- With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
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April Chang-Miller, M.D.
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Dr. April Chang-Miller is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Dr. Chang-Miller's primary field is rheumatology with special interests in inflammatory joint diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. She also cares for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The New York City native is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and had been with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., between 1991 and 2002 when she relocated to Mayo Clinic, Arizona. She is a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and has been on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter.
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Question
Prednisone withdrawal: What are the symptoms?
Why does prednisone have to be gradually tapered off? Why can't I just stop taking it?
Answer
from April Chang-Miller, M.D.
If prednisone isn't discontinued gradually, you run the risk of developing prednisone withdrawal symptoms. So you shouldn't stop taking the drug without first consulting your doctor.
Prednisone is corticosteroid medication used to treat many conditions, including arthritis and asthma. Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. However, the amount of prednisone used to treat underlying disease is much greater than the amount of cortisol produced by your body.
Because long-term use of prednisone can cause serious side effects, doctors try to use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time possible. Still, there are instances when long-term prednisone therapy is needed.
When you take prednisone for a prolonged period, your adrenal glands stop making cortisol. After you stop taking prednisone, your adrenal glands need time to resume their normal function. If you abruptly stop taking the drug or taper off too quickly, you will develop symptoms of prednisone withdrawal — also known as cortisol deficiency. Such symptoms include:
- Severe fatigue
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness when standing (low blood pressure)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Body aches
The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on several factors: the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take anywhere from a week to several months. If you experience prednisone withdrawal symptoms as you are tapering off the drug, contact your doctor.
