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Key takeaways
Prednisone is sometimes prescribed to treat coughs associated with inflammation in the lungs, such as with asthma, COPD, or a virus.
Prednisone is not typically prescribed for mild illness, unless there is airway inflammation.
When prednisone is used for a cough, healthcare providers typically prescribe a short-term tapering course to reduce the risk of side effects.
Prednisone is a prescription oral corticosteroid used for a wide variety of medical conditions—such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and allergic reactions. In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe a short course of prednisone to help with a lingering or persistent cough that is not resolving on its own. In these instances, steroids may help with coughs by decreasing inflammation in the lungs and airways.
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Can you take prednisone for coughs?
Prednisone is not a cough suppressant—you will not find it in over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines that are used specifically to treat coughs. However, in some cases, prednisone, as an anti-inflammatory drug, can help relieve a cough that is caused or exacerbated by inflammation in the lungs. In these situations, prednisone can reduce the swelling in the lungs and calm the airways, which helps reduce coughing.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe prednisone for a cough, often in combination with other medications, in situations such as:
- Exacerbation of asthma, including wheezing or shortness of breath
- A flare-up of lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- A cough that occurs after a virus, such as COVID
- A cough that has not improved with other treatments
However, prednisone is not appropriate for all types of coughs. If you have a cold or flu with a mild cough, your healthcare provider will not typically prescribe a steroid. If your cough is associated with a bacterial infection, such as bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, or bronchitis, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics—and they may or may not prescribe a steroid, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms. Prednisone does not directly suppress a cough or treat a bacterial infection, and because there are many possible side effects associated with steroids, healthcare providers will weigh the risks and benefits carefully before deciding to prescribe one.
Prednisone dosage for coughs
Prednisone has many uses, and there is no standard dosage specifically approved for treating a cough.
Healthcare providers typically prescribe prednisone as a short course and will often recommend a tapering schedule—this is because stopping prednisone abruptly can cause adrenal gland problems.
Since there is no exact dosage guideline for coughs, your dose may vary. A typical course of prednisone treatment may start with a higher dose of 40 to 60 mg per day, followed by a gradual decrease every day or every few days, tapering down to a lower dose of 5 mg or 10 mg, before stopping. The length of treatment will vary based on your symptoms, medical history, and response to treatment. In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe a short course of prednisone without tapering, especially if treatment lasts just a few days.
In some cases, instead of prednisone, healthcare providers may prescribe a Medrol dose pack, which contains methylprednisolone—a similar oral steroid. This pack contains the medicine in a convenient prepackaged taper, where the patient takes six tablets on the first day, five on the second, and so on, for a total of six days.
How long does prednisone take to work for cough relief?
It varies. Once you take a dose of prednisone by mouth, it starts working quickly, reaching its maximum effects within two hours. However, depending on what is causing the cough and how severe it is, it may take a few days for the medicine to reduce swelling in the lungs and for you to start noticing cough relief.
If your cough is associated with a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider will likely also prescribe an antibiotic. These treatments also take some time to work, so it may take a few days before you notice an improvement in symptoms.
It is always important to take prednisone exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking it abruptly or change your dose without medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, or if your cough gets worse or does not improve after a few days, check in with your primary care provider.
Prednisone side effects
Prednisone can cause side effects, such as:
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
- Mood and personality changes
- Acne
- Thin skin
- Red and purple blotches under the skin
- Slowed wound healing
- Increased hair growth
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Changes in menstrual periods
- Decreased libido
- Heartburn
- Increased sweating
Prednisone is also associated with more severe side effects, which are more likely if you take prednisone at higher doses or for a long time, such as weight gain, increased blood sugar, osteoporosis, glaucoma, and immune system suppression.
This is not a full list of side effects, and others may occur. You can read more about the side effects of prednisone here.
Who should not take prednisone for a cough
You should not take prednisone if:
- You are allergic to prednisone or any ingredient in the medicine
- You have a fungal infection in your body
While taking prednisone, you should not get certain types of vaccines called live vaccines. Check with your healthcare provider before getting any vaccines while taking prednisone.
If you are considering taking prednisone, be sure your healthcare provider is aware of all the medications you take as well as any medical conditions you have, including:
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Thyroid conditions
- Previous or current infections, including bacterial, viral, or fungal
- Eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts
- Immune system conditions such as HIV, AIDS, or Kaposi sarcoma
- Stomach problems such as peptic ulcer disease or diverticulitis
- Mental health conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Prednisone alternatives for cough
While there are many alternatives for prednisone in general, not all of the alternatives are used specifically for a cough. Healthcare providers may consider other oral steroids such as dexamethasone or methylprednisone, or an inhaled corticosteroid such as a fluticasone inhaler. Benzonatate is a popularly prescribed medicine used to suppress a cough, but it is not a steroid. Promethazine is an antihistamine that is available alone as well as in combination with other drugs such as dextromethorphan (a non-opioid cough suppressant) or codeine (an opioid cough suppressant).
Prescription cough medicine comparison |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Type of drug | Average retail price* | SingleCare price* | Savings options |
| Prednisone | Oral steroid | $168 for 10, 20 mg tablets | $3 for 10, 20 mg tablets at Walmart | Prednisone coupons |
| Dexamethasone | Oral steroid | $30 for 10, 4 mg tablets | $5 for 10, 4 mg tablets at Walmart | Dexamethasone coupons |
| Methylprednisolone | Oral steroid | $45 for one dose pack of 21, 4 mg tablets | $9 for one dose pack of 21, 4 mg tablets at Walmart | Methylprednisolone coupons |
| Fluticasone HFA inhaler | Inhaled steroid | $411 for one, 110 mcg inhaler | $179 for one, 110 mcg inhaler at Walgreens | Fluticasone HFA coupons |
| Benzonatate | Cough suppressant | $65 for 30, 100 mg capsules | $10 for 30, 100 mg capsules at Kroger | Benzonatate coupons |
| Promethazine DM | Antihistamine/non-opioid cough suppressant | $38 for one, 4-ounce bottle | $5 for one, 4-ounce bottle at Kroger | Promethazine DM coupons |
| Promethazine with codeine | Antihistamine/opioid cough suppressant | $23 for one, 4-ounce bottle | $15 for one, 4-ounce bottle at CVS | Promethazine with codeine coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Oct. 23, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like Mucinex (guaifenesin) or Robitussin DM (dextromethorphan/guaifenesin) can be used to treat coughs, especially when prescription treatment is not needed. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which medicine is appropriate for you based on individual factors such as the type of cough (wet or dry cough), medical conditions you have, and any medications you take. This is especially important if you take antidepressants or other medicines that affect serotonin levels, as combining them with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Bottom line
While prednisone can effectively manage certain types of coughs, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the underlying cause of your cough is essential for determining the most appropriate course of action.
- Prednisone, DailyMed (2024)
- Deltasone, PDR
- Prednisone, MedlinePlus (2024)
- Prednisone, StatPearls (2025)
- Systemic corticosteroids for treating respiratory diseases: Less is better, but…when and how is it possible in real life? Pulmonary Therapy (2023)