Information about steroid injections is covered on a different page. You might not be able to start steroids if you have an infection, or if you have any wounds on your body, as steroids might delay these getting better or cover up some of your symptoms.
Steroids might affect some medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart or blood pressure problems, or mental health issues. If you have systemic sclerosis , prednisolone could cause problems with your kidneys at certain doses, so you might not be able to take this type of steroid.
Some other skin problems, such as rosacea, acne and ulcers, can be made worse by steroid creams so you might not be able to take them if you have any of these conditions. If you normally wear contact lenses, you might need to avoid wearing these while having treatment with steroid eye drops. Steroids are taken in different ways, and the dosage may vary depending on the condition you have. The table below gives an idea of how often you might need to take steroids.
You will be given the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time, to reduce the risk of side effects. Your dose will probably be reduced gradually as your symptoms improve, or your doctor might suggest a weaker medication. As with all medicines, some people will have side effects. You might also be given a drug called a proton pump inhibitor or another medicine to protect your stomach.
Treatment with steroids may cause changes in mood — you may feel very high or very low. This may be more common in people with a previous history of mood disturbance. Taking steroid tablets for a long time can make you more likely to get infections. See your doctor or the person treating you straight away if you develop chickenpox, shingles or measles, or if you come into contact with someone who has any of these illnesses.
Sometimes these diseases can be severe in people who are taking steroids, and you might need to have other treatment before you start to get better. Steroids taken for a long time can also cause your muscles to become weaker, and they might occasionally affect periods in women. If you're taking high doses of steroids, or if you're on them for more than three weeks, you'll need to carry a steroid card.
This will have information on your dose and how long you've been taking them for. Your doctor, rheumatology nurse or pharmacist should give you a steroid card if you need one. Make sure any change to your dose of steroid is updated on the card. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have headaches, nose bleeds, blurred or double vision or shortness of breath. Your nurse will check your blood pressure regularly.
You might feel dizzy and you may feel as though the room is spinning. This is vertigo. Let your doctor or nurse know if this happens.
Steroids can increase the number of white blood cells in your blood. Your doctor might see this on a full blood count test. You might have more body hair than usual. Your head hair may thin.
This is usually not noticeable by other people but can be upsetting. Your legs may feel weaker and walking or climbing stairs may be more difficult. You may have aching muscles for a short while after stopping treatment. You might have an allergic reaction to steroids, causing a skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face or throat, breathing difficulties, fever and chills. Tell your nurse or doctor immediately if at any time you feel odd or strange. Steroids might cause growth problems in babies, children and teenagers.
A low level of potassium in the blood is called hypokalaemia. You might have blood tests during cancer treatment to check for this. You might have a burning or tingling sensation around your bottom during a steroid injection into a vein intravenous.
It usually goes once the injection finishes. Your nurse will give the injection slowly to try and prevent this. Blood clots can develop in the deep veins of your body, usually the leg. This is called deep vein thrombosis DVT. This drug can cause inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis. Tell your doctor straight away if you have sudden and severe pain in your tummy abdomen.
You might have liver changes that are usually mild and unlikely to cause symptoms. They usually go back to normal when treatment finishes. You have regular blood tests to check for any changes in the way your liver is working.
Keep away from people who have chicken pox or shingles whilst taking steroids if you have never had these illnesses. They could make you very ill. Cancer drugs can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking. Search Login.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic. How long should I be on steroid treatment for? Steroids How effective are steroids in IBD? How do I take it? Chronic Pain Medicines. Cholesterol-lowering Medicines.
Digoxin: A Medicine for Heart Problems. Path to improved safety Steroids are effective and lifesaving medicines. Things to consider It may take your body a few weeks or months to make more steroids on its own. Do not stop taking your steroid medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take other medicines at the same time as steroids without asking your doctor first. This includes over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions.
If you feel sick while your steroid medicine is being reduced, tell your doctor right away. Consider buying a bracelet with your medical information on it. If you become unconscious, this bracelet will tell health workers that you take steroids. Always tell health care workers if you are taking steroid medicine. Questions for your doctor What type of steroid medicine do I need to take? How long do I have to take it? What will happen once you start to reduce the amount?
What should I do if I have steroid withdrawal symptoms?
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