Does Prednisone Cause Insomnia?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 20th, 2026.
Yes, prednisone frequently causes insomnia and other sleep disturbances in patients. This corticosteroid medication increases cortisol levels, which naturally peak in the morning and can disrupt your body's circadian rhythm when elevated artificially. Studies show that up to 70% of patients taking prednisone experience some form of sleep disruption, including difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakening, or early morning awakening. The insomnia effect is dose-dependent, meaning higher doses typically cause more severe sleep problems. Taking prednisone early in the morning rather than evening can help minimize sleep interference by aligning with your natural cortisol cycle.
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