What is Prednisone? Uses, warnings & side effects
Prednisone is a commonly prescribed corticosteroid used to treat a variety of common medical conditions involving allergies, inflammation, or an overactive immune system. Prednisone affects nearly every system in the body, so it’s a powerful treatment but can also have significant side effects. Healthcare providers try to use it at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.
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Prednisone 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, immunosuppressant, 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, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune diseases, hormone disorders, skin and soft tissue diseases, blood disorders, cancer, and other conditions.
Key takeaways
Prednisone is a powerful and often life-saving medication. Take it as advised by a healthcare professional.
As a strong medication, prednisone can also have significant side effects. Only take it as directed.
If you have been taking prednisone for more than a few days, don’t stop it suddenly. Your healthcare provider will instruct you how to lower the dose over a period of time before stopping it.
Try to take prednisone at around the same time each day with food.
Because prednisone affects the immune system, you could be more prone to infections while taking it. Seek medical attention if you’re not feeling well.
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 mg
5 mg
Oral solution (liquid)
5 mg/5 mL
5 mg/mL
What are common Prednisone dosages?
For allergic and inflammatory reactions in adults: 5–60 mg per day divided into one to four daily doses
In children: 0.05-2 mg per kg per day divided into one to four daily doses
For asthma in adults:
Emergency treatment of flare-ups: 40–80 mg taken once daily or divided into two daily doses
Short-burst outpatient treatment: 40–60 mg divided into one or two daily doses for 3 - 10 days
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 per kg per day divided into one or two doses for 3 to 10 days
Persistent asthma: 0.25–2 mg per kg per 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 cancer: Dosages vary depending on the condition and the role of prednisone in cancer treatment
For adrenal gland hormone replacement in adults: 4-5 mg per meter squared of body area taken daily
In children: 4–20 mg per meter squared of body area taken daily in 1 to 4 divided doses
Most prednisone doses will depend on the condition being treated, body weight, and a person’s response to the drug.
Prednisone images - What does Prednisone look like?
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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 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 - Who shouldn't take Prednisone?
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 perform lab tests at regular visits to monitor 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 parasitic infection)
Latent tuberculosis that hasn’t been treated
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. During periods of extra stress, the dose might need to be changed for a short time.
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 test results.
Prednisone interactions & what to avoid when taking Prednisone
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 - How does Prednisone make you feel?
Serious side effects
Prednisone can cause serious side effects. Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice:
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
Chest pain or shortness of breath
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, fractures, or a 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
Mild 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 or hair growth
Changes in menstrual cycle
Trouble sleeping
Mild headache or dizziness
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
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