Corticosteroids for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Side effects of high or long-term corticosteroid doses in children include:

• Growth suppression.
• Bone thinning (Reference osteoporosis Opens New Window).
• Easy bruising.
• Moon-face appearance with fluid retention and weight gain (cushingoid appearance, related to Reference Cushing's syndrome Opens New Window).
• Mood swings.

Long-term use of corticosteroids causes significant side effects, including a weakened Reference immune system Opens New Window and weakened muscles.

You can help reduce side effects, including growth problems, by giving your child this medicine in the morning rather than at night. A low dose at bedtime is sometimes used to treat severe morning stiffness.^{Reference 1}

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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