Common side effects of corticosteroids include:

• Inhaled corticosteroids:
• • Sore mouth or throat, hoarseness
  • Coughing
  • Thrush (fungus infection in the mouth)
  • Decrease in bone thickness
  • High blood pressure in the eye or fluid buildup in the eye
    
    
• Nasal spray corticosteroids:
• • Increased chance of bruising
  • Skin or muscle wasting
  • Weight gain or fluid retention
  • Decrease in bone density
  • Damage to bones and bone cells (avascular osteonecrosis)
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased risk of ulcer
  • Increased risk of eye complications (e.g., glaucoma, cataracts)
    
    
• Topical corticosteroids:
• • Skin blisters filled with blood
  • Itching or burning skin
  • Increased skin sensitivity
  • Numbness in the fingers
  • Increased chance of bruising
  • Raised red spots on the skin
    
    
• Oral and intravenous:
• • "Puffy" face
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach irritation
  • Flushing of face or cheeks

Some side effects of corticosteroid drugs are considered more dangerous, though rare. An individual should immediately contact a physician if they experience any of the following side effects:

• Blindness
• Unusual confusion or excitement
• Hallucinations
• Mental depression
• Eye pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Bloody stool
• Unusual increase in hair growth
• Vomiting
• Delayed growth (in children)

Use of corticosteroids can also lower a person’s resistance to infection. Corticosteroids can also cause existing infections to worsen. Therefore, patients taking corticosteroids should contact their physician if fever or any other signs or symptoms of infection develop.