Discuss any concerns or queries with your Pharmacist or GP. Please take time to read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. your age – young children and the elderly are more likely to experience side effects. the length of treatment – you’re more likely to develop side effects if you take steroid tablets for more than 3 weeks.the dose – the higher the dose, the greater the risk of developing side effects.the type of steroid you’re taking – steroid tablets (oral corticosteroids) are more likely to cause side effects.The risk of experiencing side effects depends on: Side effectsĬorticosteroids are powerful medications that can sometimes have side effects. However, prolonged treatment at high doses can cause problems in some people. There aren’t usually any severe side effects if you take steroid injections, a steroid inhaler, or a short course of steroid tablets. However, continued treatment will not be recommended if: If your illness is severe and corticosteroids are effective, treatment will often continue. The recommended course of treatment largely depends on weighing up the benefits of corticosteroids against the side effects. Steroid injections, inhalers and sprays aren’t thought to pose a risk to babies being breastfed. If a woman needs to take steroid tablets whilst she is breastfeeding, prednisolone is usually recommended. You can usually continue to use this as normal while you’re pregnant. There’s no evidence to suggest that using a steroid inhaler during pregnancy increases the risk of problems like birth defects. This is because the risk to your baby from uncontrolled asthma is higher than from the medication. Steroid tablets may be recommended if you’re pregnant and have severe asthma. However, they’re not usually recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. PregnancyĬorticosteroids are generally safe to use during pregnancy. This is a card which lets healthcare professionals and emergency workers know you are prescribed a steroid and has the details of your medicine and dose. It’s the same size as a bank card and may be blue or red. This’ll depend on the dose and how long you take the steroid for. You may be given a steroid card from your healthcare professional. However, these should be used with caution in people with ongoing infections, like tuberculosis (TB). There’s generally no reason why someone shouldn’t be able to use a steroid inhaler or steroid spray. However, they should be avoided or used with caution if you have an ongoing infection or a blood clotting disorder (like haemophilia). Most people can safely have corticosteroid injections. In these situations, you will only be prescribed oral corticosteroids if the benefits of treatment outweigh any potential risks. They should also be used with caution in people with certain health conditions, including: Steroid tablets should be used with caution in people with: However, you should continue to take corticosteroids if you develop an infection whilst taking them. This is because they could make it more severe. They shouldn’t be used if you have an ongoing widespread infection. This is because they can affect the whole body. Steroid tabletsĬorticosteroid tablets are the most powerful type of steroid medication. Steroid tablets are generally prescribed with more caution, as these may cause more problems. Self-help guide: Accessing medicines Who can use corticosteroids?įor most people, steroid inhalers and steroid injections shouldn’t cause any bad side effects. Visit our self-help guide on accessing medicines if you have difficulty getting the medicines you need.
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