctor about your bone health before starting prednisone. Ask whether it’s right for you and what other treatment options you may have.

Prednisone and pregnancy

It isn’t known whether prednisone oral tablets are safe to take during pregnancy. The drug hasn’t been studied in enough depth in humans to determine this. If you become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the safety of taking prednisone. Together, you can decide whether the benefits outweigh any potential risks.

Prednisone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether prednisone oral tablets are safe to take while breastfeeding. There aren’t enough studies of the drug’s use in humans to know for sure. If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to take prednisone. They can advise on the risks and benefits of taking the drug.

Prednisone and alcohol

Prednisone oral tablets aren’t known to interact with alcohol.

But taking prednisone oral tablets with alcohol may worsen some side effects. These may include headache, nausea, and upset stomach.

Chronic (long-term) or excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of developing pancreatitis (swelling of your pancreas) and stomach ulcers (sores). Both of these are serious side effects of prednisone. (To learn more about the serious side effects of prednisone oral tablets, see the “Serious side effects of prednisone” section above.)

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with prednisone.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of prednisone oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I need to take prednisone oral tablets?
• What are the long-term steroid side effects that I need to know about with prednisone oral tablets?
• When I stop taking prednisone oral tablets, should I be concerned about coming off or tapering off side effects?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.