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Can you take prednisone for a sore throat?

Wondering if prednisone helps a sore throat? Discover how it works, when it's prescribed, dosage details, side effects, and more effective treatment options.
Rx bottle: Can you take prednisone for a sore throat?

Key takeaways

  • Prednisone is a prescription corticosteroid that may be prescribed to treat a sore throat if there’s significant pain and inflammation present.

  • While medical experts state that prednisone can help with sore throats, the medication doesn’t treat the common underlying causes of the symptom, such as strep throat, mono, and tonsillitis.

  • Prednisone doesn’t cause a sore throat, but its effect on the immune system can make you more susceptible to developing infections that may cause a sore throat.

  • More effective treatments for a mild or acute sore throat include home remedies like throat lozenges and gargling a saltwater mixture, as well as over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and NSAIDs for symptom relief.

  • If a bacterial infection causes the sore throat, a healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, to treat the condition.

Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos) is a prescription corticosteroid used to treat various common medical conditions related to allergies, inflammation, or autoimmune disorders, such as asthma, blood disorders, cancer, and many others. Prednisone can be effective in reducing symptoms of a sore throat (pharyngitis) if there’s significant inflammation present, but it won’t treat the underlying medical condition causing it. 

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Does prednisone help with a sore throat?

Prednisone is not a first-line treatment for strep throat, with many people turning to over-the-counter medications or home remedies for relief. Antibiotics 

may be prescribed if there is a confirmed bacterial infection, such as strep throat. 

“Prednisone, being a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties, isn’t a direct treatment for most sore throats, which are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections,” says Sean Ormond, MD, a dual board-certified physician in anesthesiology and interventional pain management at Atlas Pain Specialists in Phoenix, Arizona. “While it might offer some temporary relief from the inflammation contributing to the sore throat, it doesn’t target the underlying infection and therefore isn’t a primary treatment.”

It’s suggested that corticosteroids like prednisone can improve sore throat symptoms when the pain is due to upper respiratory tract inflammation. 

According to one systematic review, when combined with antibiotics and analgesia, oral corticosteroids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, or prednisone) increased the likelihood of complete resolution of pain from a sore throat at 24 hours by 2.40 times compared to the patients who received a placebo. Researchers also found that corticosteroids reduced the average time to complete resolution of sore throat symptoms by 11.6 hours. 

Another study stated that a single dose of corticosteroids may be prescribed to treat sore throat symptoms at 48 hours in patients five years and older. Researchers noted that this recommendation does not apply to immunocompromised patients, those with infectious mononucleosis (mono), or those with a sore throat after surgery or intubation. 

William ‘Skip’ Pridgen, MD, a board-certified general surgeon of Tuscaloosa Surgical Associates, P.C., and CEO of PridCor Therapeutics of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, says that if someone has frequent sore throats, prednisone or other steroids may not be the best option. “There are many unwanted long-term effects of prolonged steroids,” he says. “Up to 15% of pharyngitis cases are bacterial (usually streptococcus), making steroids the wrong treatment. For patients with large, infected tonsils, surgery is a better option.” 

Prednisone, or other corticosteroids, is typically not prescribed to treat throat infections, such as strep throat, mono, or tonsillitis. “Strep throat, a bacterial infection, requires antibiotics,” Dr. Ormond says. “Mono, typically viral, mainly needs supportive care. For tonsillitis, antibiotics are used for bacterial cases, and while prednisone might be considered in severe instances of swelling obstructing the airway, it would be added on to the main treatment.”

If you have a sore throat, consult your healthcare provider for a thorough history and physical to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment to relieve your symptoms.

Prednisone dosage for a sore throat

Prednisone dosages for sore throat and related conditions vary for adults and children, says Taher Saifullah, MD, a board-certified physician in anesthesiology and pain medicine and the founder and CEO of Spine & Pain Management Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California. 

“For conditions like laryngitis, tonsillitis, and mono, prednisone doses typically range from 5–60 milligrams (mg) per day, depending on how severe the symptoms are,” he explains. “Adults often start with a higher dose and gradually reduce it. For kids, the dosage is usually based on their weight, starting at around 0.5–2 mg/kg per day. When it comes to COVID-19, prednisone is more commonly used in severe cases to reduce lung inflammation, with doses ranging from 6–60 mg daily.”

How fast does prednisone work for a sore throat?

“Prednisone usually starts working within 24 to 48 hours,” Dr. Saifullah says. “If your sore throat is caused by inflammation, you might notice that the swelling goes down and it becomes easier to swallow.”

Corticosteroids like prednisone can work at varying rates depending on which medical problem they’re addressing and how severe the symptoms are. When it comes to oral corticosteroids, while you can start noticing improvement in symptoms in a few hours, it can take a few days to get the medication’s full effect. How quickly you get symptom relief can depend on the severity of the inflammation and the underlying condition that caused the sore throat.

And, as a previously mentioned research study noted, a single dose of steroids can increase the chances of symptom resolution of an acute sore throat within 48 hours.

However, Dr. Ormond notes that since prednisone doesn’t treat the underlying cause of a sore throat, any relief would be temporary and symptomatic. “The sore throat would likely persist until the actual infection or inflammation resolves through other means,” he says.

Your healthcare provider can recommend the best treatment plan to address your symptoms and get relief.

Does prednisone cause a sore throat?

Prednisone doesn’t directly cause a sore throat, but its effect on your immune system could increase your chances of developing one. “It weakens your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to infections like thrush (a fungal infection) in the throat,” Dr. Saifullah explains. “It can also cause throat irritation, especially if you take it in higher doses or for long periods.”

While a sore throat isn’t a side effect of prednisone, the oral steroid has an extensive list of common side effects that about two out of three people will experience when taking it.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the most common side effects of prednisone to be aware of:

  • Stomach pain
  • Stomach upset, such as nausea and vomiting
  • Face puffiness or redness
  • Unwanted hair growth
  • Acne
  • Weight gain
  • Changes in appetite
  • Mood swings
  • Agitation
  • Rash

Like any medication you take, there’s a possibility that you might experience more severe side effects if it’s taken in high doses or for an extended period.

For prednisone, this can include some of the following serious side effects:

  • Steroid psychosis
  • Muscle damage
  • Diabetes
  • Infection
  • High blood pressure 
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Diabetes
  • Bone tissue death
  • Tendon rupture
  • Bone tissue death

If you believe you’re experiencing serious adverse effects after taking prednisone, please visit your nearest emergency department for immediate medical attention.

Prednisone alternatives for sore throat treatment

As mentioned, prednisone is not typically the first-line treatment for a sore throat. Many alternatives—both over-the-counter and prescription, as well as home remedies- can often be more effective than corticosteroids for symptom relief.

Here’s a look at other treatment options for a sore throat:

Home remedies

Below are some home remedies for a mild or acute sore throat:

  • Tea: Drinking uncaffeinated teas like chamomile, peppermint, green, or ginger can soothe a sore throat. These teas possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling.
  • Throat lozenges: Sucking on a hard candy or cough drop can help soothe a sore throat. This remedy is not recommended for children 4 years old and younger, as there is a risk they could choke on it.
  • Warm water: Gargling a warm saltwater mixture can help calm a sore throat. This method is safe for children over 6 and adults to gargle the mixture and spit it out.
  • Humidifier: Use a humidifier to get rid of dry air that can further irritate your sore throat. If you don’t have a humidifier, sitting in a steamy bathroom can help.

Medications

When it comes to medication, the recommended treatment depends on the cause of the sore throat. If it’s a viral infection, these typically clear up on their own within a week. Your healthcare provider may recommend the following over-the-counter medications to soothe your sore throat:

  • Antihistamines: These medications help block the body’s histamine response by drying up postnasal drip if the cause of the sore throat is related to allergies.
  • Throat sprays: These over-the-counter sprays can provide direct relief to the back of the throat and may contain numbing agents or antiseptics.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can provide relief from pain and inflammation, or a combination of both.

If a bacterial infection is the underlying cause of your sore throat, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Your healthcare provider may either give you one antibiotic shot or prescribe 10 days of oral medication, either in a pill or liquid form. 

In addition to home remedies and medications, it’s important to practice self-care to recover from a sore throat. Here are some tips for managing a sore throat:

  • Eat soft foods, such as applesauce and soup
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid irritants, such as smoke, caffeine, and alcohol
  • Stay home until you feel better
  • Avoid sharing drinks or food to decrease the spread to others

If you have any questions or concerns about sore throat treatment options, please consult your healthcare provider for professional medical advice.

“Prednisone isn’t a primary treatment for most sore throats or conditions like strep, mono, or typical tonsillitis, as it doesn’t target the usual infectious causes,” Dr Ormond explains. “While it reduces inflammation and might offer temporary relief, it has potential side effects and doesn’t address the underlying issue. Standard treatments for sore throats involve supportive care and over-the-counter remedies. Always seek professional medical advice for diagnosis and treatment.”