What does prednisone do to you body? I know its a steroid, but what does it do exactly?

Question

I got prescribed 2 pills a day for 6 days......will that make me gain weight?

Answer 1

If you're only taking it for 6 days, it will have virtually NO noticeable side effects. (The ones mentioned are only with long-term use)
Don't worry.

Answer 2

Rockpool 248 has given you an excellent answer. I just wanted to add that my triplets took similar length courses of Pred (as it is affectionately known!!!!!) from very early toddler hood.

Yes, there are lots of contra indications. However, as Rockpool 248 says, there is nothing that works better and ccertainly in my boys cases, it kept them out of hospital (most of the time) and helped them feel much better far more quickly than they would otherwise. The only real thing I could say they suffer from having used it (and we are talking reasonably frequently over several years) is that they have very thin skin which doesnt tend to heal very well. Cuts often get bigger and bigger rather than heal as the skin just disintegrates on the outer edges. Grazes are the worst.

The point is that yes, the boys have thin skin which is most likely due to the pred, but they might not be with us at all or certainly may have had further complications due to asthma without the pred. It is an easy choice when you are there really. Only you know if you are very poorly and need this or not. But one 6 day course if very normal and wont do much harm to you if you are otherwise healthy.

Answer 3

Prednisone is used mainly for its anti-inflammatory action. It is used especially in treatment of exacerbations of asthma or other chronic obstructive airway disease, and inflammatory joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and many other autoimmune diseases. It is also an important med for transplant recipients to help prevent transplant rejection.
Prednisone also has many side effects. It can interfere with your metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and if you have diabetes, it can worsen your blood glucose levels.It is an immunosuppressant (it doesn't bump up your immune system as lucy said), and can make you more prone to infections. It also makes you retain more sodium and water, and you can become bloated/get swollen ankles etc. It makes you more alert, and you may have trouble falling asleep. It can make you irritable or emotionally labile, and in worst case scenario, you can become psychotic. It also tends to push your blood pressure skyward. If used on a regular and long term basis, it makes you gain weight, you get fat in your trunk and face but thin and weak in your muscles of the legs and arms, you are more prone to bruising, your skin doesn't heal well if you injure it, you can get more frequent stomach irritation, your bone will become more osteoporotic and may break more easily, you can have shrinkage of testicles, you can grow man-boobs, ladies can get hairy and grow beard and moustache, if you stop taking it abruptly, then you can pass out due to low blood pressure.
I'm sure there are a few more known side effects that I can't remember at the top of my head at the moment, but hey, I think I've given you enough, haven't I?
So why do we use it despite all the side effects? Because it works, and to date, we don't know what else works better.

Answer 4

It slows down your system, and you should be aware that it will make you gain weight, and make your face appear much more round than normal, these effects will last for a good 6 months after you have been taking the medication.

Answer 5

Using it for that short of a time will probably not make you gain weight.

Answer 6

it bumps up your immune system. ie. when you have a cold and need to get rid of it fast take the prednisone it will kick it within 24 hours. BUT on the bad side it does eat into your bone mass, makes you gain weight and it's not something to take unless under dr.'s orders

Answer 7

with all steriods one must take caution. A steriod basically to certain degrees (dose and frequency dependant) slows the function of organs with in the body . It is important not to abruptly stop them. Follow your physicians directions.

Answer 8

It reduces swelling .
I took it when I had Mono, and my tonsils were so swollen that they were touching!! Ouch!!
No, it will not cause weight gain for the short time you are taking them.

Answer 9

Picture taking a jar full of termites and putting them on wood.

It makes your bones brittle and messes up you liver. Read my page for the alternative.

Answer 10

It is used for inflammations. It aids in taking inflammations down.