Prednisone
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Prednisone
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It acts by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation.
Therapeutic Uses of Prednisone
Prednisone is used in treatment of severe allergies, arthritis, bronchial asthma, multiple sclerosis, and certain skin conditions. It may also be used for treatment of other conditions your doctor decides. Prednisone is generally taken orally with a glass of water with food or without food on empty stomach.
Direction of use of Prednisone
Take Prednisone as your doctor tells or use the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet of Prednisone before swallowing it as a whole. Do not miss a dose of Prednisone.
If You Miss a Dose of Prednisone
If you miss a dose of Prednisone, take it as soon as possible. If you miss a dose of Prednisone for long time and it is almost time for the next dose, you should skip the missed dose and start taking it as scheduled for regular dose. Do not take 2 doses of Prednisone at a time.
How to Store Prednisone
Prednisone is stored at room temperature or 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep it away from moisture and heat. Do not keep it in bathroom. Keep Prednisone out of reach of children.
More Information About Prednisone
If you have any doubt about Prednisone, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Prednisone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed and not shared with others. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, you should consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Prednisone
Do not take Prednisone if you have some medical problems and consult your doctor immediately. The medical problems are:
- Allergy: do not use Prednisone if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Prednisone.
- Systemic fungal infection: Prednisone should not be used if you are suffering from systemic fungal infection.
- If you are using mifepristone, you should not take Prednisone.
Some medical conditions may interact with Prednisone. You should inform your doctor if you have any medical condition that may interact with Prednisone. The following medical conditions may interact with Prednisone:
- If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or if you are breast feeding.
- If you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or any dietary supplement.
- If you are allergic to any medicine, food, or any other substance.
- If you are scheduled to take a vaccination with a live virus like chickenpox, measles etc.
- If you are suffering from an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), liver problems, kidney problems, diabetes, or ulcerative colitis.
- If you have heart problems, esophagitis (inflammation of esophagus), gastritis, stomach obstruction or perforation of stomach, or if you have an active ulcer.
- If you have a history of psychiatric problem like depression.
- If you have a herpes infection (viral infection) in your eye or any other type of infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral) of the eye or if you have TB or recently had tuberculosis (TB) measles, or chickenpox.
Some medicines may cause interaction with Prednisone. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine that may interact with Prednisone. The following medicines may interact with Prednisone:
- Methotrexate, ritodrine etc. because the actions and side effects of these drugs may be increased by Prednisone.
- Anticoagulants like warfarin or NSAIDs like aspirin because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased or decreased by Prednisone.
- Hydantoins, mifepristone, or live vaccines because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased due to Prednisone and may not be effective.
- Barbiturates like phenobarbital, carbamazepine, hydantoins, or rifampin because the effectiveness of Prednisone may be decreased by these medicines.
- Clarithromycin (macrolide antibiotics), azole antifungals like ketoconazole, steroidal contraceptives (desogestrel), because side effects, such as weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar, of these drugs may occur if they are taken with Prednisone.
Possible Adverse Effects of Prednisone
- All medicines can cause side effects and many people have no, or minor, side effects due to any medicine. The common and minor side effects of Prednisone are feeling of a whirling motion or vertigo, increased appetite, indigestion, increased sweating, mood changes; nervousness, insomnia etc.
- Get immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects of Prednisone. The serious and uncommon side effects of Prednisone are severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); headache, severe nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, black, tarry stools, diarrhea; changes in menstrual periods; convulsions; mood swings, personality changes, depression, dizziness, sense of well being; fever, prolonged sore throat, prolonged cold, general body discomfort, increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), joint pain, muscle weakness, muscle pain, puffing of the face, swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weakness; weight loss etc.