Calcium, an important mineral, helps in the building of strong bones and teeth. You can get calcium in foods such as dairy products, which include milk, butter and cheese. You also can take it as a supplement in pill form, MayoClinic.com states. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are medications used to help stop inflammation associated with diseases processes such as asthma and arthritis. You can get topical, low-dosage corticosteroids over the counter, but higher dose oral versions come only with a physician's prescription. Both calcium and corticosteroids may produce side effects.
Constipation
Constipation may occur as a non-serious side effect of calcium, primarily when your body goes through an initial adjustment period as you begin taking the supplement. You may experience difficulty having a bowel movement because your stools may become hard and difficult to move out of the rectum. Increasing you daily fluid intake as well as foods with fiber may help. Talk with your physician if this continues to be a problem.
Stomach Upset
Nausea and vomiting may occur until your body becomes used to the calcium supplements. You may feel sick in your stomach and heave up your food. This, too, often occurs only during the start of calcium supplement treatment and should cease on its own. If this continues after a day or two, stop taking the calcium and call your doctor.
Mood Swings
When you first take corticosteroids, your moods may change rapidly. Corticosteroids may cause you to feel irritated with normal conversation or with your usual circumstances. Although you may feel disconcerted by this, the mood swings should subside as you move along further in your corticosteroid treatment. Ask your physician about mood swings, however, if you experience severe versions of them or they do not end.
Increased Urination
You may notice you need to urinate more often when you take corticosteroids, MayoClinic.com reports. You may have the urge to urinate several times more during the day than you normally would. This should end once you complete the medication course. Typically, your doctor will prescribe a limited, graduated course of oral corticosteroids rather than ongoing use of them. Corticosteroids can cause many more side effects if you take them for the long-term, so in most cases, your doctor will prescribe them for a limited time.
Fluid Retention
You may notice your hands and feet becoming larger and filling with fluid when you use oral corticosteroids, MayoClinic.com indicates. You may even gain some weight. This side effect also should go away once you end your course of treatment with this medication. Talk with your doctor if this becomes a problem and you feel short of breath.
Combination Side Effects
Calcium may interfere with the absorption of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone and prednisone. The clinical reasoning behind this remains unknown, Drugs.com indicates.
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