| What is Prednisone?
|
|
Prednisone is a steroid drug that is used to reduce inflammation and alleviate
symptoms in a variety of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and severe cases of asthma. |
| |
|
|
| |
| Are there any side effects associated with Prednisone?
|
|
Prednisone side effects may include euphoria, insomnia, mood changes, personality changes, psychotic behavior,
and severe depression.
If the side effects continue or are bothersome, check with
your doctor. Other potential Prednisone side effects may include bone fractures, bruising, bulging eyes, congestive heart failure,
convulsions, distended abdomen, face redness, glaucoma, headache, hives and other allergic-type reactions, increased pressure inside eyes or skull, inflamed esophagus or pancreas, irregular menstrual periods, muscle weakness or disease, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, poor healing of
wounds, stunted growth (in children), sweating, thin, fragile skin, and vertigo. |
| |
| How is Prednisone taken?
|
|
Follow the directions for taking Prednisone provided by your doctor. Dosages are kept to an absolute minimum. If you need long-term
Prednisone treatment, your doctor may prescribe alternate-day therapy, in which you take the medication only every other morning. The "resting day" gives your adrenal glands a chance to produce some hormone naturally so they will not lose the ability. If you have been taking
Prednisone for a period of time, you will probably need an increased dosage of the medication before, during, and after any stressful situation. Always consult your doctor if you are anticipating stress and think you may need a temporary dosage increase. When stopping
Prednisone treatment, tapering off is better than quitting abruptly. Your doctor will probably have you decrease the dosage very
gradually over a period of days or weeks. You should take Prednisone with food to avoid stomach upset. If you are on alternate-day therapy or have been prescribed a single daily dose, take
Prednisone in the morning with breakfast (about 8 AM). If you have been prescribed several doses per day, take them at evenly spaced intervals around the clock. Patients on long-term
Prednisone therapy should wear or carry identification. If you miss a dose
and you take your dose once a day, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't remember until the next day, skip the one you missed. If you take several doses a day, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember and then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until your next dose, double the dose you take. If you take your dose every other day, and you remember it the same morning, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until the afternoon, do not take a dose until the following morning, then skip a day. |
| |
| Are there any effects of taking Prednisone with other medications?
|
|
Some medicines may interact with Prednisone. Inform your doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
It is especially important to
check with your doctor before combining Prednisone with amphotericin B,
blood thinners, carbamazepine, estrogen drugs, ketoconazole, oral contraceptives,
phenobarbital, phenytoin, potent diuretics, rifampin, or troleandomycin. Prednisone may decrease your carbohydrate tolerance or activate a latent case of diabetes. If you are already taking insulin or oral medication for
diabetes, make sure your doctor knows this. You may need an increased dosage while you are being treated with
Prednisone. If you have a blood-clotting disorder caused by a vitamin K deficiency and are taking
Prednisone, check with your doctor before you use aspirin. You may be at risk of convulsions if you take the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine
while being treated with Prednisone. |
| |
| How should I store Prednisone?
|
|
Store Prednisone at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from heat and light. |
| |
|
Return to health network. |
|
|
