Steroid tablets are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. They are also known as corticosteroid tablets.
Steroid tablets are only available on prescription. Dissolvable and liquid versions are also available on prescription.
Examples include:
- prednisolone
- dexamethasone
- hydrocortisone
Read the patient information leaflet that came with the steroids you were prescribed. It will have specific advice about your medicine.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
These steroids are different from anabolic steroids.
Anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed for a limited number of medical conditions. They can also be misused by people to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance.
Uses of steroid tablets
Steroid tablets are used treat conditions such as:
- allergies
- asthma
- eczema
- inflammatory bowel disease
- arthritis
- Addison's disease
Check if you can take steroid tablets
Most people can take steroid tablets.
They may not be suitable for you if you:
- have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or problems with your liver, heart or kidneys
- have severe or manic depression, or a family history of these conditions
- are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby
- have an open wound that has not healed yet
Do not take steroid tablets if you have:
- had an allergic reaction to steroids or any other medicines in the past
- any infections (including eye infections)
- just had a vaccine or will be getting a vaccine soon
Tell your GP about risk of infections
Steroids makes you more likely to catch infections.
Tell your GP if you're in contact with anyone who as an infectious condition, such as measles, chickenpox or shingles. Avoid people with these conditions. If you have never had them before, they could make you very ill.
You may also get tuberculosis (TB) again if you've already had it.
Make sure your vaccines are up-to-date. But do not have any live vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine or shingles vaccine.
How and when to take steroid tablets
Always take steroid tablets exactly as your GP has told you.
It's best to take steroid tablets in the morning with breakfast. This is to lower the risk of the medicine disturbing your sleep. Taking it with a meal can also prevent stomach irritation.
If the label on your steroid tablets says enteric-coated or gastro-resistant, you can take the tablets with or without food. Make sure to swallow them whole. Do not take indigestion medicines 2 hours before or after taking enteric-coated or gastro-resistant tablets.
If you forget to take a dose
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for the next one. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next one as normal.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set a reminder alarm.
Coming off treatment
Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your GP first.
Stopping suddenly can cause your adrenal gland to stop working. This gland makes important hormones for your body. Your original symptoms may also come back suddenly.
If you've been taking steroid tablets for more than a few weeks, you will need to reduce your dose gradually. Your GP will tell you how to do this.
This can help avoid withdrawal symptoms such as:
- severe tiredness and difficulty sleeping
- joint and muscle pain
- feeling and being sick (nausea and vomiting)
- dizziness
- losing your appetite and weight loss
- mood changes
- headaches
- swelling of the eyes and nasal passages
- painful and itchy skin lumps
If you take too much
Talk to your GP or a pharmacist if you're worried you've taken too many tablets.
Taking too many steroid tablets over a long time can make you more likely to get side effects.
Side effects of steroid tablets
It's unusual to have any serious side effects if you take steroid tablets for less than 3 weeks.
But you may get some side effects if you need to take them:
- for longer than 3 weeks
- at a high dose
- for frequent courses
Common side effects of taking steroid tablets include:
Indigestion or heartburn
Take your tablets with food to reduce the chances of stomach problems. Although enteric-coated or gastro-resistant tablets can be taken without food.
It may help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you're taking steroid tablets.
Your GP may recommend other medicines to take alongside steroids to prevent indigestion or heartburn.
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or feeling restless
Take your tablets in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime.
Weight gain
Steroid tablets can make you hungrier and keep more water in your body.
Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes and exercise regularly.
Sweating a lot
Try wearing loose clothing and use a strong anti-perspirant. If this does not help, talk to your doctor as you may be able to try a different medicine.
Mild mood changes
Steroid tablets can affect your mood in different ways. Talk to your GP if you are finding it hard to cope.
Other possible side effects include:
- a puffy, round face (moon face)
- weight gain in your upper back or tummy
- thin skin that bruises easily
- blurred vision or a cloudy area in your eye
- feeling sleepy, confused, very thirsty or hungry
- breathing quickly
- breath that smells like fruit
- a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
- high blood pressure
- weak bones (osteoporosis)
Your GP may:
- reduce your dose if you've having side effects
- ask you to take your tablets less often- for example, every other day
- recommend other medicines to take alongside steroids to protect you from some of the side effects
Most side effects will pass once treatment stops. Tell your GP if any side effects bother you.
Serious side effects
You are more likely to have a serious side effect if you take them:
- for longer than 3 weeks
- at a high dose
- for frequent courses
You may notice mood and behaviour changes and have mental health problems. For example, you may feel irritable or anxious.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP immediately if you:
- show any signs of mental health issues, such as depression
- have thoughts of harming yourself
If you have a serious allergic reaction
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to an emergency department (ED) if you:
- get a rash that's itchy, red, swollen or blistered
- are wheezing
- get tightness in your chest or throat
- have trouble breathing or talking
- have swelling in your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat
Stop taking your steroid tablets.
See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie
Steroid tablets and other medicines
Tell your GP or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines. This includes herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.
Some medicines can affect the way steroid tablets work.
If you're already taking steroid tablets, ask a GP or pharmacist for advice before taking any other medicines.
Food and alcohol
You can usually drink alcohol while taking steroid tablets. Do not drink too much as this may irritate your stomach.
You can eat most foods while taking steroid tablets. Do not eat liquorice while taking prednisolone. This can increase the amount of the medicine in your body.
Fact check
This content was fact checked by a pharmacist, a GP, and the National Medication Safety Programme (Safermeds).
