Steroid-induced osteoporosis
Many people take oral or inhaled steroids, which include prednisone, betamethasone, and fluocinolide, for conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral steroids and high-dose inhaled steroids can cause bone loss over time. If you are on these types of medications for 6 months or longer, you are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, which puts you at high risk for broken bones. Once broken bones occur, healing can take a long time because of the decreased ability of your bones to rebuild due to osteoporosis.
If you are on long-term use of steroids, you should be monitored for bone loss.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: December 1, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine | |
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