Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, and breathing problems (1). But prednisone side effects are pretty serious.
According to the NHS (National Health Services):
“Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are an anti-inflammatory medicine prescribed for a wide range of conditions. They’re a man-made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands (two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys).” (2)
Other uses include severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. It’s typically taken orally in tablet or liquid form.
Oddly enough, the drug is also used to treat skin rashes, lupus, fungal infections, and even to prevent transplant rejection. You can find a whole list of the conditions treated by the drug here. But prednisone can have some serious side effects.
Why Prednisone Is Prescribed
Prednisone is a prescription drug that can only be obtained through licensed health care professionals like a doctor or pharmacist. It is a synthetic version of the hormone cortisone, a metabolite of cortisol, also know as the “stress hormone” (3).
This is because the hormone regulates, modifies, and influences your body’s reaction to stress, including:
- Blood sugar (glucose) levels
- Fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism to maintain blood glucose (gluconeogenesis)
- Immune responses and white blood cell count
- Anti-inflammatory actions
- Blood pressure
- Heart and blood vessel tone and contraction
- Central nervous system activation
Having too much cortisol in your system can lead to (4):
- Impaired cognitive performance
- Dampened thyroid function
- Blood sugar imbalances, such as hyperglycemia
- Decreased bone density
- Sleep disruption
- Decreased muscle mass
- Elevated blood pressure
- Lowered immune function
- Decreased white blood cell count
- Slow wound healing
- Increased abdominal fat
On the opposite end of the spectrum, too little can lead to:
- Brain fog, cloudy-headedness, and mild depression
- Low thyroid function
- Mood swings
- Blood sugar imbalances, such as hypoglycemia
- Fatigue – especially morning and mid-afternoon fatigue
- Sleep disruption
- Low blood pressure
- Lowered immune function
- Inflammation and inflammatory Conditions
In short, prednisone and other corticosteroids acts as an immunosuppressant by blocking the production of antibodies. This helps control an over-active immune system. The drug also works against inflammation to reduce heat, redness, swelling, and provide pain relief.