wacotrib Health : Integrative Medicine : Drugs : Prednisone

site web


HealthDay \| Archives

Prednisone

Integrative Medicine > Drugs > Prednisone

Disclaimer

Prednisone

	Pronunciation
	Brand Names
	Foreign Brand Names
	Therapeutic Categories
	Reasons not to take this medicine
	What is this medicine used for?
	How does it work?
	How is it best taken?

	What do I do if I miss a dose?
	What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
	What are the common side effects of this medicine?
	What should I monitor?
	Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
	How should I store this medicine?
	General statements

Pronunciation

(PRED ni sone)

Brand Names

; Deltasone® ; Liquid Pred® ; Meticorten® ; Orasone® ; Prednicen-M®

Foreign Brand Names

; Apo-Prednisone® (Canada) ; Jaa-Prednisone® (Canada) ; Novo-Prednisone® (Canada) ; Wimpred® (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories

Corticosteroid, Oral

Reasons not to take this medicine

If you have an allergy to prednisone or any other part of the medicine.
If you have a serious infection.

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used for the treatment of inflamed areas of the body, severe allergies, skin problems, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, organ transplantation, leukemias/lymphomas, brain swelling, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, spinal cord injuries, Addison's disease, and arthritis.
This medicine is used in other diseases where the anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant properties are needed. Talk with healthcare provider.

How does it work?

Prednisone is a man-made form of an important chemical produced in the body.
Prednisone puts down the body's response to the allergen (the cause of the allergy) and reduces swelling, redness, itching, and other symptoms of allergy.
It also reduces the body's ability to fight infection.

How is it best taken?

Take with food. Take in the morning if you are taking this medicine once a day.
A liquid (concentrate, syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

Wear disease medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung disease, or are an allergy sufferer or if you are going to be on this medicine longer than 3-4 weeks.
Tell healthcare provider if you are currently being treated for any infections.
Unless healthcare provider told you to stop, it is dangerous to run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol increases risk of stomach irritation/ulcers.
If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider. Can cause ulcers.
Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Salt and water can accumulate. Talk with healthcare provider.
Use caution if you are diabetic. Talk with healthcare provider. Diabetic medicine may need increasing.
Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
High blood sugar. Can cause diabetes mellitus while on medicine, usually reverses when stopped.
Menstrual changes. If you are premenopausal you may not have period. If you are postmenopausal you may have bleeding or spotting.
Weakened bones. Take calcium and vitamin D as recommended by healthcare provider.
Weight gain. This is because of salt and water gain or because of hunger and eating more.
Muscle weakness, especially in the thighs and upper arms.
Skin changes (pimples, stretch marks, slow healing if cut, hair growth).
Cataracts, glaucoma with long-term use.
Changes in fat distribution. Fat stores can move to face and trunk.
Belly pain and cramps.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.

What should I monitor?

If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen, talk with healthcare provider.
Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Watch for high blood sugar. Causes many trips to the bathroom, thirst, weight loss.
Watch for signs of infection.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or pain.
For females, vaginal discharge and/or itching.
Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased ability to walk.
Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Menstrual changes. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating, dizziness, especially if you missed a dose or recently stopped this medicine.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

Store in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Related Information

Substances depleted by this drug

View Depletions

Interactions with herbs

Licorice

Uva Ursi

Interactions with supplements

Calcium

Magnesium

Potassium

Analyze Yourself

Calculate your body mass.
Analyze yourself for depression.
Rate yourself for thyroid disease.
Do you have a sinus infection?

Ford F-150 2009. 4.6L, 8 CYL., Automatic, SMPI, Blue. Call (254)826-3673...(more)

Mazda RX-8, 2004, 1.3L Rotary MPFI OHV, Subcompact Car...(more)

Ford F-150, 2004, 5.4L V8 24V MPFI SOHC, Standard Pickup Truck...(more)

View All Top Cars | Place an Ad

By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement. About our ads
Registered site users, you may edit your profile.
Having trouble? Visit our help & FAQ.

Aging
Allergy & Respiratory
Alternative Medicine
Bone & Joint
Brain & Nervous System
Cancer
Caregiving
Circulatory System
Clinical Trials
Cold & Flu
Cosmetic
Cosmetic Surgery
Dental & Oral
Diabetes
Disabilities
Environmental
Eye Care & Vision
Fitness
First Aid
Gastrointestinal
Head & Neck
Health & Technology
Hearing
Heart & Cardiovascular
Infectious Disease
Kids' Health
Men's Health
Mental Health
Migraine & Headache
Nutrition & Diet
Physical Therapy
Public Health
Sexual Health
Skin Health
Sleep Disorders
Smoking & Tobacco
Sports Medicine
Substance Abuse
Travel Health
Women's Health
Other Health News