common prednisone side effects may include: sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; increased appetite, gradual weight gain; acne, increased sweating, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration; slow wound healing; headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). Major Side Effects cough or hoarseness darkening of the skin decrease in height decreased vision diarrhea dry mouth eye pain sweating Steroid use cannot be stopped abruptly; tapering the drug gives the adrenal glands time to return to their normal patterns of secretion. Withdrawal symptoms and signs (weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) can mimic many other medical problems.