Steroids are a type of hormone that are made naturally in your body. They have many important jobs, including controlling your immune system and reducing swelling and redness (inflammation).
Steroids are a type of hormone that are made naturally in your body. They have many important jobs, including controlling your immune system and reducing swelling and redness (inflammation).
Steroid medicines – known as corticosteroids – are ‘copies’ of these hormones. They can help treat inflammation caused by various medical conditions, from skin conditions such as eczema to joint conditions such as arthritis.
Most steroids are only available with a prescription from a doctor. But a few – such as some creams or nasal sprays – can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets. As with any medication, you can get side effects from corticosteroids, especially if you’ve been taking them for a long time or at a high dose.
Here’s what you need to know about the side effects of steroids and how to manage them, so you can get the benefits of your medication.
There are 2 types of
medicines, which are used to treat different medical conditions:topical steroids– these are applied just to the area that needs treatment, such as your skin or eyes, and so they don’t get into your whole body. They include steroid drops, ointments and
, and . Drops can be used in the eyes to reduce inflammation, ointments and creams are used to help treat skin conditions such as and , inhalers help in the treatment of and nasal sprays are used to treat andsystemic steroids – these include
and . Tablets and injections into your bloodstream work throughout your whole body, to reduce inflammation when you have a long-term condition and there isn’t just 1 area to treat. Injections can also be used in a specific area where they’re needed, such as a joint, to try to target this area. Tablets are used to treat conditions such as asthma, and , while injections can help to treat problems such as andAlthough
have some medical uses and can be prescribed to treat certain conditions, they’re better known for being used illegally, without medical advice, to help build muscle and improve athletic performance.They’re completely different from corticosteroids. So don’t worry – you’re not going to develop big muscles if you need to use corticosteroids for a medical condition.
Many people who use corticosteroids don’t get side effects. You’re more likely to get them if you’re taking systemic steroids, such as tablets. The good news is that if you take them at low doses and for a short period of time, they won’t usually cause side effects that will seriously impact you.
Your risk of getting side effects mainly depends on:
Here’s what you need to know about side effects for each type of steroid.
Taking steroid tablets for less than 3 weeks isn’t likely to cause any significant side effects. But you may get some side effects if you need to take them for longer periods, at a high dose, or more than 3 to 4 times a year.
Side effects that affect more than 1 in 100 people taking steroid tablets include:
If you take steroid tablets at a high dose or for a long time, you’re more likely to get more serious side effects. Read more about
.Possible side effects depend on where the injection is given. If you have an injection into a joint or muscle, you may get pain and discomfort at the injection site for a few days, go red (flushed) in the face for a few hours, or notice a loss of fat or paler skin where the injection was given.
If you have an injection into your bloodstream or deep muscle, possible side effects are similar to those for steroid tablets (see above). Read more about
.Steroid inhalers usually cause few or no side effects, if used correctly and at normal doses.
Some people get side effects such as a sore mouth or throat, a hoarse or croaky voice, or thrush in the mouth (
). Read more about .Side effects are usually mild if nasal sprays are used correctly and at the normal doses.
Possible side effects include a stinging sensation in your nose, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, dryness or crustiness in your nose, and nosebleeds. Read more about
.If you use them correctly, steroids you apply to your skin rarely cause serious side effects. The most common side effect is a burning or stinging sensation when you put them on, but this usually gets better once your skin gets used to the cream.
Side effects are more likely if you’re using a very strong corticosteroid, or you use it for a long time or on a large area of skin. Read more about
.You’ve been prescribed steroid medicines because of a health problem you need to solve. If you get side effects, your doctor can review these with you and discuss your options, to make sure you get the treatment that’s right for you.
There are also some steps you can take to help prevent or minimise the impact of side effects.
Depending on the type of steroids you’re taking, the way you use them can help reduce the risk of side effects:
Your doctor will only prescribe steroids for you if they’re necessary, and will use topical steroids if possible. They’ll use the smallest dose needed to control your symptoms, for the shortest possible time, then gradually reduce the dose or stop them once your problem is controlled.
Depending on what you’re taking, they may also monitor your
and blood sugar levels. If you need to take steroids longer term, or take them frequently, they’ll also monitor your , and prescribe medication to maintain your bone health if needed.If you’re taking steroids at a high dose, or for more than a few weeks, your doctor may give you a steroid card. You should show this when you have any treatment from healthcare professionals (or tell them you’re taking steroids if you don’t have a card). They need to be aware that you need steroids, as your body may not be making enough of the steroid hormone cortisol. You may also need to be given extra steroids if you’re unwell.
You shouldn’t stop steroid treatment without speaking to your doctor first. This is because taking steroids for longer periods can affect the way you produce hormones – your body starts to rely on the medication, rather than making its own. Stopping suddenly can make you very unwell, and may also lead to your symptoms coming back.
You may need to gradually reduce your dose of steroids if:
Whether you get side effects from steroids can depend on what type and strength you’re taking, and how long you take them for. But if you’re concerned about any side effects or symptoms, speak to your doctor.
If you’re taking steroid tablets at a high dose or for longer than 3 weeks, you’re more likely to get side effects, some of which can be more serious. Read about
.You should call an ambulance or go to an emergency department if you have any of these serious side effects:
Answered by:
“For most people, topical steroids won’t weaken your immune system. These steroids are applied to your skin or taken as an inhaler or spray, and although some of the medicine can get into your bloodstream, it’s usually only a very small amount. This won’t cause any problems, unless strong topical steroids are used on large areas of the skin for a long time.”
Answered by:
“If the dose you’ve been prescribed is enough to reduce the level of inflammation in your particular condition, steroid tablets (such as prednisolone) generally work quickly – usually within 1 to 4 days. In fact, some people notice beneficial effects a few hours after taking their first dose.”
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.