Are there dangers with steroids if taken for five days?

Answer 1

Taking steroids for 5 days

If you are referring to prescribed corticosteroids and not the anabolic kind taken illegally by some people trying to boost their athletic performance, then no. Not as long as they have been prescribed for you by your doctor and he/she is aware of all your medical conditions and there are no contraindications to taking them for this short period of time.

Corticosteroids like Prednisone (prednisolone) do have long-term side effects when taken over a longer period of time. They are somewhat of a "double-edged sword", so to speak. They do good in that they decrease inflammation and may greatly help in disease processes such as rheumatoid arthritis to ease the pain and reduce the swelling and inflammation; in emphysema to reduce the inflammation in the lungs and make it easier to breathe; in severe allergic reactions to reduce the symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing and severe itching.

However, the side effects of long-term corticosteroid use include the following: fluid retention and what is known as "moon face"; weight-gain around the middle and fat storage over the area at the posterior base of the neck known as "Buffalo Hump"; it's hard on the liver and kidneys causing an increase in liver enzymes and other lab values including blood sugar leading to Type II Diabetes; it can cause thinning of the skin and capillaries and lead to easy bruising; it can cause mood swings and in some people what is known as "steriod psychosis"; it can lead to bone lost and osteoporosis; it can affect the lining of the stomach and lead to ulcers so as you can see this is nothing to be taken lightly.

Anyone who already has diabetes or congestive heart failure or any other type of cardiac condition or liver/kidney condition would have to be closely monitored by their physician while taking this medication.