Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, cortisone, solumedrol, and hydrocortisone, are used in varying doses to decrease inflammation of the joints caused by arthritis.

They can be given by mouth, in creams applied to the skin, or by injection.

Corticosteroid dosages vary widely. The specific dosage your doctor prescribes will be based on your disease and the goals of treatment, and low doses (10 mg of prednisone or less) may be sufficient for the joint inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

While doses are sometimes raised during times of severe flares, the goal is to keep dosages low or to taper them as soon as possible.

Doctors often seek to keep corticosteroid doses low by also prescribing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in conjunction with them.

Short-term side effects of corticosteroids include swelling, increased appetite, weight gain, and emotional ups and downs. These side effects generally stop when the drug is stopped.

It can be dangerous to stop taking corticosteroids suddenly, so it is very important that the doctor and patient work together when changing the corticosteroid dose.

Side effects that may occur after long-term use of corticosteroids include stretch marks, excessive hair growth, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, damage to the arteries, high blood sugar, infections, and cataracts.

If you have only a few affected joints, your doctor may be able to bypass the side effects of regular corticosteroid use by injecting a corticosteroid compound directly into them.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.