Prednisone withdrawal Why taper down slowly - Mayo Clinic

COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options

Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment

Prednisone withdrawal Why taper down slowly

Products and services

Prednisone withdrawal Why do I need to slowly taper down the dosage

Answer From John M. Wilkinson, M.D. If you abruptly stop taking prednisone or taper off too quickly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including: Severe fatigue Weakness Body aches Joint pain Nausea Loss of appetite Lightheadedness Irritability or mood swings In addition to withdrawal symptoms, not tapering prednisone properly could worsen the symptoms you're being treated for. And if you're taking prednisone for a long-term condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), not tapering properly could cause recurring symptoms to flare up. Prednisone is like cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. If you take prednisone for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production. A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their usual function. The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months. Contact your doctor if you experience prednisone withdrawal symptoms as you are tapering off the drug. With John M. Wilkinson, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!

Thank you for subscribing

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

ShareTweet Aug. 26, 2022 Show references Prednisone. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed July 25, 2022. Ritter JM, et al. The pituitary and the adrenal cortex. In: Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 25, 2022. Pelewicz K, et al. Glucocorticoid withdrawal: An overview on when and how to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in clinical practice. Diagnostics. 2021; doi:10.3390/diagnostics11040728. Furst DE, et al. Glucocorticoid withdrawal. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 25, 2022. Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Aug. 9, 2022. See more Expert Answers

6 tips to manage rheumatoid arthritis symptomsA Pain-Free Thumbs Up!Acetyl-L-carnitine: Can it relieve MS fatigue?Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)Acute sinusitisAcute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help?Addison's diseaseAdrenal fatigue: What causes it?Albuterol side effectsAlcoholic hepatitisAllergiesAllergies and asthmaAllergy medications: Know your optionsAllergy-proof your homeAplastic anemiaArthritisArthritis pain: Do's and don'tsAspergillosisAspirin allergyAsthmaAsthma and acid refluxAsthma attackAsthma dietAsthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?Asthma: Colds and fluAsthma medicationsAsthma: Testing and diagnosisAsthma treatment: 3 stepsAsthma treatment: Do complementary and alternative approaches work?Atopic dermatitis (eczema)Atopic dermatitis: 6 ways to manage itchy skinAtopic dermatitis: Proper bathing can reduce itchingAtopic dermatitis: Understand your triggersAvoid rebound nasal congestionBaker cystBase tan? Bad ideaBehcet's diseaseExplaining multiple sclerosisTreating PericarditisBullous pemphigoidBursitisCan baby eczema be prevented?Can I exercise if I have atopic dermatitis?Infographic: Cardiac sarcoidosis: A heart under attackCarpal tunnel exercises: Can they relieve symptoms?Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal Tunnel Tune-UpChilblainsCholestasis of pregnancyCOPDChurg-Strauss syndromeCluster headacheCroupDe Quervain tenosynovitisDemyelinating disease: What can you do about it?DermatomyositisDiffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)Does honey offer sweet relief for allergies?Does stress make rheumatoid arthritis worse?Drug allergyDust mite allergyEase rheumatoid arthritis pain when grocery shoppingEase stress to reduce eczema symptomsEczema bleach bath: Can it improve my symptoms?Emerging treatments for multiple sclerosisEmphysemaExercise and multiple sclerosisExercising with arthritisGiant cell arteritisGlomerulonephritisHip labral tearHow do I reduce fatigue from rheumatoid arthritis?How to treat baby eczemaHyperinflated lungs: What does it mean?HypopituitarismI have atopic dermatitis. How can I sleep better?Interstitial lung diseaseIs depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis?Juvenile idiopathic arthritisKeloid scarKnee bursitisKnee painLiving better with atopic dermatitis (eczema)Living better with rheumatoid arthritisManaging HeadachesMangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?Mayo Clinic Minute: Prevent migraines with magnetic stimulationMayo Clinic Minute Weathering migrainesMayo Clinic Minute: What parents need to know about pink eyeMedication overuse headachesMigraineWhat is a migraine? A Mayo Clinic expert explainsMigraine medications and antidepressantsMigraine FAQsMigraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?Infographic: Migraine Treatments: Botox & Nerve BlockingMigraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?Migraines and VertigoMigraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?Alleviating migraine painMixed connective tissue diseaseMononucleosisMononucleosis: Can it recur?Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr: What's the connection?Multiple sclerosisInfographic: Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis: Can it cause seizures?What is multiple sclerosis? An expert explainsMultiple sclerosis FAQsMyasthenia gravisNasal CleaningNasal spray addiction: Is it real?Neck painNephrotic syndromeNeuromyelitis opticaNew Test for PreeclampsiaOccipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?Ocular migraine: When to seek helpOral lichen planusOzone air purifiersParaneoplastic syndromes of the nervous systemPericarditisPink eye (conjunctivitis)Pink eye: How long is it contagious?Plantar fasciitisPneumonitisPolymyalgia rheumaticaPolymyositisPrednisone risks, benefitsPreeclampsiaPreterm laborProtect your joints while housecleaningRamsay Hunt syndromeReactive airway disease: Is it asthma?Rethinking Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis: Does pregnancy affect symptoms?Rheumatoid arthritis and exerciseRheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?SacroiliitisSalt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?SarcoidosisSciaticaSepsisSinus infection and toothache: Any connection?Hand exercises for people with arthritisJoint protectionSpinal stenosisStop your next migraine before it startsSulfa allergySunburnSunburn treatment: Do I need medical attention?Swollen kneeTakayasu's arteritisTendinitisTendinitis pain: Should I apply ice or heat?ThrombocytopeniaThumb arthritisThumb ReconstructionTips to make your mornings easierTrichinosisAsthma attack videoCarpal tunnel symptoms: Role of nonsurgical treatmentCarpal tunnel syndrome surgery: Immediate and long-term resultsDry powder disk inhalerDry powder tube inhalerVideo: How to use a peak flow meterSingle-dose dry powder inhalerUsing a metered dose asthma inhaler and spacerVitamin D and MS: Any connection?Vitamins for MS: Do supplements make a difference?Vocal cord dysfunctionWhat is aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)?Whipple's diseaseShow more related content

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Mayo Clinic Footer

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Advertising

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

TREND NOW

Prednisone withdrawal Why taper down slowly? Mayo Clinic