Cortisol is a Stress Hormone

Prednisone is used for a variety of conditions such as asthma and other lung problems. It acts like a hormone called "cortisol" that your body makes.

Cortisol and prednisone both cause the body to make glucose when you're not eating, such as during the night. They can worsen diabetes control.

Cortisol is a "stress hormone" because the body releases it to deal with stresses like accidents, infections, or burns. That's partly why your body takes more insulin to keep blood sugars near normal during an infection.

If you're taking prednisone and you have diabetes, you will need to take more diabetes medication. Your health-care team can help you alter your diabetes treatment until you can stop taking the prednisone.

Prednisone's effect on your blood sugar will go away a day or two after you stop taking it.