cortisone

• Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken the immune system | Using cortisone for a long time | People who aren't vaccinated against viral illnesses | Coming into contact with people who have viral illnesses | History of bacterial or viral conditions | Receiving live vaccines

Using cortisone long term can raise your risk of getting an infection or hide signs of an infection. These infections include serious fungal, viral (e.g., chicken pox, measles), or bacterial (e.g, tuberculosis or TB) infections. Avoid close contact with anyone who had a history of these serious infections during treatment with cortisone. If you have had TB or parasitic (worm) infections in the past, let your provider know so they can closely monitor you for symptoms and make sure these infections don't come back. In addition, talk to your provider first before getting any vaccination. Live vaccines might not be safe for you since they can sometimes raise your risk of an infection during treatment with high doses of cortisone.

• Risk factor: History of mental health conditions

Cortisone can cause changes in your mood or behavior. Tell your provider right away if you feel depressed, have mood swings, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there) while taking this medication.

• Risk factors: Using cortisone for a long period of time | Stress such as trauma, injury, or infection

In some rare cases, using cortisone for a long time can cause a medical condition called adrenal suppression. This is when your adrenal glands stop making your own natural hormones as your body gets used to cortisone. If you suddenly stop taking cortisone, you can experience symptoms of withdrawal including fever, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. To prevent adrenal suppression from happening, your provider will prescribe the lowest possible dose of cortisone that works well for you for the shortest amount of time. If you need to use cortisone for a long period of time, your provider might order blood work to test how well your adrenal gland works. Let your provider know if you have symptoms of withdrawal. Don't suddenly stop using cortisone without talking to your provider first.

• Risk factors: Recent heart attack | History of heart failure, high blood pressure, or kidney problems

Cortisone can cause changes in your fluids and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, and calcium). This can result in high blood pressure, swelling, and kidney problems. In addition, some studies suggest that cortisone can damage the heart if used after a recent heart attack. If you have a history of heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, or kidney problems, let your provider know before using this medication.

• Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or ulcers | History of ulcerative colitis | Taking other medications that can also cause stomach problems | Alcohol use

Taking cortisone raises the risk of stomach damage, leading to certain problems, like stomach irritation, and more seriously, ulcers and bleeding. Your risk is higher if you have a history of stomach problems or if you're taking other medications that can damage your stomach, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication because it can worsen stomach irritation. Get medical attention right away if you have stomach pain that doesn't go away or you get bloody or dark stools. These can be signs of a serious stomach problem.

• Risk factors: Cataracts | Glaucoma | History of herpes eye infection

Using cortisone for a long period of time can lead to greater risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and certain eye infections. Tell your provider if you currently have an eye infection or have had a viral eye infection (herpes keratitis) in the past. If you experience blurry vision, eye pain, or any vision changes during treatment with this medication, let your provider know right away. You might need to get regular eye exams during long-term treatment with cortisone.

• Risk factors: Taking cortisone at high doses or for a long period of time | Risks for osteoporosis (e.g., female, history of falls, smoking) | Infants and young children

Long-term use of cortisone can lower calcium absorption and weaken your bone. Over time, this will cause or worsen osteoporosis in adults or slow down growth in children. If you've had bone fractures before or have osteoporosis (weak bones), talk to your provider about your risk before using this medication.

• Risk factors: Taking cortisone for a long period of time

Using cortisone for a long period of time can sometimes raise your blood sugar levels. If blood sugar is not controlled, this can lead to diabetes. Let your provider know if you have symptoms like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit. If you have diabetes, your provider may ask you to check your blood sugar regularly to make sure this medication is safe for you.