Prescription strength steroids come in a variety of forms; anything like pills and tablets to topical creams, transdermal skin patches, and injections.
Do oral steroid tablets work as well as those that are given by injection?
Whether you’re using steroid pills because they’re recommended by a doctor for the treatment of a medical condition or you’re considering using steroids bodybuilding, know how they affect the body.
Anabolic Steroid Tablets
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Anabolic steroid tablets are found in a variety of brands as well as generic forms. In the US, popular brand names include:
- Winstrol
- Anadrol-50
- Oxandrin
Steroid tablets may be recommended as part of a treatment plan for some kinds of breast cancers in women or to promote weight gain for individuals dealing with long-term infections.
Individuals using steroid tablets for non-medical reasons often take higher dosages than recommended for a medical treatment.
For example, steroid tablets following a severe injury or illness to rebuild tissues (adult) may be recommended at a dosage of 2.5 mg two to four times daily for up to four weeks. Depending on situation, dosage may be increased to 20 mg a day.
Another type of steroid tablet (stanozolol) may be recommended in dosages of 2 mg three times daily to 4 mg four times daily for five days. Then, the doctor will titrate or lower the dosage to 2 mg once daily or every other day.
Effects on the Liver
Taking steroid tablets can contribute to development of liver tumors or other damage to the liver, especially when used in high doses and for a long period of time.
While relatively rare, it does happen. Anyone interested in taking steroid tablets should be aware of this possibility.
One of the most common signs of potential liver damage – or at the very least that the liver is not functioning properly – is jaundice or yellowing of the skin.
Long-term use may also contribute to urine that is dark in color, or the appearance of dark red or purple colored spots on the body or mucous membranes such as those found in the nose and the mouth.
More common and negative side effects, depending on gender, that have been associated with steroid tablets include:
- development of acne (often severe)
- unnatural hair growth
- a deeper and hoarse voice (females)
- enlarged penis, often with increased erections
- gynecomastia (male)
- an increased urge to urinate (male)
It’s important be be very careful with anabolic steroids as they can be very dangerous to the body.
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Types of Oral Steroids
Oral steroids are often recommended as a first step treatment toward a variety of medical conditions.
Anything taken by mouth is considered an oral steroid regardless of the form it takes (pill, tablet, or liquid drop or spray).
Steroids are classified as one of two different types: anabolic steroids or corticosteroids. Corticosteroid tablets may be recommended in the treatment of a variety of conditions including but not limited to:
- Autoimmune/inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Of course, steroid tablets may also be prescribed for other reasons, but the majority are prescription-only in nature.
One of the most commonly prescribed steroid tablets is prednisolone. Most of them come with side effects warnings.
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Do Steroid Tablets Cause Side Effects?
Steroid tablets can contribute to a variety of side effects.
Milligram strength, dosage recommendations, and frequency of dosage and condition for which the steroid tablet has been recommended can have an impact on not only the frequency, but the severity of side effects.
Some of the most common side effects associated with steroid tablets include:
- indigestion
- a round, puffy face
- weight gain
- increased appetite
- potential for osteoporosis (weak or thin bones)
- thinner skin
Side effects can be exacerbated if you have been diagnosed with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Steroid tablets can contribute to a number of vision issues such as development of cataracts or worsening glaucoma.
Steroids of any type can affect endocrine or hormone functions in the body.
For this reason, steroid users – whether you have a prescription or not – can experience a number of mental and emotional changes including mood swings, increased anxiety or irritability, and sometimes even volatile or hostile emotional reactions.
Interactions
Steroid tablets can also interact with other prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and even herbal supplements.
Before taking steroid tablets, check with a health care professional to make sure that you won’t experience interactions that can be quite severe.
While many users think steroid tablets are safer than steroid injections, always remember that steroids are steroids.
Regardless of the form they take, they have the potential to alter and affect hormone, metabolic, and musculoskeletal activities and functions.
Always use caution when it comes to steroid use whether you’re thinking of steroid tablets or any other form of hormone.
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- Maurer M. Long-term prophylaxis of hereditary angioedema with androgen derivates: a critical appraisal and potential alternatives. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2011.
- Laos C. Performance-enhancing drug use in young athletes. Adolesc Med Clin. 2006.
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