What is Prednisone used for?

Prednisone 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 physician.

How should I use Prednisone?

Take Prednisone with food. Take in the morning if you are taking this medicine once a day.

What are the side effects of Prednisone?

Adverse effects do not occur in all patients and are usually related to the amount and length of time prednisone is used. Potential adverse effects will be monitored by your physician and include: Insomnia and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain, susceptibility to infections, stomach upset (indigestion, stomach burning) or ulcer, fluid retention, hypertension, hyperglycemia or diabetes (elevated blood sugar). If prednisone is stopped too quickly, serious adverse effects can occur (nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, and/or flare-up of disease). Rapid withdrawal or stopping of prednisone may cause these adverse effects. Never stop or change your prednisone dose without your physicians consent. If you are planning a trip, always carry an extra supply.

Please Note

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 physician if you are currently being treated for any infections. Unless physician told you to stop, it is dangerous to run out of this medication. Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol increases risk of stomach irritation/ulcers. If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell physician. Can cause ulcers.

Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Salt and water can accumulate. Talk with physician. Use caution if you are diabetic. Talk with physician. Diabetic medicine may need increasing. Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may increase. Talk with physician. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other physicians about this medicine. Tell physician 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 physician if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. Tell physician if you are breast-feeding.