Prednisone Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment Options
Corticosteroids block inflammation and allergic reactions related to cortisol produced by your adrenal glands. A popular corticosteroid prescribed to patients is prednisone. Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone your adrenal glands naturally produce. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat symptoms that develop because of low cortisol levels, such as weakness, fatigue, and mood changes.
Although prednisone offers many medical benefits, drug dependence is possible, leading to prednisone withdrawal syndrome. This syndrome most commonly develops when taking prednisone for more than a few weeks. Following this period, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production.
When dependence does occur, it is a potentially severe complication. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may cause dependence based on their potential effects, including increased euphoria in some users. Psychological dependence on topical corticosteroids is also possible. As a result, prednisone withdrawal syndrome may develop, making it challenging to discontinue use. Underlying health conditions create concerns during the prednisone withdrawal period.
If you or your loved one are dependent on prednisone, help is available. You are not alone. Reach out to Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439.
What Are the Symptoms of Prednisone Withdrawal?
In most cases, prednisone is not believed to be addictive. However, taking this drug for long periods can eventually reduce how much cortisol your brain naturally produces. If a physical dependence on corticosteroids develops, this is when prednisone withdrawal symptoms develop.
Steroid therapy is so common that corticosteroid, specifically prednisone withdrawal, may be largely undiagnosed and untreated. Prednisone withdrawal may produce a wide array of symptoms, some of which are not well recognized or studied. Experiencing a high fever is among these.
The most comprehensive definition of steroid withdrawal syndrome is “an objective syndrome resembling true adrenal insufficiency.”
This syndrome is characterized by:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Fatigue and lethargy
- General feelings of discomfort
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Stiff joints
- Peeling skin
The most common symptoms will be body aches, fatigue, and weakness.
These symptoms will vary in severity, and other symptoms may also be present. For example, the literature also mentions the possibility of vomiting, stomach pain, a drop in blood pressure, low blood sodium levels, and high blood potassium levels.
In many cases, individuals suffering from prednisone withdrawal already have several medical issues, which is why the symptoms above can present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Children also experience prednisone withdrawal symptoms after single or multiple doses of this steroid.
Psychological symptoms may also develop, including mood swings, anxiety, and depression. In response to such symptoms, it’s important to seek the support of an expert substance abuse and mental team. Ongoing support and treatment are imperative, especially since each case is unique. Individualized assessment and treatment ensure the highest rates of success.
Although prednisone dependence can develop when taking doses as recommended, there are also cases where users take non-medical amounts of this steroid. These users typically struggle with prescription drug use, often combining several drugs, which can be dangerous.
When taking topical prednisone, withdrawal can lead to uncomfortable, even painful symptoms, including:
- Itching
- Stinging pain
- Oozing areas
- Hives
- Excessive sweating
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Worsening underlying mental health symptoms
The prolonged withdrawal period of topical corticosteroid withdrawal is known to take a significant toll on one’s mental health. That is why it’s so important to seek ongoing support following the prednisone withdrawal process.
What Causes Prednisone Withdrawal?
The cause of prednisone withdrawal syndrome is complex, and the exact mechanism behind this syndrome is still not fully understood. This drug is unique, as it influences cortisol levels. Other addictive substances often create withdrawal symptoms because they influence key brain chemicals. In contrast, withdrawal symptoms develop when you stop taking prednisone because of a sudden steroid shortage.
At one point, it was believed that prednisone withdrawal syndrome was linked to adrenal insufficiency. Prolonged steroid use may lead to a reduction in the synthesis and secretion of ACTH, a hormone released by your pituitary gland.
As a result, you may experience adrenal atrophy, which will lead to:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
Several theories exist, including the effect of elevated steroid levels on tissue. During periods of elevated steroid levels, such as when you take prednisone, your tissue may adapt, requiring more adrenocortical steroids.
Once you discontinue use, prednisone withdrawal symptoms surface. This theory has not been fully confirmed but remains an area of interest. This research aims to prevent prednisone withdrawal syndrome instead of treating it.
To better understand prednisone withdrawal syndrome and prednisone abuse in general, it’s important to consider behavioral factors. Research shows that behavioral changes are not uncommon during corticosteroid therapy, and these changes may persist beyond the discontinuation of such therapy.
In response to these behavioral changes, researchers continue to study the potential effect of prednisone and other corticosteroids on the central nervous system. Mood and cognitive changes are also being studied.
For example, data shows that when studying fifty patients on short courses of high-dose steroids, 26% who were initially free of psychiatric illness developed mania, and 10% developed depression during corticosteroid therapy. These effects appear to be dose-dependent.
Topical corticosteroid addiction is another key area of interest, as they appear to act as a double-edged sword. The properties that make topical corticosteroids useful increase their potential for misuse and addiction. A topical corticosteroid addiction is largely psychological. However, physical symptoms also encourage misuse and dependence.
Many patients begin using topical corticosteroids because of skin conditions, such as chronic eczema. To control rashes, patients may increase the dose or use the topical corticosteroid more frequently than recommended. This cycle can encourage addiction. In these cases, psychological counseling is often the best route to help with both conditions — one’s initial skin condition and the resulting corticosteroid addiction.
How Long Does Prednisone Withdrawal Take?
Prednisone has a short half-life, being the amount of time it takes for a drug’s active substance to reduce by half. Prednisone has a half-life of just 3-4 hours, which means this drug leaves the body fully in approximately one day. However, the effects can last days — sometimes months.
On average, prednisone withdrawal symptoms will develop within 24-48 hours after discontinued use.
One study followed nineteen chronic asthma patients who had been on cortisone therapy for 11 to 38 months. Withdrawal symptoms developed within 24-48 hours and lasted one to four days. In nine patients, symptoms were mild or barely present, four experienced moderate withdrawal symptoms, and the remaining four showcased severe symptoms.
Another study found that corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome was described in 21% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These individuals experienced depression, fatigue, discouragement, and anorexia, which lasted for two to eight weeks.
Although these effects are often associated with high doses or long-term use, low-dose glucocorticoid treatment also demonstrates a high prevalence of adrenal insufficiency. Researchers suggest caution is taken during stress and prednisone withdrawal.
Data shows that glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency may affect between 46% and 100% of patients 24 hours after withdrawal begins, 26% to 49% after approximately one week, and some patients experience prolonged suppression for months or even years.
Again, this is why you must work closely with a multidisciplinary team. It’s important to be monitored during prednisone withdrawal and after. The recovery process can be long and complex, depending on the substances you misuse and your mental health.
So, while the initial physical prednisone withdrawal symptoms may last days, ongoing symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may persist. Mental health symptoms should also be addressed to ensure long-term recovery.
There is no definitive timeline concerning psychological withdrawal symptoms. Some users will experience psychological prednisone withdrawal symptoms for weeks, while others experience symptoms for months. Ongoing counseling and support can help reduce the severity of these symptoms as you develop healthier coping skills.
How to Safely Manage Prednisone Detox
The most common approach to prednisone withdrawal is a tapering plan. The FDA recommends you withdraw gradually if discontinuing long-term or high-dose therapy. Upon rapid prednisone withdrawal, the concern is that you may experience adrenocortical insufficiency.
Since this is reversible, gradual reduction of dosage can help prevent complications. When you reduce your dosage slowly, this allows your adrenal glands to resume their normal function. However, this insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation.
When patients are taking prednisone, it’s important to be aware of how the prednisone withdrawal process influences various body functions. Adrenal insufficiency can be life-threatening, and if a patient is withdrawing from more than one substance, severe complications may occur. For example, someone dependent on alcohol may seek treatment for alcohol use disorder and take prednisone for ongoing arthritis.
Several risks and side effects may develop when taking these substances together for extended periods. Changes in blood pressure during prednisone withdrawal should be monitored in this case, particularly if there are concerning underlying conditions.
Coming back to topical corticosteroid addiction, patients often struggle with underlying anxiety symptoms. These symptoms can be debilitating, creating a vicious cycle. The goal is to seek the assistance of an expert treatment facility that understands the value of holistic treatment.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
What likely began as a course of treatment may have turned into prednisone withdrawal syndrome. If you take prednisone for long periods or take high doses, you will likely develop symptoms following cessation. These symptoms need to be monitored, especially if you have any underlying physical or mental health conditions.
Physically detoxing your body is the first initial step, but that is not where the journey ends. Regardless of what substances you abuse, completing the withdrawal process does not mean you have overcome psychological dependence. Relapse is common when you don’t seek ongoing treatment. That is why you must identify your triggers while working toward optimal wellness.
If you’re ready to live a life free from dependence, there is help available during the prednisone withdrawal process and beyond.Seek the assistance of a professional substance abuse and mental health treatment center like Zinnia Health today. Our admissions counselors are available 24/7 at (855) 430-9439.
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