Contents
Prednisone is an oral tablet and it is available as a drug (generic) and under the brand name “Rayos”.
Prednisone is a tablet that can immediately release or delay and a solution in liquid form.
All these types of Prednisone, you can consume in through the mouth.
Prednisone oral tablet supports in decreasing inflammation (irritation and swelling) in the human body.
It is in use for curing a variety of medical conditions that even include rheumatoid arthritis and sclerosis.
What is Prednisone? Is Prednisone a steroid?
Prednisone is a steroid drug and it is a prescription drug too.
This drug has been formulated to shield the secretion of substances in the body that can be responsible for inflammation.
Thus, it happens to lower down redness and swelling.
It can cure plunge level of corticosteroid levels, or other medical conditions in patients with normal levels of corticosteroid namely skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, breathing disorders, psoriasis, allergic disorders, and lupus.
Prednisone is likely to be utilized the signs of specific kinds of cancer.
It is often used with the combination of antibiotics to cure a specific kind of pneumonia in AIDS or HIV patients.
Moreover, Generic drugs typically cost lesser as compared to the brand-name version.
In a few cases, they are not likely to be available in all strengths or versions as the brand-name drug.
What is the legal status of Prednisone?
- In Australia: S4 (Prescription only)
- In the USA: R-only
How does Prednisone work?
Steroid drugs like prednisone perform their activity by decreasing the performance of the immune system.
The immune system definitely works as the defense system of the human body.
Steroids work through delaying body’s response time to a particular illness or injury.
Prednisone is likely to help in decreasing certain immune-associated signs and these signs include swelling and inflammation.
Additionally, Prednisone is utilized as an immunosuppressant or anti-inflammatory medication.
Prednisone cures various different conditions like different kind of allergies (use of Prednisone for allergies) or other several disorders.
Corticosteroids generate the effects of hormones that your body happens to form in a natural way in the adrenal glands, which is present above the kidneys.
When it is recommended in doses that crosses the limit the body usual levels, corticosteroids decreases (suppresses) inflammation.
It has the potential to decrease the symptoms and signs of inflammatory situations
- For instance
- Asthma and arthritis
Moreover, corticosteroids suppress the immune system too that is able to aid in maintaining conditions in the immune system (mistakenly) strike its own tissues.
What is Prednisone used for?
Prednisone is utilized in treating different health conditions and some of those conditions are as follows
- Blood disorders
- Breathing-related issues
- Severe sort of allergies
- Skin diseases
- Cancer
- Eye problems
- Arthritis
- Disorders that are linked with immune system
- Swelling
- Allergic-type reactions
What are the side effects of Prednisone?
Side Effects of Prednisone
The side effects or negative impacts of prednisone are likely to range from mild category to severe category.
They take place quite frequently at excess Prednisone dosage or with long period consumption.
Short duration consumption side effects are the same to other corticosteroid drugs and these effects are likely to include retention of fluid, upset stomach and increase in glucose level in blood.
Other severe issues arise are possible to take place.
However, when the treatment continues for the longer period of time, elevating in the intensity level the time duration or Prednisone dosage increases.
Some of the side effects are as follows
- Persistent fatigue
- Mood swings
- High blood pressure
- Severe facial swelling
- Sudden anger
- Improper concentration level or confusion
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- The issue of weight gain
- Irregular body functions
- Peptic ulcer
- Blurriness, glaucoma, or cataracts
- Thinning of skin
- Muscle weakness and atrophy
- The body gets bruised easily
- Osteoporosis and the severe risk of fractures
- Osteonecrosis (Bone death)
- Hepatic steatosis (Fatty liver disease)
- Effects on the growth of children
- Psychosis
What are Prednisone side effects in men?
Men are likely to face a few skin related issues like fragile skin, rash, itching, acne, or the issue of red spots and lines.
This mainly because of the fact that Prednisone medication the sebaceous gland activity gets speed and the production of more sebum takes place.
This becomes responsible for hair follicles clog and acne papules start to emerge.
Most of the side effects are similar in both the genders.
Therefore, the Prednisone side effects in women are quite similar to side effects in men.
Things to remember
Prednisone cures various conditions it is totally true but, it is important for you to remember these essential points before you opt for this drug.
The important points are as follows
- If you are suffering from a fungal infection (in any part), do not go for prednisone
- Steroid medication has the tendency to slow down the activity of the immune system, making it possible for the consumer to have an infection.
- It is better to avoid going near people who already have an infection or they are sick.
- Do not go for a live vaccine while you are on prednisone.
- Call the doctor immediately if you are experiencing shortness of breath, severe stomach pain, abnormal stools (particularly tarry or bloody), severe issue of depression, alternation in behavior or personality, issues of vision, or pain in the eye.
- It is not recommendable to inhibit prednisone injections all of a sudden.
- Do follow your doctor’s advice about reducing your dose.
Can Prednisone be responsible for swift weight gain?
1. Prednisone weight gain
This drug has the tendency to be responsible for the weight gain due to the retention of salt (sodium) lose potassium.
This fusion can result in the retention of fluid in the body, Prednisone weight gain, or even in bloating.
Prednisone has the tendency to cause an elevation in the feeling of hunger that indicates that taking excess food and consuming more calories is just gets usual stuff.
2. Prior taking this medicine
You should not utilize this medication if you have allergies to prednisone or you are experiencing fungal infection anywhere in the body.
Steroid medication is able to reduce the efficiency of the immune system.
Making it easier for you to catch an infection or worsen the condition of any preexisted infection.
Do inform the doctor about the infection that you already have.
To make it possible that prednisone is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have
- Any illness that can be responsible for diarrhea
- Heart disease
- Low potassium levels in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Herpes (the infection of eyes)
- Diabetes
- Cataracts
- A thyroid disorder
- Glaucoma
- Tuberculosis
- Osteoporosis
- A history of malaria
- Cirrhosis (liver disease)
- Kidney disease
- History of stomach bleeding
- Ulcerative colitis
- Stomach ulcers
- Depression
- Mental illness
- A muscle disorder like myasthenia gravis
The long duration Prednisone steroid use is likely to take to osteoporosis (bone loss); particularly if you do smoking, if you are not into exercise, if you do not get sufficient amount of vitamin D or Calcium in the food you intake, or if you already possess osteoporosis family history.
It is better to talk to your doctor regarding the risk factors for osteoporosis.
Additionally, Prednisone can be responsible for reduced birth defects or birth weight if you consume the drug during the starting period of your pregnancy.
Moreover, it is better to take you’re your doctor in confidence regarding your plans for pregnancy.
Prednisone has the tendency to get transferred into the milk and it is likely to be unsafe for the infant (nursing baby).
Therefore, do inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother.
Furthermore, steroids have the potential to have an impact on the development of children.
Hence, inform your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal speed while you are on this drug.
How to take Prednisone?
The consumption of Prednisone should be done according to the prescription of your doctor.
Follow the guidelines religiously that are already mentioned on the prescription label.
The doctor is likely to change the dose to confirm that you are getting the optimum results.
Do not take the drug in a huge or in a minor ratio for more than the recommended period of time.
Consume Prednisone with food items
You may have different dosage needs if you are experiencing abnormal stress levels as a severe disease, infection, or fever, or if you have a medical emergency or surgery.
Do not alter the medication dose or set a timetable without the doctor’s advice.
Take the measurement of liquid prednisone with a particular measuring spoon or cup for the dose. If you do not possess one, ask the pharmacist or chemist to arrange one for you.
It is better not to chew; break (a delayed-release pill); or crush, gulp down the whole tablet while you are on Prednisone, you are likely to require blood tests quite often.
Moreover, your blood pressure is likely to need check and balance as well.
Additionally, this drug has a tendency to be responsible for uncommon results with definite medical tests.
Inform doctor that you are on Prednisone so, the doctor can take forward your case accordingly.
It is not suggestible under any circumstances that you inhibit the consumption of Prednisone all of a sudden.
Take your doctor’s guideline seriously regarding the tapering your medicine consumption
It is important for a medical care provider, who is treating you, to have in the knowledge that you are taking a steroid.
Store the drug at the room temperature; keep it away from the heat and moisture
Q1. What will happen if I overdose Prednisone?
Prednisone overdose
It is better to seek immediate medical care or contact Poison Helpline on this given number
1-800-222-1222
Prednisone overdose is not likely to generate threads that are life-threatening.
Yet, long-term consumption of excess dose of steroid is likely to be responsible for the Prednisone symptoms, such as easy bruising; abnormal change in libido; alteration in the body fat (in terms of shape or location) particularly in the back; waist; face or neck area etc are some of the negative signs.
Long term use of Prednisone is equal to Prednisone long term side effects
Q2. What will happen if I miss a scheduled dose?
It is better to consume the missed dose immediately once you realize it.
However, it is better to skip your missed dose if your another dose time (scheduled) is nearer.
Do not, we repeat, do not take excess amount of drug to compensate missed dose.
Q3. What do I have to avoid?
It is suggestible to go near the sick or people who have any sort of infections.
Contact the doctor for precautionary measures if you are at the risk of measles or chicken pox.
These medical conditions tend to be serious or even fatal in individuals who are on steroid.
Do not administer a “Live vaccine” when you are on this drug.
Prednisone is likely to heighten the risk of harmful impacts from a live vaccine.
Live vaccines mean mumps, typhoid, varicella (chickenpox), nasal flu (influenza), measles, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, yellow fever, and (shingles) zoster vaccine.
Stay away from the consumption of alcohol while you are on Prednisone.
Prednisone and alcohol is not a good combination
Q4. How long does it take prednisone to work?
Prednisone is actually an effective pill that starts working in just a period of few hours as soon as you take the first pill.
You will certainly feel much better after the very first time consumption of this drug.
But, some of the patients, with the severe conditions, have the tendency to start experiencing the effects after the period of 2 to 3 days.
Moreover, it also depends on the factors that what is the purpose of consumption or the ratio of the dosage.
Prednisone Dosing Info
Typical dose for nephritic Syndrome (Adult)
At the beginning (for first 3 days): 2 mg/kg/day (upper limit 80 mg/ day) in separate dose 3-4 times per day until urination is free of any traces of protein for the whole 3 days (optimum: 28 days); that is followed by 1-1.5 mg/ kg/ dose given every alternative day for four weeks’ time.
- Maintenance dose for quite frequent relapses: 0.5-1 mg/ kg/ dose taken every alternative day for three to six months
- Typical Prednisone dose for Anti-inflammation: Prednisone 5 mg to Prednisone 60 mg per day in separate doses 1-4 times per day
Typical doses for Nephrotic Syndrome (Pediatric)
At the beginning (for the first 3 days): 2 mg/ kg/ day (upper limit 80 mg/ day) in separate doses 3-4 times/day until urinations gets free from any protein traces for a consecutive period of 3 days (optimum: 28 days); that is followed by 1 to 1.5 mg/ kg/ dose provided every other day for a period of 4 weeks
Maintenance dose for frequent relapses: 0.5 to 1 mg/ kg/ dose given every alternative day for a period of 3-6 months
Typical Dose Prednisone for Asthma
1 year:
Acute: Prednisone 10 mg orally every 12 hours span
Maintenance: Prednisone 10 mg orally every alternate day
1 to 4 years:
- Acute: Prednisone 20mg orally after in every 12 hours
- Maintenance: Prednisone 20 mg orally alternate day
5-12 years:
- Acute: 30 mg orally every 12 hours
- Maintenance: 30 mg orally alternate day
12 years:
- Acute: 40 mg orally in 12 hours
- Maintenance: 40 mg orally alternate day
- Usual Dose of Prednisone for Anti-inflammatory (Pediatric): 0.05 to 2 mg/ kg/ day separate 1-4 times per day
- Typical Dose for immunosuppression (Pediatric): 0.05-2 mg/ kg/ day divided 1-4 times/ day
Q5. How long does Prednisone stay in your system?
Well, the exact time depends on the ratio that you are consuming of this drug but certainly, Prednisone comes completely out of your system within 24 hours.
Q6. How long is Prednisone half life?
Prednisone has a half life of 3 to 4 hours.
Other drugs interaction with Prednisone
There are various drugs that can interact with Prednisone.
Note: we are not listing every possible interaction, just a few popular ones.
So, if you are willing to learn about your specific drug interaction, ask your doctor and he will be able to guide you properly.
Do not use Prednisone with the following medications
- Cyclosporine
- Amphotericin B
- Digoxin, digitalis
- Clarithromycin/ telithromycin (antibiotics)
- Itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole (the antifungal medication)
- The use of hormones and birth control pills
- Warfarin and Coumadin (blood thinner)
- A diuretic or water pill
- Boceprevir or telaprevir (the medication of hepatitis C)
- HIV or AIDS medication like delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, and efavirenz
- Diabetes or insulin medications that can be consumed by mouth
- A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin, meloxicam, and diclofenac
- Carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, Phenobarbital, primidone, pheytoin (seizure medications)
- Isoniazid, rifapentine, rifampin, rifabitin (tuberculosis medications)
This list still does not contain all the possible interactions; do let your healthcare provider know the medicines that you are already on
Q7. What is the generic version of Prednisone?
Deltasone (brand name), Prednisone is utilized to cure the conditions like arthritis; blood disorders; serious allergies; issues in breathing; skin diseases; eye problems; cancer; disorders of the immune system.
Additional information
Do remember, keep this drug and all the other drugs away from the kids, do not share medication with others, use the medicines only for the recommended period and within the recommended dose range.
Do tell your doctor the personal conditions so the things can be specified further.
Q8. Is Prednisone a narcotic?
Prednisone does not come under narcotic.
It is a steroid that is helpful in relieving swelling and inflammation.
Darvocet is a pain reliever (analgesic) that has propoxylene and acetametaphine.
Darvocet has been eliminated from the market in the US.
Q9. How many milligrams of Prednisone can I take?
The starting dose is somewhere around 5 milligrams (mg) to 60 mg per day, it depends on the specific disease and the person taking the drug.
For the immediate-release pills and solution for the oral consumption only.
To decrease side effects, twice the usual dose of this medication is likely to be taken every other morning.
Is there any difference between prednisone and prednisolone?
Prednisone Vs Prednisolone
These both medications are from the same medication class and work in the same way due to this; the prednisone side effects and prednisolone are quite the same.
Yet, the side effects in a few ways, Prednisone has a tendency to cause convulsions.
Q10. What is the price range of prednisone?
- Prednisone cost
- The price range guide depends on the different factors.
However, this given price range is just to give you a rough idea of what to expect at the US pharmacies in the terms of the price range.
The cost of prednisone solution 5 mg/ mL is almost $117 for an amount of 30 milliliters, still, the price will also depend on the pharmacy that you are visiting.
Moreover, this price range is actually for the customers who are paying in cash and these price ranges are not valid for insurance plans.
References:
- https://www.drugs.com/dosage/prednisone.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/prednisone-oral-tablet
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20075269
- https://online.epocrates.com/u/101274/prednisone/Adult+Dosing
- http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/p/prednisonetab.pdf