The short answer is yes they can, the longer one is, that the longer period of time you are on steroids, the more likely you are to develop side effects. They prefer short bursts of a slightly stronger dose, but it does depend on why it is being prescribed. You might also find that taken daily, over time it would take more to get the same effect they do tend to have a crescendo effect & that goes for side effects too.

Im not sure if they can be or not. Im not very smart when it comes to medications I know what mine do and why it is necessary that i have to take them or i will get sicker. I try to take as little medication ad possible only what i absolutely have to have to survive.

I actually take 5 mg. of prednisone on a daily basis and I have taken it for over 30+ years which is way too long! On a short term basis, it is a wonder drug and keeps my illness stable. On the other hand, there are bad side effects if you take it too long. It can cause you to gain a lot of weight, you can't just stop taking it whenever you feel like it, you have to be weened off slowly, and it does major damage to your teeth. All, I can really suggest is to be careful with it. Hope this helps!

I take low dose of Cortef twice a day because of Adrenal Insufficiency. I had to take a ACTH Challenge to be sure that it was necessary. If I am sick with a fever I have to up my dose.
Have your cortisone levels been checked to see if they are normal. Mine were not, they were low, and this challenge test supposedly tells them what part of the "chain of command" is not functioning. Is your pituitary not telling your adrenals to make hormone or is adrenal gland getting message but not acting?etc. Then they give you the biologically equivalent dose to make up what hours lack.
If your adrenals don't work at all, I believe it is Addison Disease. I am short of that.
The first test just to check your blood levels of cortisone is pretty standard. I would think you could get your doctor to check it. It would be great if someone could feel better😀!

Thank you, I see my Dr Monday and will be asking about this