Can the medicine Prednisone cause weight gain?

Question

I didn't know where to post this in healther so put it here. I have to take these for a bad reaction flea bites on my legs and arms. I was told Prednisone is like a cortisol steroid like medication. Can it cause some weight gain?

Additional Details

Wow, I have to take them for a week and the doses get smaller each day until i have just one left. I've had a small amount of weight gain, I guess i'll have to really watch what I eat when I get off the meds. (I also am taking zyrtec for ten days if that has any affect.)

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

yes.. it makes u hungry.. it also makes u retain water..
once u quit taking it.. the water retention will go away.. but if you eat more than u usually do... the other weight will stay.. so try to eat what u usually eat... the water weight will go away..

Source(s):

I am on prednisone

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Good idea and it's good to hear it from someone who's been taking it themselves.

Answer 2

yes it can

Answer 3

yeah and weird out your emotions and its not just something you can stop either you have to be weined off of them.

Source(s):

seen a marriage ruined by the emoition tornado it causes, mom is currently on it and still gaining wieght

Answer 4

yes but depends on your dose, if ur taking it for only a week its likely your dose is low and its not long enough for you to get the side effects. my daughter regularly has it for crohns, and only had severe weight problems when she was taking 60mg a day, it increases your appetite and nothing satisfies it she feels constant ly hungry and even if u try to eat healthily like fruit u still crave food. however the good news is once the dose is lowered and u go back to normal appetite then the weight falls off.