Another common side effect of corticosteroids like prednisone is increased risk of infections, including bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Huffstutter explains. Unlike targeted medications — such as TNF inhibitors and interleukin inhibitors — which home in on specific types of inflammatory molecules that are over-expressed in people with chronic autoimmune conditions, prednisone works to lower inflammation throughout the entire body.
It does that by imitating the corticosteroids that are naturally produced by the adrenal glands. When you put a synthetic corticosteroid like prednisone into your body, your adrenal glands stop producing their own supply. The resulting lower level of inflammation throughout your body is what helps relieve symptoms in joints or other trouble spots.
But it may also end up suppressing your immune system function. Of course, as with other medications, the dose of corticosteroids matters a lot. At high enough doses, such as those sometimes used in chemotherapy, prednisone will actually kill off lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The method of delivery — or the way you take — prednisone matters too. People who use corticosteroids systemically meaning orally or via injection have a higher risk of developing immune system side effects compared to those who use the drug topically such as for skin problems like eczema or through an inhaler or nasal spray such as for respiratory issues like asthma.
The more your immune system is suppressed, the greater your risk of contracting a contagious infection, including coronavirus.
However, more research is needed on how taking corticosteroids specifically affects risks related to COVID First of all, do not stop taking any of your regular medications without first talking to your doctor. You and your doctor should work together to see whether you should remain on your current dosage of prednisone or attempt to taper it down.
Corticosteroids are generally not recommended for long-term use anyway. Domingues adds that people who are on a very low dose of prednisone, perhaps 5 mg, should not be terribly concerned about the drug putting them at increased risk.
When in doubt, always call your doctor. If you and your doctor decide that you no longer require corticosteroids, do not attempt to stop them cold turkey.
In addition to risking a flare of the condition you were using your steroids to treat, such a drastic change could throw your body into adrenal crisis, which can be fatal, says Dr. Steroids must always be tapered, rather than stopped abruptly, when you cease taking them. We will be providing updated information, community support, and other resources tailored specifically to your health and safety. This suggests that pubertal steroid exposure could produce long-lasting structural changes in certain brain regions.
Teens who use anabolic steroids may also be at increased risk for some cognitive side effects compared with adults. For example, males who begin using anabolic steroids during the teen years show increased impulsivity and decreased attention, compared to men who began using steroids in their adult years. These aggressive effects are paralleled by changes in levels of serotonin , and androgen receptors in the rodent brain. National Institutes of Health. Other Ways Steroids Affect Development Effects Teens Although steroids can improve muscle strength, they can also make you more likely to suffer from injuries to your tendons and muscles.
References National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drug Facts: Anabolic Steroids. July NIDA for Teens. Food and Drug Administration. Teens and Steroids: A Dangerous Combination.
Consumer Updates. National Institutes of Health. Anabolic Steroids. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Tags: adolescent substance abuse treatment in los angeles steroids affect development teen drug use. Related Posts. November 7, How to Respond to an Overdose November 1, October 13, Drug Rehab for Teenagers October 1, Dear Destinations For Teens Partners, Destinations For Teens staff are actively getting vaccinated through the county and the hope is to have the majority of our staff vaccinated by the end of January, Anyone who poses a risk to our centers will not be admitted.
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