Does Prednisone Cause Weight Gain?

Corticosteroids are a class of medications that can treat many medical conditions, including asthma and autoimmune disorders. If you've ever taken one, you may know they can have lots of side effects. From weight gain and irritability to insomnia, many people experience side effects that can impact their quality of life. 

You’ve probably heard of prednisone. It’s a popular oral corticosteroid. A short course of treatment might not cause too many problems. But if you’re taking it for a longer period of time, you may start to notice certain side effects, like weight gain. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Here, we'll answer these questions and more. 

What is prednisone?

Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid. It’s used to treat many medical conditions, including:

• Asthma

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Allergies

• Certain types of cancer

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save over 40% on Qsymia with GoodRx

Discover the once daily Qsymia for weight management. Qsymia is for adults and children 12-17 in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Save now

Corticosteroids mimic cortisol, a stress hormone in your body. Cortisol helps your body regulate electrolytes, lowers inflammation, and regulates your immune system. So, prednisone mimics these effects. This is how it lowers pain and inflammation, and modifies your immune system response to help treat certain conditions. 

Prednisone is available in both oral tablet and liquid forms. Other corticosteroids can also come in different dosage forms, like inhalers and nasal sprays. These non-oral forms tend to have fewer side effects because of lower absorption into the bloodstream.

Does prednisone cause weight gain?

Yes. Prednisone is one of several medications known to cause weight gain. This is usually more likely to happen with long-term use or higher doses. For example, about 70% of people in one study who took oral corticosteroids (including prednisone) for over 60 days reported weight gain.

Experts think this side effect is related to mimicking high levels of cortisol in the body. High cortisol levels cause a bigger appetite, altered processing of sugar and fats in the body, and body fat buildup. And corticosteroids can cause fluid buildup, which may also result in weight gain.

Long-term use of prednisone can cause weight gain. But it doesn’t seem to cause the same amount of weight gain for all people. There are different diets, exercise routines, and lifestyles that might affect how much weight you gain while taking it. 

If you’re concerned about gaining weight from prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider. There are often ways to prevent or treat this type of side effect. 

How much weight will I gain while taking prednisone?

Short answer: It depends. 

That’s because weight gain from prednisone can vary depending on the person. It’s more common with higher doses. But it can happen with lower doses taken long term, too. 

In one study, people who took low-dose prednisone over 2 years gained 4% to 8% of their body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, you could gain 8 to 16 pounds over 2 years while taking low-dose prednisone.

Can weight gain from prednisone be prevented?

There are a few things you can do to try and prevent weight gain while taking prednisone or other corticosteroids: 

• Exercise regularly. In addition to other health benefits, keeping active may help manage weight gain. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to incorporate physical activity into your routine.

• Eat a healthy diet. Your diet can affect cortisol levels in your body. It can also help with maintaining or losing weight by moderating calorie intake.

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause weight gain on its own. Drinking while taking prednisone could potentially cause more weight gain, or make it harder to lose weight.

• Take prednisone for a shorter time. Short-term courses of prednisone appear to have less effect on weight. So if you’re taking prednisone for around 10 days or less, you’re not as likely to have weight gain. But you should never stop taking prednisone without your healthcare provider’s approval and instructions.

You may find that some of these suggestions work for you. You may also find that it’s difficult to manage your weight while taking prednisone. Always talk with your healthcare provider about your concerns with weight gain. They can help determine the best solution for your situation.

If I gain weight while taking prednisone, can I lose it?

Yes, it is possible to lose weight after taking prednisone. The same suggestions for preventing weight gain from prednisone can also help you lose weight after stopping the medication. Some experts say that it’s easier to lose weight about 6 months to 1 year after stopping corticosteroids. 

You may not lose the weight immediately. But it does tend to be easier after you’ve stopped taking the medication. This is because you’re no longer fighting the effects of high cortisol, as previously discussed. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best way to lose the weight you’ve gained while taking prednisone. 

What other side effects are common with prednisone?

In addition to weight gain, there are several other common side effects from taking prednisone or other corticosteroids. They can generally be divided into short-term and long-term side effects.

Short-term side effects of prednisone can include:

• Trouble sleeping

• Feeling irritable or other mood changes

• High blood pressure

• Sweating

• Headache

• Fluid buildup

• Higher blood sugar

Long-term side effects of prednisone can include: 

• Congestive heart failure

• Loss of muscle mass

• Weaker bones (osteoporosis)

• Thin, fragile skin

• Stomach damage or ulcers

If you think you’re having a side effect from prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider. In some cases, you may be able to switch to a different medication. Sometimes it may be important for you to continue taking prednisone. In this case, switching may not be an option.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts