Side Effects of Corticosteroid Pills and Injections
Side effects of long-term use of corticosteroid pills or injections are quite common and can be dangerous. They may include high blood pressure, infections, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, psychosis, and osteoporosis, as well as weight gain, fluid retention, irregular menstruation, acne, excess hair growth, bruising, irritability, and insomnia. You should also avoid combining corticosteroids with ibuprofen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because it can increase their side effects.
Corticosteroids should be discontinued only under a doctor's supervision, because rapid withdrawal is risky. Why? These steroids are synthetic versions of hormones usually produced by your adrenal glands. Once your body gets used to being supplied with artificial steroids, the adrenal glands may not immediately resume vital hormone production.
