Prednisone is used for the treatment of allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.
How to use Prednisone
Speak to your medical practitioner to know about accurate dosage instructions. Alternatively, check the medicine label for detailed instructions.
Prednisone may be taken with or without a meal.
If you take the medicine at the same time each day, it will help you to avoid missing any doses.
Do not change your dosage (increase or decrease it) or stop the dosage suddenly without consulting your medical practitioner.
Missed Dose
You must take the medicine regularly for it to be effective. Avoid missing any doses.
If you miss a dose, take one dose as soon as you remember about it. But if it is nearly time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose.
Do not take two doses together to compensate for the single missed dose. It may lead to an overdose.
Storage
Store it at room temperature that is 59 to 77 degrees F (15 and 25 Degrees). Keep it safely in a place that is out of reach of pets and kids.
You cannot use Prednisone if:
• You are allergic to any ingredient in it
• You have a systemic fungal infection
• You are currently taking mifepristone.
Speak to your doctor about:
• Your complete medical history
• Any allergic reactions that you may have to drugs, OTC medications, supplements or herbal formulations
• All medicines that you are currently using
• if you are scheduled for a vaccination with a live virus vaccine (eg, smallpox)
• If you have an underactive thyroid
• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have diabetes, or ulcerative colitis
• If you have heart problems, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach obstruction or perforation, or an ulcer
• If you have a history of mental problems, such as depression
• If you have a herpes infection in your eye or any other type of infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral); have or recently had tuberculosis (TB) or tested positive for TB, measles, or chickenpox.
Important Information
Prednisone when taken with the following medications causes a severe reaction. So speak to your doctor if you are using one of the following.
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin, Clarithromycin azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin, Methotrexate or ritodrine, Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), mifepristone, or live vaccines, Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin.
Prednisone makes the skin extremely sensitive to sun exposure. So using sunlamps and tanning booths is strictly prohibited while you are using the drug. Also, wear protective clothing or use sunscreen before you venture out into the sun for long.
If you are over the age of 65, then you may be more sensitive to the side effects of Prednisone. Maintain caution while using it.
Pregnancy
Prednisone is in the FDA pregnancy category which means that it
Prednisone may cause harm to your unborn fetus if you are pregnant. Speak to your doctor about the potential risk involved.
Prednisone may be excreted through the breast milk and passed on to the fetus. Speak to your doctor about the potential risk involved.
Mild side effects may be commonly seen as you begin therapy with a new medication. These usually fade away by itself and do not require special medical care. However, if they become bothersome then contact your doctor.
The mild and common side effects associated with Prednisone are as follows:
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling of a whirling motion
• Increased appetite
• Increased sweating
• Indigestion
• Mood changes
• Nervousness.
Rarely, some drugs also cause severe side effects that require urgent medical treatment. The serious side effects associated with Prednisone are severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); appetite loss; black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; convulsions; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; exaggerated sense of well-being; fever; general body discomfort; headache; increased pressure in the eye; joint or muscle pain; mood swings; muscle weakness; personality changes; prolonged sore throat, cold, or fever; puffing of the face; severe nausea or vomiting; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weakness; weight loss.
Please seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these severe side effects.
