Complications of Prolonged or High Dose Corticosteroid Therapy

 

Complications of corticosteroid therapy:

(1) adrenal atrophy

(2) Cushing's syndrome

(3) dyslipidemia

(4) hypertension

(5) thrombosis

(6) changes in behavior and mood, including euphoria and psychosis

(7) changes in cognition and memory

(8) cerebral atrophy

(9) peptic ulceration

(10) gastrointestinal bleeding

(11) pancreatitis

(12) immunosuppression, with increased risk of infection

(13) skin atrophy

(14) delayed wound healing

(15) skin erythema

(16) hypertrichosis

(17) perioral dermatitis

(18) petechiae

(19) acne

(20) striae rubrae distensae

(21) telangiectasia

(22) osteonecrosis

(23) muscle atrophy

(24) osteoporosis with risk of fracture

(25) retardation of longitudinal bone growth in pediatric patients, with potential for stunting in height

(26) cataracts

(27) glaucoma

(28) increased sodium retention

(29) increased potassium excretion

(30) delayed puberty

(31) hypogonadism

(32) fetal growth retardation (if mother is being treated during pregnancy)

(33) hyperglycemia with or without diabetes