What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a medication that's used to reduce inflammation and help keep your immune system under control when it's overactive. Prednisone is prescribed to treat allergic conditions and skin conditions, as well as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, asthma, psoriasis, chronic respiratory disease (COPD), and a myriad of other ailments.
Warnings
Prednisone is used to treat a variety of ailments, including allergic disorders, skin conditions, allergic colitis, arthritis, lupus, breathing disorders, and psoriasis.
Prednisone should not be taken in the event of a fungal infection that needs oral antifungals. Antifungal topical treatments may not be necessary, but you must inform your doctor about the medications you're taking prior to starting this medication.
Steroids can degrade the immune system, making it more likely for you to contract an infection. Beware of those with illnesses or suffering from illnesses. Do not get the "live" vaccine while using prednisone.
Consult your physician right away for a quick appointment if you experience an inability to breathe, extreme discomfort in your stomach, bloody or tarry stools, extreme depression, changes in behavior or personality, vision issues, or eye discomfort.
It is not recommended to stop taking prednisone suddenly. Follow your doctor's advice on increasing your dosage.
Before Taking this Medication
It is not recommended to use this medication if your body is allergic to prednisone or you suffer from a fungal disease that requires oral antifungal therapy.
Steroids can weaken the immune system of your body, which makes it easier to contract an infection or worsen an existing infection that you've already had or recently experienced. Inform your doctor of any infection or illness you have suffered in the last few weeks.
To ensure that prednisone is suitable for you, inform your doctor that you have:
- Any disease that causes diarrhea.
- Liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
- Kidney disease;
- Heart disease high blood pressure, heart disease, and low levels of potassium in your blood
- A thyroid disorder
- Diabetes;
- A history of malaria;
- Tuberculosis;
- Osteoporosis;
- Glaucoma, cataracts, and herpes infections of the eyes
- Gastro-intestinal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or an occurrence of bleeding from the stomach;
- An illness of the muscles, like myasthenia gravis, or
- Depression and mental illnesses
The long-term use of steroids can result in the loss of bone (osteoporosis), particularly in the event that you smoke, are not active, don't have enough calcium or vitamin D from your food, or have an ancestral history of osteoporosis. Discuss with your physician the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Prednisone may result in problems with birth if you use it in the first trimester. Discuss with your physician if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking this drug. Use effective birth control.
Prednisone may be absorbed into the milk of a nursing baby and could harm the baby who is nursing. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding the baby.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Discuss with your doctor when you believe your child isn't growing at a normal pace when taking this medication.
How to Take Predmisone?
Follow the exact dosage of prednisone as recommended by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Your doctor might alter your dosage to ensure you are getting the best outcomes. Don't take this medication in greater or lesser quantities or for a longer time than prescribed.
Consume prednisone along with your food.
Your dosage requirements may be altered if you experience unusual stress, like an illness that is serious or a fever, or if you're undergoing surgery or a medical emergency. Do not alter the dosage or frequency of your medication without consulting your physician.
Take measurements of liquid medicines using a spoon that is specially designed for measuring doses or a medicine cup. If you don't own an instrument for measuring doses, request one from your pharmacist. one.
Do not chew, crush, or break a delayed-release tablet. Suck it up whole.
If you take this medicine, it's possible to have regular blood tests at the doctor's office. Your blood pressure could require a check.
This medication could cause unnatural results when you undergo certain tests. Inform any physician who treats you about the use of this medication.
Do not stop taking prednisone abruptly. Follow the instructions of your physician about increasing your dosage.
Wear tags for medical alerts or carry an ID card that indicates that you are taking prednisone. Any doctor who sees you must be aware that you're taking a steroid.
Keep at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the dose you missed as soon as you can remember. Do not take your missed dose if it's close to the time of your next dose. Do not take a second dose to make up for the missed dose.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
Prednisone overdoses are not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term usage of high doses of steroids could cause symptoms such as skin thinning, easily bruised skin, changes in the form or position of fat (especially on your neck, face, back, hips, and waist), increased facial hair, acne, menstrual issues, and impotence.t can also cause a loss of interest in sexual activity.
What Should be Avoided?
Avoid being around those who are sick or suffer from illnesses. Consult your physician to get preventive treatment if you've been exposed to measles or chicken pox. These illnesses can be severe or even fatal for those who take medication.
Do not get any "live" vaccines while using this drug. Prednisone can increase the chance of adverse effects resulting from a live vaccination. The live vaccines are measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), and rotavirus. varicella, yellow fever (chickenpox), one kind of typhoid vaccine, and the nasal influenza (influenza) vaccination.
Beware of drinking alcohol if you are taking prednisone.
Side Effects of Prednisone
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you notice any of the following symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction, trouble breathing and swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face.
See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- Eyestrain, blurred vision, or seeing halos of light;
- Swelling in the abdomen, rapid weight gain, and feeling tired;
- Severe depression, feelings of extreme sadness or joy, changes in personality behaviour, seizures (convulsions);
- Stool that is bloody or tarry, bleeding blood from the bowels;
- Pancreatitis (severe stomach pain, upper stomach, which spreads into your back; nausea and vomiting; rapid pace of heart);
- Low potassium (confusion in the heart, irregular heart rate, excessive thirst, more frequent urination, leg pain, muscle weakness, or a limb sensation)
- Blood pressure is dangerously high (severe headache, blurred vision, hearing buzzing and confusion, anxiety and chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizures).
Other side effects of prednisone that are commonly reported might be:
- Sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
- An increase in appetite and weight gain gradually;
- Acne, sweating more frequently, dry skin, thin skin, as well as discoloration, bruising, or acne;
- Slow wound healing
- Headache, dizziness, or spinning sensation;
- Nausea, stomach pain, bloating, or
- Modifications in the appearance or shape of fat (especially on your body, legs, face, and neck, as well as your breasts and waist).
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
A variety of drugs are incompatible with prednisone. There are many possible interactions that are not included in this article. Discuss with your physician all the medications you take and those you stop or start using while you are taking prednisone. This includes:
- Amphotericin B
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin, digitalis
- John's wort
- An antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or telithromycin.
- Antifungal medication such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole
- Birth hormones and other birth control pills
- A blood thinner, such as warfarin or Coumadin
- Diuretic, also known as a "water pill"
- The hepatitis C medicines boceprevir or telaprevir
- HIV or AIDS medication such as delavirdine, atazanavir, fosamprenavir, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir, and ritonavir
- The diabetes or insulin medication you take through your mouth.
- A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, aspirin (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), as well as celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and other drugs
- Seizure medication such as fosphenytoin, caramazepine, or phenobarbital. primidone, phenytoin.
- The tuberculosis medication isoniazid; the tuberculosis medications rifabutin, rifapen, and rifampin
