When do the side effects of Prednisone start? 

When do the side effects of Prednisone start? 

The side effects of Prednisone start within a few hours to a few days of starting your treatment. Common gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, heartburn and abdominal pain can be experienced just after a few hours of taking your tablets. 

However, psychological side effects like mood/behavioural changes, depression, confusion, etc can start within 2-3 days of your treatment. 

The duration of treatment with Prednisone is usually short and the side effects begin to subside soon. However, some people may take longer to recover from Prednisone-induced side effects as compared to others.

Common side effects associated with Prednisone use

Prednisone is commonly associated with the following side effects (1):

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Diarrhoea 
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness 
  • Fatigue 
  • Insomnia 
  • Mood and behavioural changes
  • Acne
  • Skin and hair thinning
  • Slow healing of wounds 
  • Muscle weakness 
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Menstrual problems 
  • Loss of libido 
  • Excessive sweating 

It is important to note that not everyone taking Prednisone will experience these side effects. 

The incidence and severity of these side effects can vary, depending on factors like an individual’s age, weight, duration of treatment with Prednisone, any other pre-existing health condition, genetics, and overall health status.

This is why you need to keep an eye on your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider. Some people could be allergic to Prednisone or may experience rare side effects.

However, these side effects get better as the concentration of the drug drops down in your body. Prednisone typically stays in your system for about 12 to 20 hours.

Prednisone can also make you susceptible to certain types of bacterial infections and the concomitant use of Prednisone and antibiotics like Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, etc can cause side effects.

Important point: Beware of the allergic reaction to Prednisone 

Some people could be allergic to Prednisone and there’s no way to predict that before actually taking the medication. 

If you begin to exhibit signs of an allergic reaction soon after taking your first-ever Prednisone dose, immediately reach out to your healthcare provider. Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are

  • Skin rash, itching, burning sensation, blisters, etc. 
  • Swelling of eyes, tongue, lips, throat, hands or feet
  • Difficulty in breathing 
  • Wheezing 
  • Hoarseness 
  • Chest tightness 

These side effects indicate an allergic reaction and you should seek immediate medical attention. Prednisone may not suit everyone and if it is causing you harm, your doctor will make you stop taking this medication. 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

References

1.-

MedlinePlus. Prednisone: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Dec 28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html