Drug Name

Prednisone (Prednisone)

Drug Uses

Prednisone is used in the management of inflammatory conditions or diseases in which the immune system plays an substantial role. Since prednisone is used in so many conditions, only the most ordinary or established uses are mentioned here. Prednisone most often is used for treating several types of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus, allergic reactions, asthma as well as very bad psoriasis. It as well as is used for treating leukemias, lymphomas, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura as well as autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Corticosteroids, including prednisone, are commonly used to suppress the immune system as well as halt the body from rejecting transplanted organs. Prednisone is used as replacement therapy in patients whose adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol.

How Taken

Tablets of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, as well as 50 mg. Oral solution or syrup of 5mg/5ml. The initial dose of prednisone varies depending on the condition being treated as well as the age of the patient. The starting dose may be from 5 to 60 mg per day as well as often is adjusted based on the response of the condition being treated. Corticosteroids typically do not produce immediate effects as well as must be used for several days before maximal effects are seen. It may take much longer before conditions respond to treatment. Prolonged therapy with prednisone causes the adrenal glands to atrophy as well as halt producing cortisol. When prednisone is discontinued after a period of prolonged therapy, the dose of prednisone must be tapered (lowered gradually) to allow the adrenal glands time to recover. (See side effects.) It is recommended that prednisone be used with food.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Prednisone is an oral, synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid used for suppressing the immune system as well as inflammation. It has effects similar to other corticosteroids such as triamcinolone (Kenacort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone) as well as dexamethasone (Decadron). These synthetic corticosteroids mimic the action of cortisol (hydrocortisone), the naturally-occurring corticosteroid produced in the body by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids possess many effects on the body, but they most often are used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in those conditions in which the immune system plays an substantial role. Such conditions include arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, confident skin rashes, as well as allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose as well as eyes. Prednisone is inactive in the body as well as, in order to be effective, earliest must be converted to prednisolone by enzymes in the liver. Therefore, prednisone may not work as effectively in people with liver disease whose ability to convert prednisone to prednisolone is impaired.

Missed Dose

Incase you take one dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But, incase you don't remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed as well as take only your normal daily dose. Incase you take more than one dose daily, you can either take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or you can take two doses at the next dose time. Incase you take one dose every other day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal every-other-day schedule.

Storage

Store at room temperature 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F), as well as keep away from moisture.

Warnings/Precautions

Avoid alcohol. Acting together, alcohol as well as prednisone can be damaging to the stomach. Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently as well as keep them away from the mouth as well as eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while using prednisone. Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with prednisone without earliest talking to your doctor. Prednisone may work with estrogens as well as phenytoin (Dilantin). Estrogens may reduce the action of enzymes in the liver that break down (eliminate) the active form of prednisone, prednisolone. As a result, the levels of prednisolone in the body may increase as well as lead to more repeated side effects. Phenytoin increases the activity of enzymes in the liver that break down (eliminate) prednisone as well as thereby may reduce the effectiveness of prednisone. Thus, incase phenytoin is being used, an increased dose of prednisone may be required. Corticosteroids are secreted in breast milk as well as can cause side effects in the nursing infant. Prednisone is less likely than other corticosteroids to be secreted in breast milk, but it may still pose a risk to the infant.

Likely Side Effects

Side effects of prednisone as well as other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to humorless, irreversible damage, as well as they occur more frequently with higher doses as well as more prolonged treatment. Side effects include retention of sodium (salt) as well as fluid, weight gain, high blood pressure, loss of potassium, headache as well as muscle weakness. Prednisone as well as causes puffiness of the face (moon face), growth of facial hair, thinning as well as easy bruising of the skin, impaired wound-healing, glaucoma, cataracts, ulcers in the stomach as well as duodenum, worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, rounding of the upper back ("buffalo hump"), obesity, retardation of growth in children, convulsions, as well as psychiatric disturbances. The psychiatric disturbances include depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, as well as even psychotic behavior.Prednisone suppresses the immune system as well as, therefore, increases the frequency or severity of infections as well as decreases the effectiveness of vaccines as well as antibiotics. Prednisone may cause osteoporosis that results in fractures of bones. Patients using long-term prednisone often receive supplements of calcium as well as vitamin D to counteract the effects on bones. Calcium as well as vitamin D probably are not enough, but, as well as treatment with bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax) as well as risedronate (Actonel) may be essential. Calcitonin (Miacalcin) as well as is effective. The development of osteoporosis as well as the need for treatment can be monitored, using bone density scans.

More Information

Incase you experience any of the following humorless side effects, halt using prednisone as well as seek emergency health examination attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or unexpected weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).Other, less humorless side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take prednisone as well as talk to your doctor incase you experience insomnia; nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset; fatigue or dizziness; muscle weakness or joint pain; problems with diabetes control; or increased hunger or thirst.Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses of prednisone, include acne, increased hair growth, thinning of the skin, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, roundness of the face, as well as changes in behavior.Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.