Search results
Aug 11, 2023 · Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly. Learn how to taper off prednisone gradually to avoid severe fatigue, nausea, and other side effects.
- Overview
- Causes of prednisone withdrawal
- Symptoms of prednisone withdrawal
- Preventing withdrawal
- Talk to your doctor
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Introduction
Prednisone is a drug that suppresses your immune system and reduces inflammation. It’s used to treat many conditions, including:
•psoriasis
•rheumatoid arthritis
•ulcerative colitis
Although prednisone withdrawal usually happens after long-term treatment, it can happen after short-term treatment as well. Stopping the drug or reducing your use too quickly may lead to withdrawal.
Prednisone is a man-made steroid. It’s very similar to cortisol, a hormone your body makes naturally.
Cortisol helps to regulate your:
•blood pressure
•heart rate
•response to stress
Your body generally works to make sure there’s a consistent level of cortisol.
Prednisone withdrawal is different from how we typically imagine withdrawal.
That is, prednisone withdrawal doesn’t cause you to crave prednisone. It’s not a medication that causes symptoms of addiction. Still, it does affect your body physically, and it can disrupt several of your body’s functions.
The symptoms of prednisone withdrawal can include:
•severe fatigue
•weakness
•body aches
Your healthcare provider will slowly taper your dosage to help prevent prednisone withdrawal. How long this process takes depends on:
•how much prednisone your healthcare provider prescribed to treat your condition
•how long you’ve been using it
•what you take it for
A prednisone taper could take weeks, but it usually takes 1 month or longer. There’s no specific time frame for tapering that’ll work for everyone.
You can also do other things to help ramp up your body’s cortisol production.
It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s dosing instructions when taking prednisone and especially when stopping it. Taking the drug properly will go a long way in helping you prevent prednisone withdrawal.
Still, withdrawal is possible even when you follow all instructions because individual tapering results can vary. That’s why it’s very important to watch out for symptoms of withdrawal.
Prednisone withdrawal can cause fatigue, weakness, joint pain, and other symptoms 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.
May 30, 2024 · Prednisone withdrawal can cause fatigue, joint pain, fever, and other symptoms due to a lack of cortisol. Learn why you should taper off prednisone slowly and what to do if you have withdrawal symptoms.
- Susan Bernstein
Feb 12, 2024 · Prednisone is a steroid that suppresses the immune system and can cause adrenal insufficiency when stopped abruptly. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of prednisone withdrawal, such as fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain, and how to taper the drug safely under a doctor's guidance.
Aug 26, 2022 · The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months. Contact your doctor if you experience prednisone withdrawal symptoms as you are tapering off the drug.
Learn how to taper prednisone slowly to avoid withdrawal side effects like fatigue, joint pain, mood swings or adrenal crisis. See an example of a common prednisone tapering schedule and find out why you need to taper prednisone.
People also ask
What are the symptoms of prednisone withdrawal?
What happens if you don't taper prednisone?
How long does it take to taper off prednisone?
What happens if you abruptly stop taking prednisone?
Should I taper a prednisone pack?
How long does prednisone withdrawal last?
Oct 29, 2020 · Learn why you should taper off prednisone gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and nausea. Find out how to use a prednisone taper pack or adjust your dosage yourself, and what home remedies can help you manage the process.
