The good news is that, if it’s decided that prednisone is needed, some side effects can be managed with careful planning. Still, it’s important to know how and when to stop taking the drug, as it is recommended only for short-term use.
While the list is long, the good news is that most prednisone side effects will lessen and go away when the drug is appropriately tapered and eventually discontinued. This must be done slowly over a period of time to prevent problems with the adrenal glands.
Reducing the amount of prednisone taken and stopping it as soon as possible should be the goal of IBD treatment, but this must be done under a healthcare provider’s supervision.
In the meantime, working closely with your healthcare provider to address adverse effects will help lessen their impact on daily life.
IBD must be kept in mind when considering what acne treatments can be tried, but there are solutions that can help improve your skin.
With the help of your healthcare provider and perhaps a nutritionist, you can put a plan in place to help you lose weight (if needed) and avoid gaining it in the first place.
Often called “moon face,” it will go away when the prednisone is discontinued. Find out more about swelling in the face and neck while taking prednisone.
This effect may be avoided or mitigated by taking steps such as taking calcium supplements, quitting smoking, and engaging in weight-bearing exercise.
Given this, it’s important to not only know the symptoms of cataracts so you can bring them to your healthcare provider’s attention as early as possible if they occur, but to also know other risk factors and ways you can work to prevention this condition.
That said, 2020 guidelines still recommend corticosteroids for those who are hospitalized with ulcerative colitis as a way to reduce the chance that surgery will be needed. The recommendations, however, suggest that lower doses be used than in the past and only for a period of up to seven days (treatment beyond seven days is unlikely to be effective).
