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Generic Name: Prednisone
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Prednisone is available both by generic name and under several brand names.
It is a corticosteroid, or hormone-like medication prescribed for a wide
variety of conditions.
Other cortisone-like medicines that are similar to
prednisone include prednisolone or Delta-Cortef, cortisone or Cortone,
hydrocortisone or Cortef, and triamcinolone, also prescribed as Aristocort or
Kenacort.
Much of the information on prednisone is also applicable to
these other medications.
It is quite effective in short-term treatment
for flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout and other rheumatic
conditions; for short-term or long-term treatment of conditions like lupus (SLE)
or polymyositis; for a number of severe skin problems; to control incapacitating
allergic reactions from hay fever and asthma to poison ivy or drug reactions;
and for many eye disorders.
It is also indicated in certain cancers,
blood diseases, respiratory diseases, multiple sclerosis, a severe kidney
problem (nephrotic syndrome), some endocrine disorders and to tide a patient
over a critical episode of ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis.
Side Effects and Interactions
At high doses, prednisone can lead to salt and
water retention which may raise blood pressure.
Blood pressure should be
monitored. Susceptible people may experience low potassium or congestive heart
failure.
Prednisone may also cause muscle weakness, weakened bones,
peptic ulcer, inflamed pancreas or esophagus, menstrual irregularities and
hormonal imbalances, including reduced ability to handle carbohydrates (insulin
problems).
Rash and itching may be a sign of allergy to prednisone.
The skin may also become thin and fragile, with slower wound healing,
redness and increased sweating.
Side effects involving the nervous system
may include mood swings, personality changes, insomnia, euphoria and depression.
Headache, dizziness and convulsions have also been reported.
Children who must take prednisone should be measured on a regular basis
to make sure their growth is not affected.
Report any symptoms to your
physician promptly.
If you are taking any other medicines, check with a
physician or pharmacist.
Barbiturates, birth control pills, blood
thinners like Coumadin, estrogen replacement therapy like Premarin, seizure
medicine such as Dilantin or Peganone and the tuberculosis treatment rifampin
can all interact seriously with prednisone.
Even over-the-counter drugs
like aspirin or Pepto-Bismol may be affected.
Special Precautions
Prednisone should not be taken when there is a systemic fungal infection.
Prednisone may reduce the body's resistance to infection and mask the signs of a new infection, including certain laboratory tests for infection.
Long-term use of prednisone may increase the risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma. Regular eye check-ups are advisable.
In addition, prednisone, like other corticosteroids, increases calcium loss and long-term use may result in weakened bones.
Taking the Medicine
The lowest effective dose should be used.
Because dosage regimens vary depending on what
condition is being treated, be sure you understand exactly how many pills you should take and when
you should take them.
For some conditions, early morning (before 8 a.m.) is
preferable.
The doctor may prescribe prednisone to be taken every other day rather than every day.
Stopping prednisone abruptly may result in symptoms of inadequate adrenal gland function. To avoid this, you may be instructed to taper off prednisone gradually.
This is important, as it may take months for the adrenal gland to return to normal if it is suppressed.
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000
Reader Comments
I have PMR & have taken this for the past 8 months beginning with 40 mg. I am now down to 10 mg per day. The doctor tried reducing it to 5 mg but I ran into problems. I haven't had any side effects except my skin is thinner & I have noticed it doesn't heal as well.
Posted by: Lorna H Hale | September 4, 2007 10:21 AM
I am on my second round of Medrol, since Feb--for muscular weakness, inflammation & high CPK numbers--possibly linked to Zetia, a virus, or Myositis. Leg biopsy & other tests are inconclusive. Weakness went away after several months of a daily dose of 64 mg. of Medrol. Within 4 weeks, the problem reappeared--almost as bad as before. It continues to worsen each day, and the side effects of Medrol are devastating! Losing weight, hair, thin skin, seizures, insomnia, tremors--so very bad. Any suggestions? Please.
Posted by: JN | September 23, 2007 12:55 PM
I took Prednisone several times for Respitory infections. I was started on 60 mg. for three days tapering off to ten. Each time, I ended up in the hospital for rapid heartbeat (A-Fib) and high blood sugar levels. I always feel worse while I'm on it. Doctor says I will feel worse, but it wil improve my lungs. I am on several other medications, Coumadin, Cardizem, Gly/Met.,Metropol. Simvistatin, Digitek.
Posted by: C.G. | January 9, 2008 4:13 PM
I am on Prednisone for RA. I have been on 5 mg for two years. Last summer I tried to reduce my dosage but ran into flares with my RA, so now I am back to 5. This spring we are going to try again. Is there any other drug that I could replace the Prednisone with to assist me in getting off the stuff? I feel fine on it but have gained weight and would like to get back to normal. I also take Methatrexate, 25mg and 300 mg of Remicade. I supplement with Foxamax weekly, 1500mg calcium, 1mg of folic acid daily.
Thanks for any information that you can give me... k. tate
Posted by: Kathy | January 30, 2008 6:45 PM
I'm on prednisone 10 mg for pain in back and neck. On day 3 of taking the medication, I had an allergic reaction--red spots and rash. I understand that I can not discountinue the medication, so I took benadryl after prednisone. A friend told me to discontinue prednisone and start with benadryl. What should I do?
Posted by: OA | March 3, 2008 9:32 AM
I am taking prednisone for ulcerative colitis. I was off of the prednisone one month of Febuary 2008 and had to be put back on. I am taking 40 mg, and then I will go down to 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 mg. How long can I take prednisone for ulcerative colitis, because I will have a flareup with my disease? I have been told by my GI doctor that you have to be on it for a short period of time because prednisone is a steroid and it is not good for anyone to be on for so long. It has helped me with my bowel movements. When I have diarrhea and blood in the stool, any other medication that is over the counter will not stop the diarrhea or the blood in the stool. I would like to know your advice. Prednisone has helped me to stay better. Plus I am taking another medication with my disease and it is called Lialda.
Posted by: Kirk | March 9, 2008 10:16 PM
My mom is taking prednisone for her inflamed and itching legs. She is 90.
She is having bad headaches now. Is that from the prednisone?
Posted by: tere J. | July 12, 2008 1:26 PM
I was on Prednisone from November '07-April '08 as part of treatment for Non Hodgken's Lymphoma. I experienced stomach pain, possible ulcer while on it. I took an incredibly large amount of different drugs most of which gave me side effects. I'm done with chemo but I continue to have problems due to all the drugs. The worst is vomiting & I never know what may cause it to occur. Also I get dizzy from time to time. Anyone out there who went through treatment for Lymphoma I'd like to hear from. I was on RCHOP.N.L.
Posted by: N.L | August 29, 2008 2:00 PM
Several years ago I broke out in hives. My Internal Medicine Doc put me on Prednizone and the hives went away immediately. However, within several days of finishing the dose pack, the hives came back. We went through this about 4 times.
I had two serious reactions. One I was taking an antidepressant and became suicidal, two I gained 30 lbs and have not been able to drop more than 10 lbs. I finally went to an Allergist who put me on a simple antihistimen--no more hives.
I do need to acknowledge my IM Doc had tried double doses of Claritin which had no effect.
Posted by: jp | August 30, 2008 5:14 PM