Long-term Prednisone Use: What are the Benefits v. Risks?

Prednisone, one of the corticosteroids, is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. What are the benefits and risks associated with long-term prednisone use when treating rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic diseases? Does short-term use carry the same risks, or are risks tied to dose not the length of time a patient is on the drug?

While it is unclear if doses of prednisone of 3 mg. or less have clinically significant toxicity, doses of even 5 mg. per day carry an increased risk of osteoporosis, cataracts, and affecting lipids. Higher doses of prednisone may have other potential toxicities.

We asked rheumatologist Scott J. Zashin, M.D., to explain, Long-term Prednisone Use: What are the Benefits v. Risks?

Related Resources:

• The Facts of Corticosteroids
• The Prednisone Quiz: Is it True or False?
• Why Prednisone Must Not Be Stopped Suddenly
• 10 Things You Should Know About Prednisone
• What You Need to Know About Corticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis

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