Prednisone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Uses of Prednisone

What is the drug prednisone?

Prednisone is a drug used for health conditions such as:

• arthritis
• blood disorders
• breathing problems
• severe allergies
• skin disease
• cancer
• eye problems
• immune system disorders

Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. These drugs reduce the immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms, such as inflammatory reactions or types of allergies.

What are the rules for using prednisone?

Prednisone is an oral drug that is taken by mouth. To prevent stomach problems, you can take this medication with food or milk, or according to the instructions your doctor has given you.

Prednisone is also available in liquid form. Make sure you measure the dose with a measuring spoon so that the dose is correct. Do not use a tablespoon as they can be different in size.

The dose given will be adjusted to your health condition and your body's response to treatment, as well as other drugs you may be taking.

You may use this medication every day or every other day. To make it easier for you to remember, mark a calendar or set a reminder.

Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when you suddenly stop taking your medication. You may also experience symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle aches, dizziness, fatigue, dizziness.

To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping this medication, your doctor will reduce the dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist, especially if symptoms get worse or persist.

How is prednisone stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the shower or freeze it inside freezer . Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Prednisone dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the prednisone dosage for adults?

The following are the recommended prednisone dosages for adults:

• Prednisone dosage for rheumatoid arthritis: ≤10 mg per day
• Prednisone dose for idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura: 1-2 mg / kg body weight per day
• Prednisone dosage for acute asthma: 40-60 mg per day in one dose or divided into 2 doses for 3-10 days

What is the prednisone dosage for children?

The recommended prednisone dose for children with acute asthma aged 0-11 years is 1-2 mg / kg body weight per day for 3-10 days. The maximum recommended dose for children is 60 mg per day

In what dosages and preparations is prednisone available?

Tablet, oral: 1 mg; 2 mg; 5 mg

Prednisone Side Effects

What side effects might prednisone have?

Common side effects of prednisone are:

• nausea
• gag
• loss of appetite
• heartburn
• insomnia
• sweat increases
• acne

If these effects appear and persist or get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Be aware that your doctor can prescribe this medication for you after considering that the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. Most people who take this drug do not experience serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious effects, such as:

• Muscle pain or cramps
• Irregular heartbeat, weakness, swollen hands / ankles / feet
• Weight gain drastically
• Signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), vision problems (such as blurred vision), vomiting that looks like a coffee color, bloody / black stool, severe stomach pain, mood fickle (such as depression, volatile, volatile)
• The wound has been healing for a long time, the skin is thinning
• Bone pain, changing menstrual times, swollen face
• Seizures
• Easy bruising / bleeding

Although rare, this medication can also raise blood sugar levels, which can potentially worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst or frequent bowel movements.

If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor may ask you to set diabetes medications, an exercise program, or a diet.

Very serious allergic reactions to this product are rare. However, seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic drug reaction, including:

• skin rash
• hives / swelling (especially on the face, tongue, or throat)
• severe dizziness
• difficulty breathing

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. Some people may not experience it.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using this drug?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. Do not use this medication without discussing it with your doctor.

Some things that need to be considered before using prednisone include:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell if you have other types of allergies, such as food allergies, dyes, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

The current studies have not shown a problem, which ultimately affects prednisone use in children. However, pediatric patients are more likely to have bone and growth problems if they use prednisone for a long time.

The dose of use should not be greater than prescribed and the patient must be monitored during therapy.

Elderly

The precise studies conducted at this time have not shown a problem in children specifically that will limit the usefulness of prednisone in the elderly.

However, older patients are more prone to developing liver, kidney, and heart problems as they age, so attention and adjustment of the prednisone dosage for the elderly are required.

Is prednisone safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using prednisone for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This medication falls into the pregnancy risk category D (there is evidence that it is risky) according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pregnant women.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA (United States POM agency):

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Studies in breastfeeding women have shown that prednisone use poses only minimal risk to a nursing infant.

Drug Interactions

What drugs might interact with prednisone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the drug or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

According to Healthline, here is a list of drugs that can potentially trigger interactions with prednisone:

Mifepristone

The efficacy of prednisone drugs can be impaired when taken together with mifepristone.

Bupropion

If you take the drug bupropion together with prednisone, you are at risk for seizures.

Haloperidol

Your heart rate can potentially be impaired if you take haloperidol and prednisone at the same time.

Diabetes medication

Prednisone combined with diabetes medications has the potential to increase blood sugar levels. Some examples of diabetes medications include:

• sulfonylureas (glipizide or glyburide)
• biguanide (metformin)
• thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone or rosiglitazone)
• acarbose
• metiglinide (such as nateglinide or repaglinide)

Blood thinners

Prednisone drugs should also not be taken at the same time as blood thinners, such as warfarin. This is because the effectiveness of blood thinning drugs can decrease.

NSAID drugs

NSAIDs combined with prednisone take the risk of causing digestive problems, such as ulcers and bleeding.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription or nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Can food or alcohol interact with this drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Cataract
• Congestive heart failure
• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland problem)
• Diabetes
• Eye infection
• Glaucoma
• Heart attack
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Infection (for example, bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic)
• Mood swings, including depression
• Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness)
• Osteoporosis (weak bones)
• Peptic ulcer, active or ever
• Personal change
• Stomach or intestinal problems (eg diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis)
• Thyroid problems
• Tuberculosis, inactive — use with caution. May cause the condition to worsen
• Yeast infection
• Herpes simplex eye infection — Should not be used in patients with this condition
• Kidney disease - use with caution. The effect can cause an increase due to the slow elimination of the drug in the body

Prednisone overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.