How Long To Lose Weight From Prednisone

This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Prednisone can provide much-needed relief for conditions like severe allergies, arthritis, or asthma. But prednisone can also cause you to gain weight, fast due to an increase in appetite or water retention. Even though you can't control the side effects you experience on prednisone, you can do a lot to manage them. To manage weight gain, try eating a healthy diet by lowering the amount of sodium you eat, getting lots of lean protein, and hydrating with water. Also work with your doctor to reduce your Prednisone dosage as much as possible.

This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. This article has been viewed 61, 308 times.

Losing Weight While On Prednisone

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.If you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, you’ve probably taken prednisone at some point. Prednisone, sometimes referred to as the “devil’s tic-tacs” in the chronic illness community, has some fairly intense side effects including weight gain.

But why exactly does it cause weight gain? And what can you do to prevent gaining weight? Keep reading for some practical tips!

I’ve been on prednisone multiple times throughout my ulcerative colitis journey. About every time, I get some pretty gnarly side effects including greasy hair, acne, and weight gain.

Prednisone Weight Gain

I normally pack on about twenty pounds when I’m taking prednisone. I’m an ectomorph, meaning that I have a fast metabolism, so I’m naturally thin. If a stranger were to look at me, they’d likely think that my prednisone weight was my normal, natural, healthy weight.

I’d consider myself to be a confident person, but when I was on prednisone, all of that confidence vanished. I mean, I looked like a real-life bobblehead!

On another level, prednisone is also known to cause mood swings. So my heightened senses made me feel even worse about my weight gain.

Does Prednisone Give You Stretch Marks From Weight Gain?

Water retention leads to that weight gain. It’s also bad news bears because water retains sodium, which just contributes to the prednisone-cause belly pouch and chipmunk cheeks!

Yup, it redistributes your fat. For me—and a lot of others—a good majority of it goes into your face and neck. It’s so common that this side effect is called “moon is diface.”

Everybody is different, and if you can’t lose weight on prednisone, perhaps your medical team can help you find ways to at least stop adding prednisone pounds.

Prednisone And Weight Loss — Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research

Also! I have a previous blog post about solutions to the other side effects I faced like acne, greasy hair, muscle tenderness, and smart ways to deal with hunger cravings!

The point is: almost every medication will have side effects. It’s up to you to get creative, do some research, and think outside the box to come up with solutions that will help with your unique situation.

IBD is much more than an intestinal disease. It’s an invisible illness with sneaky, stealthy side effects and symptoms that strangers wouldn’t notice unless we decide to share them.

Embrace And Reduce Moon Face

Water retention leads to that weight gain. It’s also bad news bears because water retains sodium, which just contributes to the prednisone-cause belly pouch and chipmunk cheeks!

Yup, it redistributes your fat. For me—and a lot of others—a good majority of it goes into your face and neck. It’s so common that this side effect is called “moon is diface.”

Everybody is different, and if you can’t lose weight on prednisone, perhaps your medical team can help you find ways to at least stop adding prednisone pounds.

Prednisone And Weight Loss — Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research

Also! I have a previous blog post about solutions to the other side effects I faced like acne, greasy hair, muscle tenderness, and smart ways to deal with hunger cravings!

The point is: almost every medication will have side effects. It’s up to you to get creative, do some research, and think outside the box to come up with solutions that will help with your unique situation.

IBD is much more than an intestinal disease. It’s an invisible illness with sneaky, stealthy side effects and symptoms that strangers wouldn’t notice unless we decide to share them.

Embrace And Reduce Moon Face