Prednisone & Calf Pain
Prednisone is a synthetic form of the drug corticosteroid. It is used to treat many disorders including arthritis, asthma and other breathing disorders, lupus, colitis and Crohn's disease. The medication comes in pill, liquid, inhaler, injectable and topical forms.
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Action
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Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone made in your brain's adrenal gland. The drug works to help prevent inflammation but it also suppresses the immune system.
Side Effects
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If you are still taking the full dose of prednisone and experience muscle weakness, leg discomfort and cramps or pain, including in the calf, you should report these side effects to your doctor, according to Drugs.com.
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Withdrawal
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Stopping the medication suddenly may cause body aches, muscle cramps or pain because your brain may have ceased producing cortisol, reports MayoClinic.
Tapering
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Although withdrawal symptoms will go away, you can help to avoid calf cramps and other withdrawal side effects by tapering off the medication slowly, according to eMedTV. Tapering off slowly allows time for your adrenal gland to start producing cortisol again.
Warning
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Difficulty breathing or facial or tongue swelling are side effects which require emergency help.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Geraint Otis Warlow
