Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If at all possible, don’t combine steroids with NSAIDs.
Taking steroid tablets for less than 3 weeks is unlikely to cause any significant side effects. But you may get some side effects if you need to take them for longer or at a high dose.
Steroid tablets taken for longer than 3 weeks can cause:
- increased appetite – which may lead to weight gain if you find it difficult to control what you eat.
- acne.
- rapid mood swings and mood changes – becoming aggressive, irritable and short-tempered with people.
- thin skin that bruises easily.
- muscle weakness.
Yes. Prednisone is one of several medications known to cause weight gain. This is usually more likely to happen with long-term use or higher doses.