Figure 1. Adverse effects of glucocorticoids by dose and
duration of treatment
The adverse effects of systemic glucocorticoids are plotted
approximately at the earliest time after treatment initiation (in
months) and the lowest dose (prednisolone equivalent) at which they have
been reported to occur. For example, neuropsychiatric effects occur
early in people taking high dose treatment whereas cardiovascular
disease is not increased in people taking prednisolone unless the dose
has been >7.5mg for >1 year. Even very low
dose glucocorticoid treatment can cause adverse effects if taken over a
long period of time.