Prednisone is a steroid that works by changing how your immune system works. It is a pill that you will take by mouth each morning.
Side effects of prednisone
High pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
Leg swelling
Higher blood sugar (worsening diabetes)
High blood pressure
Mood swings
Weight gain
Trouble sleeping
Long term side effects of prednisone
Cataracts
High blood sugar (causing or worsening diabetes)
Higher risk of infections
Slow wound healing
Loss of calcium from your bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
More bruising than normal
Menstrual irregularities
Prednisone dosage instructions
If you are taking more than 20 mg of prednisone each day for more than one month you should take extra precaution. Start taking 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D each day, unless you have been told not to by a doctor. Talk with your doctor before getting live vaccines, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), nasal flu mist, varicella, Zostavax (shingles), yellow fever, typhoid, and live poliovirus. Get a flu shot each year, unless you have been told not to by your doctor.