Side effects are more likely if corticosteroids are taken at a high dose over a long period of time.
Not everyone will develop side effects from taking corticosteroids. Side effects from injected corticosteroids may include: Side effects from topical corticosteroids may include: Side effects from inhaled corticosteroids may include:
facial swelling or puffiness (fluid retention). Side effects from oral steroids may include: Some may also cause high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. However, most side effects come from oral steroids.Īll corticosteroid types can put you at risk of developing fungal infections. Some side effects can occur with topical, inhaled, and injected steroids. What are the side effects of corticosteroids? In people who have just had an organ transplant, corticosteroids help suppress the immune system to reduce the chance of your body rejecting the organ. Corticosteroids can make up the difference. When someone with rheumatoid arthritis has a flare, a corticosteroid injection can provide fast relief to an inflamed joint.Īddison’s disease occurs when your body doesn’t make enough cortisol, causing weakness and fatigue among other symptoms. They also affect how white blood cells work and reduce the activity of the immune system. Corticosteroids can decrease the inflammation and prevent damage. Sometimes the immune system doesn’t work correctly, and attacks your body’s own organs, bones, or tissues. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Īutoimmune diseases are frequently treated with this class of drugs. Health conditions that doctors often treat with corticosteroids include: We’ll explore how this important class of drugs is used to treat a wide range of health conditions, what forms corticosteroids take, and potential side effects.Ĭorticosteroids are used to treat everything from seasonal allergies to life-threatening organ inflammation. Corticosteroids can provide substantial relief of symptoms, but come with the risk of serious side effects, especially if used long term. Cortisol is a major player in a wide range of biological processes, including metabolism, immune response, and stress.īecause corticosteroids ease swelling and irritation, doctors often prescribe them to treat conditions like asthma, hives, or lupus. At higher doses, corticosteroids also reduce immune system activity.Ĭorticosteroids resemble cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by our body’s adrenal glands. 
They lower inflammation in the body by reducing the production of certain chemicals. Side effects can depend on the type of corticosteroid, such as inhaled or topical.Ĭorticosteroids are a class of human-made or synthetic drugs used in almost every medical specialty. Doctors often prescribe them to treat conditions like asthma, hives, or lupus. Corticosteroids ease swelling and irritation.
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