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What happens if you don't taper prednisone?
What happens if you stop prednisone too quickly?
How long does it take to taper off prednisone?
What are the symptoms of prednisone withdrawal?
How long does prednisone withdrawal last?
Why is prednisone tapering important?
May 30, 2024 · Prednisone is a steroid that treats inflammation, but it can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop it too quickly. Learn what to expect, how to taper off safely, and how to cope with the side effects.
- Susan Bernstein
Aug 11, 2023 · Learn why prednisone tapering is necessary to avoid withdrawal symptoms and how to do it gradually. Find out what to expect, how to deal with side effects, and what alternatives to prednisone are available.
- Carol Eustice
- 1 min
- Overview
- Why do prednisone withdrawal symptoms happen?
- Symptoms of prednisone withdrawal
- When to contact a doctor
- Treatment and home remedies
- How to stop taking prednisone safely
- Why use prednisone?
- Outlook
- Summary
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Prednisone is a steroid-type drug. When a person stops taking prednisone or other steroids abruptly, they may notice symptoms including lethargy, low appetite, weight loss, and a general feeling of being unwell.
Prednisone is a glucocorticoid — a type of corticosteroid — that doctors prescribe to treat swelling and inflammation. It relieves swelling, itching, and inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Doctors should prescribe the lowest possible dose of prednisone to meet a person’s health needs. This is because of the risk of adverse effects.
When a person needs to stop taking prednisone, a doctor will recommend doing so gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Prednisone is a glucocorticoid, which is a synthetic steroid that works to mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone that the adrenal glands produce.
Some people refer to cortisol as the stress hormone. However, cortisol does much more than manage stress. The body also uses cortisol to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure.
Without medication, the body naturally maintains a consistent level of cortisol.
However, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), when a person takes prednisone for longer than a few weeks, the body will reduce the amount of cortisol it makes.
When a person suddenly stops taking prednisone, the body cannot immediately produce enough cortisol to make up for the missing drug. This results in withdrawal symptoms.
While the adrenal glands make most of the body’s cortisol, many different types of cells in the body have cortisol receptors.
When the body is not producing enough cortisol to compensate for the missing prednisone, a person can experience a range of symptoms while the body readjusts. This is known as adrenal insufficiency.
People who stop using prednisone after a long time may experience symptoms such as:
•muscle pain
•joint pain
•fatigue
•nausea
People who are using prednisone should check with a doctor before stopping or reducing their dose.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of prednisone withdrawal after reducing the dose or stopping the medication should consult a doctor.
Treatment for prednisone withdrawal focuses on managing the symptoms and controlling the body’s cortisol production.
Some lifestyle choices that can help manage prednisone withdrawal symptoms include:
•getting enough sleep
•using strategies to manage stress
•avoiding or limiting caffeine and alcohol
•eating a varied and nutritious diet
To stop taking prednisone safely, a person will need to reduce their dosage gradually. However, it is important to do this under the guidance of a doctor. A doctor will provide a person with specific instructions on how to stop taking the medication.
To help prevent prednisone withdrawal, a person can take the following precautions while using prednisone and during the taper period afterward:
•stick to the recommended dosage and not take more than the doctor prescribes
•taper the dose according to the doctor’s instructions
•avoid suddenly stopping prednisone treatment
When a person first starts decreasing the amount of prednisone, they may experience aching or tiredness. This is common. However, they should contact a doctor if these symptoms do not resolve over 7 days.
Doctors prescribe prednisone for numerous conditions, including:
•endocrine disorders that lead to low cortisone levels
•rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis
•diseases that affect collagen, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus
•severe allergies and asthma
•some skin conditions, such as severe psoriasis
Symptoms are typically self-limiting and will resolve with time. People will recover from prednisone withdrawal once their body begins producing enough cortisol again.
However, the duration of symptomatic withdrawal will vary according to the dosage of prednisone the person was taking and the length of treatment.
Prednisone is a synthetic steroid that mimics the effects of cortisol in the body. When a person takes prednisone for extended periods, the body decreases the amount of cortisol it produces.
When a person stops taking prednisone, they can experience withdrawal symptoms until the body begins producing sufficient amounts of cortisol. Common withdrawal symptoms can include fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
Prednisone is a steroid that suppresses the immune system and can cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly. Learn how to avoid prednisone withdrawal by tapering the dose gradually and what to do if you experience symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
Aug 26, 2022 · If you abruptly stop taking prednisone or taper off too quickly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including: Severe fatigue. Weakness. Body aches. Joint pain. Nausea. Loss of appetite. Lightheadedness. Irritability or mood swings.
Dec 21, 2019 · Prednisone withdrawal can cause fatigue, weakness, and joint pain when you stop taking the drug too quickly. Learn how to prevent withdrawal by following your healthcare provider's instructions and tips to boost your cortisol production.
Abruptly stopping prednisone or tapering too quickly can lead to withdrawal side effects like fatigue, joint pain, mood swings or may worsen your medical condition. In some cases, adrenal crisis can occur, which is a life-threatening emergency.
May 30, 2023 · Learn about the common and serious side effects of prednisone, a corticosteroid immunosuppressant used to treat inflammatory diseases. Find out how to taper off prednisone safely and what to avoid while taking it.
