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.