Side Effects of Prednisone on People with Nephrotic Syndrome

Prednisone is the first-line medication for treating nephrotic syndrome.However,long-term use of prednisone can bring about a host of side effects on people with nephrotic syndrome.

How does prednisone work to treat nephrotic syndrome?

Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine.It can reduce the permeability of renal blood vessels to reduce the protein leakage in urine.It is an effective medication to control proteinuria in Nephrotic Syndrome.

Side effects of prednisone in nephrotic syndrome

Side effects of prednisone in nephrotic syndrome can be divided into short-term and long-term side effects.

Short-term effects include sodium retention-related weight gain and fluid accumulation,ulceration,glucose intolerance, hypokalemia, mood changes etc.

Longe-term side effects of prednisone on people with nephrotic syndrome mainly include:

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension and congestive heart failure due to long-term fluid retention and other direct vascular effects.

Weak immunity

Prednisone not only can suppress the abnormal immune activity, but also can affect the normal immunity.Therefore,the patients often suffer from weak immunity and are prone to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection.

Endocrine disorder

Endocrine disorder can occur in people with nephrotic syndrome who are taking prednisone.It can cause glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia. In serious case, Diabetes can occur. In addition,impotence, hirsutism and menstrual irregularities can occur in some cases.

Apart from the above side effects of prednisone on people with nephrotic syndrome, the patients may also suffer eye disease, skin disease etc.

How to reduce the side effects of prednisone in nephrotic syndrome? Email to kidneycares@hotmail.com  for more medical suggestions.

In consideration of the above side effects,the patients are eager to find an alternative treatment to prednisone for nephrotic syndrome.

Chinese herbal medicines are recommended to patients with nephrotic syndrome and proteinuria.Based on the patients' specific illness condition,certain kinds of medicines are prescribed.The herbal medicines can treat nephrotic syndrome from its underlying causes and stop it from relapsing completely.