Does Prednisone make you pee a lot? (3 research studies confirmed) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Does Prednisone make you pee a lot?”. Prednisone is a Corticosteroid which is prescribed for a number of reasons. 

However, this medication is associated with a number of side effects, one of which includes frequent urination. This blog will cover prednisone acts this way and what could be done about it. We will also talk about some additional side effects and the proper use of this medication. 

Does Prednisone make you pee a lot?

Yes, Prednisone does make you pee a lot. It is one of the commonly reported side effects of this medication along with insomnia or inability to fall asleep. Prednisone is a Corticosteroid which can be used for the management and treatment of a number of health conditions. 

However, make sure you only take this medication if your healthcare provider has prescribed it. The unnecessary use of prednisone can result in a number of complications. 

What does research suggest? 

Several research studies have been conducted to explain why Prednisone makes you pee a lot. One research study indicated that Prednisone can significantly increase your urine output, but only at lower doses. 

To confirm this finding, an entire clinical trial was performed in which the test participants were divided into two groups, the Prednisone group and the placebo. 

After the course of the study, it was observed that higher doses of Prednisone did not show significant diuresis effects that were seen with the low doses of this medication. 

This indicates that you’re more likely to suffer from frequent urination as a side effect if you’re being treated with a low dose of Prednisone. Another study revealed that Prednisone, in fact, all Corticosteroids are capable of increasing your serum glucose levels. 

This means that the med increases the amount of glucose in your blood. We all are aware of the fact that increased urine output and thirst are considered the most common early signs of diabetes. 

The exact same happens when you’re taking Prednisone and it increases your blood glucose level. You won’t really have diabetes, but the increased BGL may make you feel like you do. This is another reason why you can experience frequent urination with Prednisone. 

The same study also indicated that it can cause other diabetes-related symptoms as well because of the very same reason. These include the fruity smell of your breath, increased hunger, inability to control your hunger, weight loss or gain, and many more. 

Make sure you steer clear of sugar while you’re being treated with Prednisone or any other Corticosteroid. Another case study indicated that steroids may make you retain water in your body. This is why some people may experience swelling in their upper or lower extremities. 

This is why you should always monitor your side effects properly. Inform your healthcare provider as soon as you can if you notice any unusual side effects. 

Prednisone is usually prescribed for a short period of time and these side effects generally resolve when the treatment with this medication is stopped. However, if your treatment has been stopped but you continue to suffer from Prednisone-induced side effects, you should immediately talk to your doctor. 

Prednisone can cause irreversible damage to some people and if you’re one of those unfortunate ones, you should seek immediate medical attention for the effective management and treatment of your symptoms. 

However, several studies suggest that Prednisone affects people differently. Just like we all look different, have different shades of our hair and skin, have different body types, and have different facial features, similarly, every human being has a different physiological composition. 

Some have more liver enzymes, while others lack some basic ones. Some are tough and can bear powerful medications, whereas others may suffer from side effects even after taking the safest medication in the entire world. 

This is why it is absolutely impossible to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to Prednisone. 

What are the additional side effects associated with the use of Prednisone? 

Prednisone is associated with the following side effects:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Headache 
• Bloating 
• High blood sugar levels
• High blood cholesterol levels
• Upset stomach 
• Abdominal pain 
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Dizziness 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Restlessness 
• Confusion 
• Hirsutism or increased hair growth 
• Skin problems 
• Menstrual problems in women

Prednisone can also cause some rare and serious side effects which may require immediate medical attention. Make sure you reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can if you suffer from the following side effects:

• An allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Swelling of tongue, lips, eyes, gums, throat etc
• Blurry vision 
• Pain in your eyes
• Abnormal behaviour
• Suicidal thoughts 
• Infection
• Unusually dark-coloured stool
• Unbearable pain and weakness in your muscles 

These side effects can vary from person to person. Some people can suffer from side effects that may not have been mentioned here. Make sure you monitor your side effects properly and inform your doctor if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect. 

How to ensure the proper use of Prednisone? 

Ensuring the proper use of Prednisone is the main key to achieving your desired therapeutic goals. First and the most important thing is to make sure that you are not allergic to Prednisone. 

If you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect right after taking your first ever Prednisone dose, then this med is not a good choice of medication for you. 

To prevent that from happening, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the excipients present in the formulation to make sure it does not contain anything that you know you’re allergic to. 

It is also extremely important to inform your doctor about all the meds you have been taking before you take Prednisone. Medications don’t always go well together. 

Some meds are highly incompatible with one another. Some meds are incompatible in terms of the side effects as they all cause the same kind of side effects that may become too much for you to bear. This is why you should inform your doctor if you have been taking anything like:

• Anticoagulants or oral blood thinning agents, like Warfarin, Clopidogrel, etc. 
• Medications used to treat arthritis 
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin
• Some antibiotics, including Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Erythromycin, etc. 
• Immunosuppressive agents like Cyclosporine
• Some antifungal agents like Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, etc. 
• Oral Contraceptives 
• Benzodiazepines 
• Bronchodilators

Prednisone may decrease your immunity somehow. This is why make sure you inform your healthcare provider if you have some kind of a fungal infection before taking this medication. This medication can also interfere with some underlying health conditions that you may have. 

Make sure you properly give us your medical history and inform your doctor if you have any kidney, liver, heart, or metabolic diseases. Your doctor may not prescribe you Prednisone if there is any chance of the drug producing a negative impact on your pre-existing diseases. 

You should definitely inform your healthcare provider if you are a heavy drinker. The concomitant use of Prednisone and alcohol can make you suffer terribly. This is because Methylprednisolone can enhance the gastrointestinal side effects of alcohol and other GIT irritants. 

The drug can make your stomach weak and can increase the chances of ulcer formation. It is also very important to inform your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Your doctor may adjust the dose or look for the safety concerns of using this medication by pregnant mothers. 

It is also important to inform your doctor if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Always make sure to monitor the side effects Prednisone is causing in you and try to manage them properly. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed Prednisone-induced frequent urination. It is one of the commonly reported side effects of this medication along with insomnia or inability to fall asleep.

Prednisone is a Corticosteroid which can be used for the management and treatment of a number of health conditions. However, make sure you only take this medication if your healthcare provider has prescribed it. 

The unnecessary use of prednisone can result in a number of complications. It is also important to manage your blood glucose levels while you’re being treated with Prednisone or any other Corticosteroid. 

FAQs: Does prednisone make you pee 

Can prednisone cause frequent urination?

Yes, Prednisone can cause frequent urination. It is one of the commonly reported side effects of this medication along with insomnia or inability to fall asleep. Prednisone is a Corticosteroid which can be used for the management and treatment of a number of health conditions. However, make sure you only take this medication if your healthcare provider has prescribed it. The unnecessary use of prednisone can result in a number of complications. 

What are the most common side effects of prednisone?

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Headache 
• Bloating 
• High blood sugar levels
• High blood cholesterol levels
• Upset stomach 
• Abdominal pain 
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Dizziness 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Restlessness 
• Confusion 

Do steroids make you go to the bathroom?

Yes, steroids can make you go to the bathroom more frequently. Corticosteroids are capable of increasing your serum glucose levels. This means that the med increases the amount of glucose in your blood. We all are aware of the fact that increased urine output and thirst are considered the most common early signs of diabetes. The exact same happens when you’re taking steroids and it increases your blood glucose level. You won’t really have diabetes, but the increased BGL may make you feel like you do. 

What is the downside of taking prednisone?

• An allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of the skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Swelling of tongue, lips, eyes, gums, throat etc
• Blurry vision 
• Pain in your eyes
• Abnormal behaviour
• Suicidal thoughts 
• Infection
• Unusually dark-coloured stool
• Unbearable pain and weakness in your muscles 

What should you not take with Prednisone? 

You should inform your doctor if you have been taking anything like:

• Anticoagulants or oral blood thinning agents, like Warfarin, Clopidogrel, etc. 
• Medications used to treat arthritis 
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin
• Some antibiotics, including Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Erythromycin, etc. 
• Immunosuppressive agents like Cyclosporine
• Some antifungal agents like Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, etc. 
• Oral Contraceptives 
• Benzodiazepines 
• Bronchodilators

References