Side Effects of Prednisone Shot

Prednisone is a popularly prescribed drug, recommended by doctors for treating a wide range of medical conditions. The primary therapeutic effect of Prednisone is to reduce the body's immune responses, exhibited when exposed to certain diseases or after organ transplantation. Sold under the brand names Prednicen-M, Deltasone, Liquid Pred and Orasone, Prednisone side effects are reported in many patients. Here, we will discuss the side effects of Prednisone shot in detail.

Prednisone Shot Information

So, what is Prednisone? Chemically, it is a synthetic glucocorticoid, classified under the class steroid or corticosteroid. When delivered in the body, it mimics hydrocortisone hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It is administered in the form of oral tablets, oral solution and shots. The tablets are formulated in dosages 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg, while the strength of a solution is 1 mg/ml. While patients advocate oral tablets and solutions, doctors deliver Prednisone shot intravenously.

Adverse Effects of Prednisone Shot

In all patients, Prednisone treatment is started with a lower dosage, which is gradually increased according to the patient's responses towards the drug. And one of the major concerning issues with this synthetic hormone is necessity for prolonged treatment to get effective results. Hence, much of the Prednisone shot side effects are attributed to long-term administration of the drugs. Following are some of the probable side effects of Prednisone shot:

Drug Interaction: Interaction with other therapeutic medication increases the risk of side effects. When taken in conjunction with Phenytoin or estrogen, the drug action of Prednisone is altered in the body. Hence, a patient may need to take a lowered dose or increased dose of this cortisol hormone.

Skin Condition: As with any other type of injections, the recipient of Prednisone shot may experience skin symptoms near the injection site. The observed signs are swelling, pain and mild inflammation at the areas. In rare cases, lightening of the skin tone in the particular injection area is seen, which subsides gradually.

Adrenal Gland Atrophy: After the extended usage of this synthetic hormone, the adrenal glands reduce their function of secreting normal amount of cortisol. Consider this, while quitting Prednisone or Prednisone withdrawal, the concentration is tapered gradually. Doing so encourages the adrenal glands to start functioning normally.

Bone Problem: Many patients who have taken Prednisone tablets for a long time complain of bone related complications. The same is with Prednisone injections. Osteoporosis is an adverse effect, observed especially in women. Hence, the concerned physician often recommends calcium and other supplements to combat such problems.

Weak Immune System: Speaking more about the side effects of Prednisone shot, it weakens the immune system. Hence, patients who have relied on these injections manifest increased risk of infectious diseases. As a consequence, the effectiveness of antibiotics and vaccines are reduced to a certain extent.

Other Side Effects: In addition to the above Prednisone shot side effects, it may cause other medical conditions, such as elevated blood pressure, blood sugar levels and irregular menstrual cycle in women. These effects occur rarely with a single or occasional shot. Usually, doctors restrict Prednisone injections to less than 4 times in a year.

In some patients, Prednisone medication in the form of tablets or shots are essential to treat the underlying health problems. At times, the effects are predictable but unavoidable. In such cases, delivering correct Prednisone dosage under strict medical supervision is essential for minimizing the adverse effects. Also, the patient should disclose medical history and current medications (if any) to the concerned doctor to avoid worse responses.