Corticosteroids in pregnancy to reduce complications from being born prematurely patient information leaflet

Although it is best not to take steroids during pregnancy, it is safer than many drugs and the benefit of treatment may outweigh the risks. Prednisolone appears in small amounts in breast milk but maternal doses of up to 40mg daily are unlikely to affect the infant. Don’t eat liquorice while taking prednisolone, however, as this can increase the amount of the medicine in your body.

• You might be prescribed anabolic steroids for certain medical conditions.
• You should also tell your doctor if you are diabetic (taking steroids can affect your sugar levels) or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
• You might also be interested in our information about coping with lymphoedema.
• It can sometimes be used alongside aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) such as mesalazine or sulfasalazine.

They do this by treating inflammation in your airways (this is when your airways are swollen and narrow). If you think you need dental tvoysport treatment, talk to your cancer doctor or nurse. If you notice any changes in your mood or behaviour, tell your doctor or nurse.

Side effects of steroid injections

Therefore drinking alcohol excessively while also taking prednisone may further increase the risk of osteoporosis. Combining alcohol and prednisone can be very hard going on your immune system. A steroid card needs to be issued at the start of treatment and carried by the patient at all times.

• You might have noticed this if you have had a cut or wound on your skin.
• You may notice mood changes and mental health problems while taking prednisolone.
• When you have IBD, your immune system attacks parts of your digestive tract by mistake, causing inflammation.
• This is known as adrenal crisis, or secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Make sure any change to your dose of steroid is updated on the card. If you’re taking high doses of steroids, or if you’re on them for more than three weeks, you’ll need to carry a steroid card. This will have information on your dose and how long you’ve been taking them for.

More information about this treatment

In general, you shouldn’t have live vaccines while you are on steroid medication and for 6 months afterwards. This is likely to be longer (at least 24 months) if you have had a stem cell transplant. If you take steroids for a long time, you might be at risk of osteoporosis, where your bones become thin and weak.

Dexamethasone or prednisolone may be prescribed along with other drugs in treating your condition. You should not take anti-inflammatory painkillers e.g. ibuprofen (low dose aspirin is OK), as together they may increase the risk of a stomach ulcer developing. Do not take over-the-counter preparations or herbal remedies without discussing this first with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If you’ve been taking steroid tablets for more than a few days, you usually need to reduce your dose gradually.

Why do people take anabolic steroids?

Here are some of the side effects of prednisone which could be complicated by mixing it with alcohol. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to talk it through with your doctor as they will be able to take into account your personal medical history when advising you. Generally speaking, if your dose is low enough and you are not on it long-term for a chronic condition, moderate drinking of one or two drinks a day should be fine. Never use steroids without a prescription from your vet, they can be harmful if used incorrectly.

Further information and support

These are more likely if you’re on a high dose or if you’re taking steroids for a long time. Try not to worry too much about the possible side effects of taking prednisolone – remember that your doctor will only prescribe it if the benefits of taking it outweigh the risks. If you do get troublesome side effects these can often be managed by reducing your dose or by taking other medicines (both should only be done on the advice of your doctor).

Stopping your medication

Your healthcare professional will advise you of the risks and benefits of a repeat course of steroids depending on your individual situation. Research has found that prednisone can cause the bones to become thin and brittle, and can eventually lead to osteoporosis. Further research has found a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and osteoporosis.

Why is it important for my child to take Prednisolone?

It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you’re taking this medicine. This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on the RCOG guideline Antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality (February 2022).

Take sensible precautions such as regular hand washing, and avoiding close contact with people who show signs of infection. Contact your IBD team for advice if you think you have an infection. Topical prednisolone treatments are put onto or into the part of your body where they are needed.

They are an induction treatment, which means they are used to induce remission. Like all steroids, prednisolone will not be used to control your IBD long-term. Steroids are man-made versions of a hormone called cortisol, which is naturally produced in your body by your adrenal glands.