Prednisone Side Effects in Men

Corticosteroids or simply steroids are usually prescribed for treating certain diseases. Prednisone is one such corticosteroid that is used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, adrenal cortex insufficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, thyroid gland diseases, ulcerative colitis, allergies, psoriasis, blood disorders, multiple sclerosis, etc. As there are numerous benefits of this drug, it is one of the most popular and widely used drugs. However, there are also several side effects associated with this drug. Here we will see more on prednisone side effects in men.

Side Effects of Prednisone in Men

Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, indigestion, etc., are some of the common side effects caused due to intake of majority of corticosteroids and antibiotics. However, along with these, there can be several potential side effects of prednisore. Steroid induced osteoporosis is one of the most significant side effects of prednisone observed in men. Steroids decrease the calcium absorption capacity of the body which results in bone fractures and diseases like osteoporosis. Apart from this, here is a list of some of the major as well as minor prednisone side effects in men.

Minor Side Effects

The following are the minor or short-term side effects of prednisone observed in case of men.

• Increase or loss of appetite
• Acidity
• Mood swings
• Increased excitement
• Hiccups
• Nervousness
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Nausea

Severe Side Effects

The following is a list of possible long-term or severe side effects associated with prednisone intake:

• Convulsions
• Difficulty in breathing
• Bulging of eyes
• Cataracts
• Confusion
• Abdominal distension
• Abnormal heart rate
• Reddening of face
• Hives
• Fluid retention
• Enlarged liver
• Inflammation of esophagus
• Muscle weakness / pain
• Abnormal heart rate
• Osteoporosis
• Peptic ulcer
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Vertigo

It is essential to note here that not all of these symptoms will be observed on taking prednisone. As mentioned, these are only the potential side effects which can be possibly observed. There may even be a case that you observe only the minor symptoms, or observe no side effects at all. On the other hand, this list is not exhaustive and some people may also observe a few completely different symptoms than those mentioned above.

If a person continues taking prednisone for a long time, he is at a high risk of suffering from heart diseases. Increased blood pressure, or hypertension and high blood sugar or diabetes are also some of the severe prednisone side effects in men. Prednisone and weight gain are also related to each other as it is observed that large number of males suffer from weight gain when on these drugs.

Now, the question arises, what to do if you suffer from these side effects? Firstly, you should NEVER stop taking the drug abruptly. There are also many prednisone withdrawal effects which can be as severe as the side effects. Therefore, one of the safest way is to consult the doctor immediately and inform him about any side effects that you observe at any period, during the course of the treatment. The doctor will either change the prescribed drug or will reduce the dosage to ease the side effects. It is also advisable to avoid taking any steroids without a prescription, as it can lead to overdose, which can be dangerous. On the other hand, steroids are only meant for short-term use and should be taken only in prescribed amounts.

Benefits of prednisone are often greater than the hazards of side effects. Also, people may not even experience a single side effect, and the drug can help in getting rid of the disease. But, it is only wise to consult the doctor and keep him informed about all the effects of the drug in order to prevent serious complications. Lastly, note that this information is not to be substituted for medical consultation. Take care!