Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

Corticosteroids are known to cause several side effects, and weight gain is one of the most common among these. This occurs due to a variety of mechanisms, including increased appetite that corticosteroids can stimulate, as well as alterations in metabolism and fluid retention. The drugs cause the body to hold onto sodium and water, leading to increased body weight.

Corticosteroids also influence the redistribution of fat in the body, often leading to characteristic changes such as a "moon face" or increased abdominal fat. Patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy are particularly susceptible to these weight-related side effects, making it an important consideration in clinical practice.

In contrast, dry mouth, muscle spasms, and rash are not typical side effects commonly associated with corticosteroids. While dry mouth may occur due to other medications or conditions, corticosteroids do not specifically induce this symptom. Muscle spasms are more frequently linked to different classes of medications or electrolyte imbalances. Rash could occur as an allergic reaction to a medication but is not inherently a direct side effect of corticosteroids. Thus, understanding the physiological effects of corticosteroids helps clarify why weight gain is a prominent side effect.