What is a potential side effect of corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are a class of drugs commonly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. One significant potential side effect of corticosteroids is weight gain. This occurs due to several factors: corticosteroids can increase appetite, promote fat redistribution (often leading to a moon face or central obesity), and cause fluid retention. These processes can lead to noticeable increases in body weight, making weight gain a prominent side effect that patients may experience during corticosteroid therapy.

In contrast, hypotension is not typically associated with corticosteroid use, as they can actually lead to increased blood pressure due to fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances. Increased energy is also misleading since corticosteroids can result in fatigue and insomnia in some patients rather than increased energy levels. Dry skin can occur but is generally less common and not a hallmark side effect of corticosteroids, which are more likely to cause skin changes related to thinning or bruising.