To treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels, prednisone is prescribed either alone or in combination with other drugs (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). Those with normal corticosteroid levels can also take prednisone to treat other ailments. In addition to lupus, which causes the body to attack many of its own organs, these conditions also affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines. They also include specific types of arthritis, severe allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis (a disease in which the nerves do not function properly), and severe allergic reactions. Moreover, certain types of cancer’s symptoms may occasionally be treated with prednisone. Prednisone belongs to a group of drugs known as corticosteroids. By substituting the steroids that the body would typically naturally manufacture, it helps patients with low levels of corticosteroids. It acts to cure other illnesses by lowering inflammation and redness and altering how the immune system functions.

Prednisone is available in the following forms: tablets, delayed-release tablets, liquid solutions, and concentrated solutions for oral administration. Prednisone is often given once every other day or one to four times a day with food. You’ll most likely be instructed by your doctor to take your prednisone dose(s) at specific times each day. Your illness and how you react to treatment will determine your individual dose regimen. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the prednisone instructions exactly. Never take it in larger or less amounts, or for longer periods of time than your doctor has advised.

Use the medication’s included, properly labelled dropper to measure your dose if you’re taking the concentrated solution. The concentrated solution can be combined with juice, other flavoured beverages, or soft meals like applesauce.

Do not chew or crush the delayed-release tablet; instead, swallow it whole.

Throughout your therapy, your doctor may frequently adjust your prednisone dosage to ensure that you are always receiving the lowest amount that is effective for you. If you suffer unexpected stress on your body, such as surgery, illness, infection, or a severe asthma attack, your doctor might need to adjust your dose. During your therapy, let your doctor know if your symptoms grow better or worse, if you get sick or experience any changes in your health.

Prednisone won’t be able to cure a chronic illness that you are treating with it, but it may assist regulate it. Prednisone should still be used even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking prednisone. Your body may not have enough natural steroids to operate normally if you abruptly stop taking prednisone. Extreme fatigue, weakness, sluggishness, upset stomach, weight loss, skin colour changes, mouth sores, and a salt desire are just a few of the symptoms that may result from this. If you develop any of these or any other strange symptoms while using prednisone at decreasing amounts or after stopping the medicine, call your doctor right once.

In some cases, prednisone is combined with antibiotics to treat a particular type of pneumonia in AIDS patients (AIDS). The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking prednisone,

• If you have any allergies, including to any inactive substances in prednisone pills or solutions, tell your doctor and chemist right away. You can obtain a list of the inactive substances by asking your doctor or chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: Amiodarone (Pacerone); blood-thinning medications such warfarin (Coumadin); a few antifungals, including aspirin, carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); delavirdine (Rescriptor), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, among others); and clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpak); efavirenz (Sustiva), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), diuretics (‘water pills’), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak); griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Gris-PEG); fluvoxamine (Luvox); atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (in Kaletra; Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) are HIV protease inhibitors; drugs for diabetes; lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor); hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections); nefazodone; phenobarbital, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate), rifabutin (Mycobutin), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), nevirapine (Viramune), sertraline (Zoloft), troleandomycin (TAO); zafirlukast with verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) (Accolate). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor about any herbal supplements you are now using or intend to use, including St. John’s wort.
• Inform your doctor if you currently have or have ever had recurrent eye infections, threadworms (a type of worm that can live inside the body), diabetes, high blood pressure, emotional issues, mental illness, myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become weak), osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become brittle and easily break), seizures, tuberculosis (TB), ulcers, liver, kidney, or integumentary disease.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking prednisone.
• Inform the doctor, dentist, or medical staff if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or if you require emergency care if you are taking or have recently discontinued taking prednisone. If you can’t talk in a medical emergency, you should carry a card or wear a bracelet with this information.
• Avoid getting any shots intended to prevent diseases without first consulting your doctor.
• You should be aware that taking prednisone may make it harder for you to fight infections and may keep you from experiencing symptoms if you do. When using this medication, stay away from ill people and wash your hands frequently. Avoid those who have the measles or chicken pox. If you believe you may have come into contact with someone who had the chicken pox or measles, call your doctor right once.

Your doctor might advise you to consume a lot of calcium, potassium, or minimal salt. Also, your doctor might advise or prescribe a calcium or potassium supplement. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

If you want to consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication, see your doctor.

Ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take a dose of prednisone before you start taking it. To remember these guidelines in the future, write them down. If you miss a dosage and are unsure what to do, contact your doctor or chemist right away. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second dose.

Side effects with prednisone are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Unsuitable happiness
• Severe mood swings
• Alteration of personality
• Enlarged eyes
• Acne
• Thin, delicate skin
• Under-the-skin blotches or streaks that are red or purple
• Slowed-down wound and contusion healing
• Higher hair growth
• Alterations in the body’s fat distribution
• Extreme fatigue
• Skinny muscles
• Irregular or nonexistent menstruation
• Less sexual arousal
• Heartburn
• Increased perspiration

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vision issues
• Eye discomfort, erythema, or tears
• Infection-related symptoms including a sore throat, a fever, chills, or a cough
• Seizures
• Depression
• lack of awareness of reality
• Confusion
• Tightness or twitching of a muscle
• You find yourself uncontrollably shaking your hands
• Tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands, feet, arms, legs, or face
• Uneasy stomach
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Unsteady heartbeat
• Unexpected weight gain
• Breathing difficulties, especially during night
• Hiccuping, dry cough
• Bloating or discomfort in the stomach
• Eye, face, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs swelling
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching

Children’s growth and development may be slowed by prednisone. The physician for your child will keep a close eye on their development. The hazards of feeding your child prednisone should be discussed with your child’s doctor.

The risk of osteoporosis may rise if you take prednisone. Consult your doctor about the dangers of taking prednisone as well as preventative measures you can take to lessen your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Several patients who used prednisone or comparable drugs acquired Kaposi’s sarcoma, a kind of cancer. The dangers of using prednisone should be discussed with your doctor.

Further negative effects of prednisone could exist. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s response to prednisone, your doctor will request specific lab tests.

Inform the doctor or technician if you are undergoing any skin testing, such as allergy or tuberculosis tests, that you are taking prednisone.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.