The Horrific Side Effects of Getting Cortisone Injections

Cortisone is a steroid that can be taken orally, applied to the skin, or injected. Topical cortisone, for instance, is a common treatment for eczema. One of the most common treatments for joint pain, inflammation, and allergic reactions is to receive cortisone injections. 

Cortisone injections provide near-instant pain relief and can last for months. Thus, they have become a common arthritis treatment. They are also used to treat other inflammatory joint conditions. Some individuals may even receive a cortisone injection for acne. This is often reserved for severe acne, since there are side effects and many other acne treatments available. Cortisone injection side effects seem to be common when they are used as a treatment for arthritis and in high doses. This makes them a somewhat risky endeavor.

Mood Changes

Cortisone, as mentioned, belongs to a broad class of medications known as corticosteroids. Evidence exists that shows these medications and other steroids can cause a variety of mood changes in some individuals. While these mood changes are usually minor, sometimes they can be quite serious. Typically mood-related side effects of cortisone injections include irritability, anxiety, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. 

In rare cases, however, more serious effects have been reported. They include patients experiencing paranoia, delusions, or depression. The risk and severity of mood changes depend on the dosage of cortisone administered. Doctors typically prescribe the lowest dose that they believe will be effective for their patients. This helps minimize the risk of this side effect, along with others.