The following information comes from DailyMed, the official FDA label information provider for drugs.
The following adverse reactions have been reported with prednisone or other corticosteroids:
Allergic Reactions
anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, angioedema.
Cardiovascular System
bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, ECG changes caused by potassium deficiency, edema, fat embolism, hypertension or aggravation of hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, necrotizing angiitis, pulmonary edema, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism (blood clot commonly in legs), thrombophlebitis, vasculitis.
Dermatologic
acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema (swelling of face/surrounding areas, even in arms or tongue), angioneurotic edema, atrophy and thinning of skin, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae (bruising), erythema, facial edema, hirsutism, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, Karposi’s sarcoma, lupus erythematosus-like lesions, perineal irritation, purpura, rash, striae, subcutaneous fat atrophy, suppression of reactions to skin tests, striae, telangiectasis, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria (hives or red welts).
Endocrine
Adrenal insufficiency-greatest potential caused by high potency glucocorticoids with long duration of action (associated symptoms include: arthralgias, buffalo hump, dizziness, life-threatening hypotension, nausea, severe tiredness or weakness), amenorrhea, postmenopausal bleeding or other menstrual irregularities, decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, development of cushingoid state, diabetes mellitus (new onset or manifestations of latent), glycosuria, hyperglycemia, hypertrichosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics, lipids abnormal, moon face, negative nitrogen balance caused by protein catabolism, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness), suppression of growth in pediatric patients.
Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
congestive heart failure in susceptible patients, fluid retention, hypokalemia (low potassium), hypokalemic alkalosis, metabolic alkalosis, hypotension or shock-like reaction, potassium loss, sodium retention with resulting edema (swelling commonly in the legs or feet).
Gastrointestinal
abdominal distention (bloating/swelling in abdominal area), abdominal pain, anorexia which may result in weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, elevation in serum liver enzyme levels (usually reversible upon discontinuation), gastric irritation, hepatomegaly (abnormal increase in liver size), increased appetite and weight gain, nausea, oropharyngeal candidiasis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small and large intestine (particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative esophagitis, vomiting.
Hematologic
anemia, neutropenia (including febrile neutropenia).
Metabolic
negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism.
Musculoskeletal
arthralgias (joint pain), aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, increase risk of fracture, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, myalgias (muscle pain), osteopenia, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture (particularly of the Achilles tendon), vertebral compression fractures.
Neurological/Psychiatric
amnesia, anxiety, benign intracranial hypertension, convulsions, delirium, dementia (characterized by deficits in memory retention, attention, concentration, mental speed and efficiency, and occupational performance), depression, dizziness, EEG abnormalities, emotional instability and irritability, euphoria, hallucinations, headache, impaired cognition, incidence of severe psychiatric symptoms, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, increased motor activity, insomnia, ischemic neuropathy, long-term memory loss, mania, mood swings, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, personality changes, psychiatric disorders including steroid psychoses or aggravation of pre-existing psychiatric conditions, restlessness, schizophrenia, verbal memory loss, vertigo, withdrawn behavior.
Ophthalmic
blurred vision, cataracts (including posterior subcapsular cataracts), central serous chorioretinopathy, establishment of secondary bacterial, fungal and viral infections, exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, papilledema.
Other
abnormal fat deposits, aggravation/masking of infections, decreased resistance to infection, hiccups, immunosuppression, increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa, malaise, insomnia, moon face, pyrexia.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX), or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
