Other than hirsutism, adverse effects of prednisone include:
Metabolic changes: negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism
Cardiovascular changes: hypertension, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, myocardial rupture after recent myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, tachycardia, thromboembolism, and vasculitis
Endocrine changes: decreased carbohydrate tolerance, abnormal fat deposits, development of cushingoid state, manifestations of latent diabetes, moon face, and secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness
Dermatologic changes: acne, cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy, dry scalp, edema, impaired wound healing, rash, striae, thin fragile skin, thinning hair on the scalp, and urticaria
Fluid and electrolyte disturbances: hypertension, fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, and sodium retention
Gastrointestinal issues: abdominal distention, elevated serum liver enzymes levels, hiccups, nausea, pancreatitis, ulcer, and ulcerative esophagitis
Musculoskeletal issues: Charcot-like arthropathy, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteonecrosis of femoral and humeral heads, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, and vertebral compression fractures
Neurologic symptoms: convulsions, emotional instability, headache, insomnia, meningitis, mood swings, neuropathy, paresthesia, personality changes, and vertigo
Ophthalmic changes: central serous chorioretinopathy, glaucoma, exophthalmos, increased intraocular pressure, and posterior subcapsular cataracts
Reproductive signs: alteration in sperm count and motility
Learn more about prednisone.
Medscape © 2022 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Rapid Rx Quiz: Myasthenia Gravis Treatments - Medscape - Mar 15, 2022.
Comments