Can a corticosteroid drug cause your blood pressure to rise drastically?

Question

I'm being treated for lupus with prednisone. Before I started taking this medicine, I had no blood pressure issues. Over the past two weeks, my blood pressure has been spiking. Last night it was 205/125 and that is a first for me. I am now told it could be worse and keep an eye on it. Well, I am just now wondering if it is the prednisone since it is a corticosteroid. I'm not sure how it works. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

possible, because the drugs you take circulates in your blood,

Answer 2

Steroids like prednisone  if given long term can cause increased blood pressure chiefly due to fluid retention  which is associated with sodium retention.

Similarly sudden withdrawal of a steroid can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure due to suppression of the adrenal gland. That is why withdrawal of steroids is done slowly.

In your case the steroids have an effect in raising the blood pressure, but there may be additional causes too.

You should inform your physician and get yourself investigated, but do not stop or reduce the steroids on your own.

I am a medical doctor.

Answer 3

Prednisone is a nasty drug, I took it for a short time for Rheumatoid Arthritis.  My white blood count was sky high on it and I felt stoned all the time (it wasn't a bad feeling but I couldn't function).  Here's a link to a similar question with an answer.

Good luck.