Prednisone

The dose of prednisone varies greatly according to the condition being treated and on your circumstances. Take prednisone with food to avoid stomach upset. If Prednisone has been taken for extended periods, do not stop taking it without talking with your doctor. When Prednisone is stopped, the dose should be reduced gradually according to your doctor's instructions.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Prednisone regularly, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Prednisone without first talking with your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Prednisone at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may increase your appetite; it may cause unwanted hair growth; it may cause indigestion; it may cause sleep disturbances or insomnia; it may cause nervousness or anxiety; it could cause water retention and swelling. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

5 mg
Each white, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, scored tablet, engraved "N" and "5" on one side and plain on the other, contains 5 mg of prednisone. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium starch glycolate.

50 mg
Each white, round, scored tablet, engraved "novo" and "50" on one side and plain on the other, contains 50 mg of prednisone. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Do not take Prednisone if you:

• are allergic to prednisone or any ingredients of Prednisone
• have an internal fungal infection
• will be given a live virus vaccine (e.g., Measles, Mumps, rubella, yellow Fever, BCG) and are taking large immunosuppressive doses of prednisone
• have herpes simplex of the eye, except for short-term or emergency treatment of allergic-type reactions
• have measles or Chickenpox, except for short-term or emergency treatment of allergic-type reactions
• have peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers)
• have Diverticulitis
• have undiagnosed inflammation of the digestive system (non-specific colitis)
• have a viral or bacterial infection that is not controlled by medications (anti-infectives)

There may be an interaction between prednisone and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Aldesleukin
• amphotericin B
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• anticholinesterase medications (e.g., neostigmine, pyridostigmine)
• Aprepitant
• Aripiprazole
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• BCG
• Calcitriol
• Carbamazepine
• Celecoxib
• Cholestyramine
• clarithromycin
• Cobicistat
• Colestipol
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Deferasirox
• delavirdine
• Denosumab
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, Glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone, Saxagliptin)
• Diltiazem
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• Donepezil
• echinacea
• Enzalutamide
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol; including estrogen-containing birth control pills)
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• HIV protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, ritonavir)
• hyaluronidase
• Indacaterol
• isoniazid
• Leflunomide
• mifepristone
• Mitotane
• Natalizumab
• Nivolumab
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Naproxen)
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• primidone
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Roflumilast
• salicylates (e.g., ASA)
• Somatropin
• Tacrolimus
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines or toxoids (e.g., BCG, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella)
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Prednisone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Prednisone.

Blood pressure: Like other corticosteroids, prednisone can cause fluid retention, leading to an increase in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, or are at risk of developing high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Electrolytes and fluid: If you take large doses of prednisone, you may need to restrict your salt intake and take potassium supplements. Check with your doctor about whether you need any supplements while you are on Prednisone. You may also retain extra fluid that may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor for these effects by checking your blood pressure and doing blood tests to check your electrolyte levels.

Eye problems: Prolonged use of prednisone may cause Glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves or it may produce Cataracts. It may also increase the risk of Eye Infections due to fungi or viruses. Report any change in vision, eye pain, eye irritation, redness, or discharge to your doctor as soon as possible.

High blood sugar: Prednisone can cause high blood sugar. Your doctor may check your blood sugar levels with blood tests while you are taking Prednisone. If you have Diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience increased thirst and urination while taking Prednisone, contact your doctor.

Infections: Prednisone may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. Contact your doctor if you notice any symptoms of an infection (e.g., fever, chills, cough, sore throat), or if you are in contact with someone who has measles or chickenpox.

Kidney problems: Prednisone may be used in the treatment of specific kidney problems. It may also cause increased fluid retention and electrolyte changes, affecting the kidney. If you have kidney problems or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Prednisone to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical treatment: Inform all doctors that you go to that you are taking Prednisone.

Mental health: Prednisone, like other corticosteroids, may cause behaviour and personality changes and mood swings. These reactions are most likely to occur when you first start taking Prednisone. If you experience these symptoms, or notice them in a family member who is taking Prednisone, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Osteoporosis: Prednisone can increase the risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Talk to your doctor about ways to help prevent osteoporosis. Your doctor will monitor your bone density if you take Prednisone for a long period of time.

Stomach and intestinal problems: If you have or have had a stomach or intestinal ulcer, or have ulcerative colitis, discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stopping medication: Do not stop Prednisone without consulting your doctor. When Prednisone is stopped after having taken it for a prolonged period, the dose should be reduced slowly as prescribed by your doctor. Suddenly stopping prednisone following prolonged treatment may result in symptoms of corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome including nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, muscle and joint pain, and a general feeling of being unwell.

Thyroid function: When the thyroid gland is not working well, the effect of corticosteroids on the body is increased and may cause increased side effects. If you have reduced thyroid function (Hypothyroidism), discuss with your doctor how Prednisone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Prednisone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Unusual stress: If you experience any unusual physical stress (e.g., trauma, surgery), your doctor may increase your dose of prednisone during and after the event.

Vaccination: If you are taking Prednisone, vaccines may not be as effective and you may be more likely to experience certain side effects. Therefore, vaccines are usually not recommended while you are taking prednisone, especially when high doses are used.

Pregnancy: Prednisone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Prednisone, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Prednisone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking prednisone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. If you take high doses of prednisone, your doctor may advise you not to breast-feed.

Children: Since prednisone can slow the growth and development of infants and children, it should not be taken for prolonged periods of time if at all possible. Growth and development will be closely monitored by your child's doctor.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Take it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol.