Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids) for Cancer
Side Effects
Side effects are common with steroids and can include:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or Reference ulcers Opens New Window. To reduce these side effects, take your pills with a full glass of fluid and a small snack.
- Fluid retention, causing swelling of the hands and feet.
- Increased appetite.
- Increased risk of infection.
- Preexisting Reference diabetes Opens New Window getting worse.
- Menstrual period changes.
- Changes in behavior, such as symptoms of paranoia or Reference psychosis Opens New Window.
- Muscle wasting. You may notice that it is difficult to climb stairs or rise from sitting to standing without assistance.
Some problems may occur with long-term use. These include:
- Reference Osteoporosis Opens New Window.
- Reference Cataract Opens New Window formation.
- Reference High blood pressure Opens New Window.
- Development of diabetes.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 28, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology |
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