Table 3.

Adverse Effects Associated with Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy

Adapted from Yang and Lichtenstein163 with permission.
Cutaneous	Atrophy, striae, vascular effects, purpura, alopecia, pigmentation, acne, easy bruising
Cardiovascular	Hypertension, edema, atherosclerosis
Gastrointestinal	Nausea, vomiting, intestinal perforation, pancreatitis, esophagitis
Gynecological/obstetrical	Amenorrhea, gestational diabetes, adrenal suppression of infant
Neuropsychiatric	Psychosis, peripheral neuropathy, pseudotumor cerebri, depression/mood disorders, impaired cognitive function, seizures, insomnia, irritability
Metabolic	Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, buffalo hump
Musculoskeletal	Osteoporosis/osteopenia, aseptic necrosis, growth retardation, muscle atrophy, myopathy
Hematological	Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinophenia, infection, immunosuppression, impaired fibroplasia, decreased mitotic rate
Ophthalmalogical	Cataracts, glaucoma, infection, exophthalmoses, hemorrhage
Endocrine	Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, hirsutism, moon facies
Pediatric	Growth retardation