Prednisone

Drug name

Prednisone (Prednisone)

Drug Uses

Prednisone is intended to treat inflammatory processes when the immunity is important than whenever else. Here only the most usual and tested prescriptions to use prednisone are listed. This drug is recommended when treating arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus, allergic reactions, asthma and severe psoriasis as well as leukemias, lymphomas, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is also prescribed to use corticosteroids which contain prednisone after transplantation surgeries to prevent rejection of new organs. Prednisone is recommended in replacement therapy when amount of cortisol produced by adrenal glands is not enough.

How Taken

Prednisone comes in the form of tablets of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg and syrup of 5mg/5ml. The dosage prescribed depends upon the patient’s condition and its age. The initial dosage can varies between 5 to 60 mg per day then it should be coordinated in accordance with the changes of the patient’s condition. As for corticosteroids it is recommended to wait several days before the effects will shoe up. However condition could take too much time to change after treatment. Prednisone could cause the adrenal glands atrophy and its ceasing to produce cortisol at all. In such situations the dosage of prednisone should be decrease to enable adrenal glands to recover. The drug should be taken while meal.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Prednisone is an oral, synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. It has effects similar to other corticosteroids such as triamcinolone (Kenacort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone) and dexamethasone (Decadron). These synthetic corticosteroids mimic the action of cortisol (hydrocortisone), the naturally-occurring corticosteroid produced in the body by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids have 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 important role. Such conditions include arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Prednisone is inactive in the body and, in order to be effective, first 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

In case your daily dosage is 1 tablet and you have missed to take it you should take it as you have remembered about it. In case you have remembered about it only at the next day then you should take only one tablet. In case your daily dose is more then 1 tablet and you have missed to take it then you should take the medicine at the moment you have remembered about it or just take two doses at the next time according to your dosing schedule. In case you take medicine 1 time in 2 days and you have missed to take it just take it at the moment you have remembered and then return to your dosing schedule.

Storage

The medicine should be kept at 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F) in a dry place.

Warnings Precautions

Avoid alcohol. Acting together, alcohol and prednisone can be damaging to the stomach. Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from the mouth and eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while taking prednisone. Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with prednisone without first talking to your doctor. Prednisone may interact with estrogens and 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 and lead to more frequent side effects. Phenytoin increases the activity of enzymes in the liver that break down (eliminate) prednisone and thereby may reduce the effectiveness of prednisone. Thus, if phenytoin is being taken, an increased dose of prednisone may be required. Corticosteroids are secreted in breast milk and 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.

Possible Side Effects

Taking prednisone and other corticosteroids in big amounts and for a long time can cause such different side effects negligible as well as serious ones. The possible side effects are retention of sodium (salt) and fluid, weight gain, high blood pressure, loss of potassium, headache and muscle weakness. It can also lead to puffiness of the face (moon face), growth of facial hair, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, impaired wound-healing, glaucoma, cataracts, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum, worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, rounding of the upper back ("buffalo hump"), obesity, retardation of growth in children, convulsions, and psychiatric disturbances. The last ones mean depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, as well as psychotic behavior. Taking this drug lowers the immunity of patient’s organism and the work of vaccine and antibiotics so as a result it leads to more often and worse infections. This drug can also lead to osteoporosis and fractures of bones as a result. That is why long treatment by prednisone should be accompanied by taking calcium and vitamin D to prevent the negative effect on bones. Moreover calcium and vitamin D can be supplemented with bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) or calcitonin (Miacalcin). To keep an eye on the possible osteoporosis the bone density scans are recommended.

More Information

You should cease to take the medicine and contact your doctor or any first medical aid in case you got one of the following side effects: 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 sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two). More negligible side effects can take place, continue your treatment and contact you doctor in case you have insomnia; nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset; fatigue or dizziness; muscle weakness or joint pain; problems with diabetes control; or increased hunger or thirst. There could be also such side effects as acne, increased hair growth, thinning of the skin, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, roundness of the face, and changes in behavior. However they are very seldom and usually caused by drug overdose. In case you have any other side effect not listed above contact your doctor.