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EspañolPrednisone overview
BRAND NAMES:
Prednisone Intensol, Rayos
Generic Names:
Prednisone
Uses:
Treats many diseases and conditions, especially problems related to inflammation or autoimmune conditions
Therapeutic Classes:
Corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroid, immune suppressant, endocrine-metabolic agent
Forms:
Tablet, delayed-release tablet, oral solution (liquid)
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Prednisone used for?
Prednisone may be used to treat inflammation, asthma, rheumatic disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormone disorders, skin diseases, soft tissue diseases, blood disorders, cancer, and other conditions.
What form(s) does Prednisone come in
Tablet
1 mg
2.5 mg
5 mg
10 mg
20 mg
50 mg
Delayed-release tablet
1 mg
2.5 mg
5 mg
Oral solution (liquid)
5 mg/mL
5 mg/mL
What are common Prednisone doses?
For allergic reactions in adults: 5–60 mg taken once per day or divided into three or four daily doses
For severe skin reactions: 60–250 mg taken once a day
For asthma in adults:
Flare-ups: 40–80 mg taken once daily or divided into two daily doses
Short-burst treatment: 40–60 mg divided into one or two daily doses
Persistent asthma: 7.5–60 mg taken once per day or once every other day
For asthma in children:
Hospital management or short burst treatment: 1–2 mg/kg/day divided into one or two doses
Persistent asthma: 0.25–2 mg/kg/day taken once per day or every other day
For autoimmune disorders: 5–60 mg taken per day
In children: 0.05–2 mg per kg per day divided into one to four daily doses
For rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis: 5–30 mg taken once per day
For osteoarthritis, gout, or bursitis in adults: 5–60 mg taken once per day
For connective tissue disorders in adults: 5–30 mg taken once per day
For lung disorders in adults: 5–60 mg taken once per day
In infants and children: 1–2 mg/kg daily in 1 to 4 divided doses
For inflammatory bowel disease: 40–60 mg taken per day
For cancer: Dosages vary depending on the condition and the role of prednisone in cancer treatment
For adrenal gland hormone replacement in adults: 2.5–7.5 mg per day
In children: 4–20 mg per meter squared of body area taken daily in 1 to 4 divided doses
To prevent rejection after an organ transplant in adults: 5–30 mg taken per day for three to 12 months
Common Prednisone prescriptions
predniSONE
120ml of 5mg/5ml bottlepredniSONE
500ml of 5mg/5ml bottlepredniSONE
21 tablets therapy pack boxpredniSONE
48 tablets therapy pack boxpredniSONE
21 tablets therapy pack disp packpredniSONE
48 tablets therapy pack disp packpredniSONE
10mg tabletpredniSONE
1mg tabletpredniSONE
2.5mg tabletpredniSONE
20mg tabletpredniSONE
50mg tabletpredniSONE
5mg tablet
How to take Prednisone
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take this medication with food.
Swallow the delayed-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature protected from moisture. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Discard the oral solution 90 days after the bottle has been opened.
What to do if you miss a dose of Prednisone
If a dose is missed, take it when remembered. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.
Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Prednisone contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Prednisone should not be taken by anyone who has had an allergic reaction to prednisone or by anyone who has a fungal infection of the internal organs.
Prednisone warnings
Because of possible side effects, healthcare providers try to use the lowest possible dose.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Though prednisone is not prohibited during pregnancy, it increases the risk of some types of birth defects.
Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your doctor if you have:
Kidney disease
Liver cirrhosis
Adrenal gland problems
Heart failure
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Blood clotting problems
Thyroid problems
Any mental health or emotional issues (including depression)
Muscle disorders including myasthenia gravis
Stomach or bowel problems (including ulcers or diverticulitis)
An active infection (including herpes eye infection, tuberculosis, or threadworm)
This medicine could cause you to get infections more easily, especially at high doses.
Avoid people who are sick with an infection.
Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to chickenpox, measles, or other serious infections
This medicine may also cause the following problems:
Changes in mood or behavior
High blood pressure
Salt and water retention
Decrease in potassium and calcium levels
Adrenal gland problems
Eye problems or changes in vision (including cataracts or glaucoma)
Bone problems (including osteoporosis)
Increased risk for cancer (especially Kaposi’s sarcoma)
Growth suppression in children.
While taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any extra stress or anxiety in your life, including other health concerns and emotional stress. The dose might need to be changed for a short time during periods of extra stress.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain skin test results.
Prednisone interactions
Because of possible drug interactions, tell healthcare providers you are using this medicine.
Tell the doctor prescribing prednisone about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking.
Because of the risk of infection, live vaccines cannot be given to people taking corticosteroids like prednisone.
Avoid alcohol when taking prednisone.
Medications that can cause problems when taken with prednisone include:
Diabetes medications
Estrogens (birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy)
Blood thinners
Macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin
Tuberculosis antibiotics
Drugs that block cholinesterase (in people with myasthenia gravis)
Aminoglutethimide, amphotericin B, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digoxin, digitalis, and isoniazid
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccine.
Some drugs slow down or speed up the body’s metabolism of prednisone. If these drugs are combined with prednisone, doses may need to be modified.
Some examples include carbamazepine, phenytoin, ketoconazole, phenobarbital, and rifampin.
Prednisone side effects
Serious side effects
Prednisone can cause serious side effects. Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Depression, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or red or black stools
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Trouble seeing, blurred vision or other changes in vision, eye pain, headache
Skin changes or growths
Muscle pain or weakness
Seizures
Bone pain, decrease in height
Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less Serious Side Effects
Changes in mood or behavior
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Fluid retention
Round, puffy face
Fatty deposits around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist
Skin changes such as acne
Sources:
Prednisone tablet, solution, concentrate solution prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Prednisone tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Rayos prednisone delayed-release tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine