Prednisone is a corticosteroid medicine that can help reduce inflammation if your immune system is overactive. It treats various illnesses, including asthma, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lupus, psoriasis, allergic diseases, skin issues and Crohn’s disease. Prednisone comes in three main forms — liquid, delayed-release tablets, and pills with an immediate release.
So, without further ado, let’s delve further into the many prednisone uses and its dosage, and learn more about prednisone side effects.
Prednisone Uses
Prednisone often treats several illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis, blood disorders, eye problems, severe allergies, breathing issues, skin diseases, cancer, and immune system abnormalities. Prednisone is a member of the corticosteroid medication class. Prednisone used for inflammation works by reducing it, calming a hyperactive immune system, or replacing cortisol that the body normally produces. The hormone cortisol is crucial to how the body reacts to stress, diseases, and damage.
Prednisone Dosage and When to Take It?
Take this medication orally, preferably with a glass of milk or water. This can be taken with food. It is important to follow the directions on the prescription label. If the medication is taken in liquid form, measure the prednisone dosage precisely using a spoon or a measuring tool. If you take the medication once daily, take it in the morning.
Based on your medical condition and response to therapy, your doctor will decide on prednisone dosage, the course of action and the duration for which you should take it. Because the medication can have adverse effects, don’t stop taking it without first consulting your doctor.
Prednisone Side Effects
When taken for a short time and in smaller doses, mild prednisone side effects can happen. Consult a doctor if side effects worsen or continue.
Common prednisone side effects may include:
- Acne
- Changes in behaviour or mood
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased blood sugar
- Increased appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Fluid retention
- Restlessness and inability to stay still
- Thinning skin
- Weight gain
Severe prednisone side effects typically include allergic reactions, infections, digestive problems, and high blood sugar. This might happen if patients on prednisone uses the medication in higher doses or for a longer period of time. Women are more prone to encounter few of these adverse effects than males.
Precautions to Take While Consuming Prednisone
- If you are allergic to prednisone, other drugs, or inactive components in prednisone tablets or solutions, let your doctor and chemist know immediately.
- Prednisone can keep you from experiencing symptoms if you have an infection while also decreasing your body’s capacity to fight it. Avoid contact with sick people when taking this medicine, and do your best to keep your hands clean.
- If used longer, this medicine can retard a child’s growth. To learn more, speak to your physician. Regular medical visits will allow the growth and height of your child to be monitored.
- This medicine may result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Consumption of alcohol on a regular basis while taking this medication, may raise your risk of stomach bleeding.
- During pregnancy, this drug should be taken only when necessary. It is quite unlikely to cause harm to an unborn baby.
- Elderly people may be more vulnerable to this medication’s adverse effects, including bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding and mental/emotional problems.
Conclusion
As discussed, there are multiple prednisone uses. It is a highly flexible corticosteroid medication that is useful in treating a variety of illnesses related to immune system malfunction. It is a key component in the treatment of conditions ranging from autoimmune illnesses to asthma because of its capacity to reduce inflammation and alter immunological responses.
However, users need to be aware of any possible adverse effects, especially if using a high amount or relying on it for an extended period of time. Prednisone used for inflammation, can also be used to maximise therapeutic advantages while minimising risks. This can be done by following the prescribed dosages, regularly consulting healthcare practitioners and taking preventive actions.
