Gut side effects Description: corticosteroids can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain/cramps in the stomach and/or acid reflux. These symptoms are mild and can be treated relatively easily by your doctor. The risk of a more serious complication (e.g. peptic ulcer, pancreatic inflammation, colon infection) is much lower. Frequency: about 10% of [...]
Topical corticosteroids Corticosteroids applied to the skin rarely induce adverse side effects, although certain ones have been observed during prolonged treatment with high doses of powerful forms of topical corticosteroids(e.g., cataract, diabetes...). Local side effects can also occur: fragility of the skin, difficulty healing cuts, spontaneous bruising caused by minor trauma and stretch [...]
Inhaled corticosteroids Inhaled corticosteroids, while much better tolerated by patients compared to pills or injections, may also cause side effects when taken for several months at high doses. These effects can include cataracts, osteoporosis and adrenal insufficiency. However, these side effects are very rare. Moreover, when taken orally in the airways, corticosteroids can [...]
Other side effects Cortisone can cause some rare side effects that are less well known in the medical world. For example, a small tremble of the hands is reported by 20-25% of patients. When doses of cortisone are reduced, this symptom goes away. Changes in the voice and hair loss are other side [...]
Sodium level Contrary to popular belief, steroids do not cause changed in blood sodium level
Potassium level Description: treatment with corticosteroids may cause a mild decrease in blood potassium levels (serum potassium levels) but this has never been clearly demonstrated. Frequency: unknown Prevention/treatment: some doctors routinely combine the corticosteroid therapy with potassium supplementation. Screening: when required, a blood test may assess the blood level of potassium. Useful references [...]
Cholesterol and triglycerides Description: corticosteroids may result in higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. This increase does not trigger symptoms in the short-term. However, in the long-term this change may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Frequency: little is currently known about the frequency of cholesterol and triglyceride side effects [...]
Diabetes Description: in most cases, diabetes does not create symptoms and is diagnosed upon a blood screening. When there are symptoms, it may be an unusual combination of thirst and/or frequent urination. Frequency: certain studies have estimated that about 5% of patients treated with cortisone have developed diabetes in the year following treatment. [...]
Adrenal insufficiency Description: adrenal insufficiency (or "weakness" of the adrenal glands) occurs only when the steroid treatment stops or is abruptly terminated (generally, when the dose falls below 5 mg per day). This is a very rare complication. The symptoms include unusual fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss and sometimes fever. Frequency: once long-term [...]
Sex-related side effects Description: for women undergoing treatment with cortisone, some changes in the menstrual cycle may be experienced. Menstruations can be longer or shorter than usual. Men have reported on occasion that they had decreased libido and/or erectile dysfunction during corticosteroid therapy. Frequency: the frequency of the sexual side effects caused by [...]