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What side effects can corticosteroids cause in organ transplant recipients?
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British surgeon Andrew Ready flushing a donated kidney during a transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England, 2006.
Corticosteroids, such as cortisone, prednisone, and prednisolone, are essential for managing organ transplant recipients, particularly during rejection crises. However, their use is associated with several significant side effects.1
These medications can cause the following health issues:
- Increased Infection Risk: They predispose the body to infections.1
- Physical Changes: Recipients may experience weight gain and complexion issues, including a swollen face.1
- Metabolic and Skeletal Effects: Use can lead to the development of diabetes and cause bones to become brittle.1
- Developmental Impact: In children, corticosteroids can result in stunted growth.1
While these side effects are injurious, most transplant recipients require these drugs to prevent graft rejection. In some cases, medical teams may be able to reduce or discontinue the dosage after several months as the patient adapts to the graft, which subsequently lowers the risk of infection.2