Prednisone is an oral synthetic man-made corticosteroid used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. It has effects similar to other corticosteroids such as triamcinolone i.e. Kenacort, methylprednisolone i.e. Medrol, Prednisolone i.e. Prelone and dexamethasone i.e. Decadron. These synthetic corticosteroids mimic the action of cortisol hydrocortisone, the naturally-occurring corticosteroid produced in the body by the adrenal glands.

Corticosteroids have many effects on the body but they most often are used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects particularly in those conditions in which the immune system plays an important role. Such conditions include arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Prednisone is inactive in the body and in order to be effective first must be converted to Prednisolone by enzymes in the liver. Therefore, Prednisone may not work as effectively in people with liver disease whose ability to convert Prednisone to Prednisolone is impaired.

However, before taking Prednisolone medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Prednisolone medication. However, Prednisolone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Prednisolone medication and also read the prescription label carefully.

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. The initial dose of Prednisone varies depending on the condition being treated and the age of the patient. The starting dose may be from 5 to 60 mg per day and often is adjusted based on the response of the condition being treated.

Corticosteroids typically do not produce immediate effects and must be used for several days before maximal effects are seen. It may take much longer before conditions respond to treatment. Prolonged therapy with Prednisone causes the adrenal glands to atrophy and stop producing cortisol. When Prednisone is discontinued after a period of prolonged therapy the dose of Prednisone must be tapered lowered gradually to allow the adrenal glands time to recover.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Side effects of Prednisone and other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible damage and they occur more frequently with higher doses and more prolonged treatment. Side effects include retention of sodium salt and fluid weight gain, high blood pressure, loss of potassium, headache and muscle weakness. Prednisone also causes puffiness of the face moon face, growth of facial hair, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, impaired wound healing, glaucoma, cataracts, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, rounding of the upper back buffalo hump, obesity, retardation of growth in children, convulsions and psychiatric disturbances. The psychiatric disturbances include depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes and even psychotic behavior.

Prednisone suppresses the immune system and therefore increases the frequency or severity of infections and decreases the effectiveness of vaccines and antibiotics. Prednisone may cause osteoporosis that result in fractures of bones. Patients taking long-term Prednisone often receive supplements of calcium and vitamin D to counteract the effects on bones. Calcium and vitamin D probably are not enough however and treatment with bisphosphonates such as alendronate Fosamax and risedronate Actonel may be necessary. Calcitonin Miacalcin is also effective. The development of osteoporosis and the need for treatment can be monitored using bone density scans.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.

Prednisone may interact with estrogens and phenytoin Dilantin. Estrogens may reduce the action of enzymes in the liver that break down eliminate the active form of Prednisone Prednisolone. As a result, the levels of Prednisolone in the body may increase and lead to more frequent side effects. Phenytoin increases the activities of enzymes in the liver that break down eliminate Prednisone and thereby may reduce the effectiveness of Prednisone. Thus if phenytoin is being taken an increased dose of Prednisone may be required.

However, Prednisolone may also interact with some of the foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Prednisolone medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed dose. And in case, if you miss the two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Prednisone is used in the management of inflammatory conditions or diseases in which the immune system plays an important role. Since Prednisone is used in so many conditions only the most common or established uses are mentioned here. Prednisone most often is used for treating several types of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus, allergic reactions, asthma and severe psoriasis.

It also is used for treating leukemias, lymphomas, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Corticosteroids including Prednisone are commonly used to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs. Prednisone is used as replacement therapy in patients whose adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The Prednisolone medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Prednisolone medication.

Prednisolone tablets should be stored at room temperature below 68-77°F and 20-25°C in a cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Prednisolone tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Prednisolone:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure or any severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Prednisolone medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Prednisolone medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Prednisolone medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Prednisolone medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course with Prednisolone medication.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Prednisolone.