United Kingdom
A member asked:
Why can't people stay on prednisolone for ever?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Barbara Stark Baxteranswered
Allergy and Immunology 43 years experience
Steroid side effects: Actually, some people have to take steroids lifelong. Prednisolone is a hormone in the cortisone family, and cortisone is required for life. If the adrenal gland stops producing it, as it does in addison's disease, the patient must take something similar. For normal people, steroids have adverse effects, so it is best to take them for short periods. Longer use can turn off adrenal production too.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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