Corticosteroids, or steroids, are prescribed to treat many conditions involving inflammation.
Inflammation is the immune system’s reaction against injury or infection.
Steroids work by affecting the immune system anddecreasing inflammation.
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Prednisone is a popularly prescribed steroid medication.
Steroids are potent (strong) medicines.
One such popular steroid medication is prednisone, a drug used to lower symptoms of low corticosteroid levels.
However, a high-risk dosing schedule of prednisone varies based on the condition treated and individual factors.
Continue reading to learn more about prednisone dosing and safety.
This will help lower the risk of severe side effects.
Dosage Forms of Prednisone
Prednisone is available in multiple forms of administration alongside varying strengths of prescription.
Brand-name Rayos is available in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg DR tablets.
Prednisone is also available as an oral solution (a liquid form of administration).
Prednisone Dosage
Your prednisone dosage will vary based on your condition and your response to treatment.
It’s recommended that prednisone be taken with food to minimize stomach discomfort and side effects.
Generally, the starting dose is between 5 and 60 mg daily, although higher doses are sometimes required.
Doing so reduces the risk of severe side effects.
People taking prednisone will be closely monitored for safety andside effects.
Additionally, prednisone should be stopped if a person does not respond to treatment after a reasonable period.
Some examples of higher prednisone dosing include:
Warning
Take prednisone exactly as prescribed.
Do not take more prednisone than prescribed, and do not take it for longer than prescribed.
Side Effects & Safety
Like other medications, prednisone can cause side effects.
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience while taking this medication.
Below is a partial list of side effects, and others may occur.
A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects.
If you experience other effects, kindly contact your pharmacist or a medical professional.
You may report side effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Conversely, call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency.
Side Effects and Safety
Prednisone may cause other side effects.
Call your healthcare provider if you have unusual problems while taking this medication.
When to Take Prednisone
Prednisone can be used to treat many conditions that involve inflammation.
Who Shouldn’t Take Prednisone?
Prednisone is not appropriate for everyone.
Before taking prednisone, tell your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, medical history, and family history.
While taking prednisone, do not start any new medications without approval from your healthcare provider.
Some drug interactions include:
This is not a complete list of drug interactions.
Other drug interactions may occur with prednisone.
Consult your healthcare provider for more information about drug interactions and how they may affect you.
Summary
Prednisone is a steroid used to treat various conditions that involve inflammation.
The dose that is prescribed is individualized based on many patient factors.
Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about your prednisone dose and length of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dose of prednisone reaches its highest effect in one or two hours.
Therefore, a prednisone dose will take about eight to 15 hours to dump the body.
Your healthcare professional will provide you with a personalized taper schedule.
However, everyone is different, so follow the plan given by your healthcare provider.
Methylprednisolone, like prednisone, is a corticosteroid.
Methylprednisolone is available as a tablet as well as various injectable formulations.
The injectable formulation may be used when someone cannot take oral prednisone.
They treat many of the same conditions and have similar side effects and warnings.
Depending on the situation, your healthcare provider may recommend one.
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