Prednisone Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Safety and Warnings

Prednisone is a synthetic drug that is used during allergy or in order to treat Leukemia. Prednisone is similar to cortisone; it is a glucocorticoid medication that helps prevent the release of those substances in the body which results in inflammation and in turn suppresses the immune system.  It is used as an anti-inflammatory or an immunosuppressant medication.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablet
• Syrup

Uses:

Prednisone is used to treat the following ailments:

• Allergic disorders
• Ulcerative colitis
• Arthritis
• Lupus
• psoriasis
• Breathing disorders
• Skin diseases
• Cancer
• Eye problems
• Immune system disorder

Dosage:

The usage of prednisone is as follow:

• It is taken by mouth.
• It is better to take it with food or milk in order to prevent a disturbed stomach.
• If a patient is taking a tablet of this medicine then he should drink a full glass of water with it.
• If the liquid form is used, then the patient should measure the dose carefully.
• In order to measure the dose, a special measuring device or spoon should be used because with the household spoon there is a possibility of error.
• If you are prescribed only one dose per day, take it in the morning before 9 A.M.
• The medicine should be taken as prescribed by the doctor carefully on time.

Side effects

The following are some of the side effects of Prednisone.

• It can lead to bone loss that is Osteoporosis.
• It can result in low birth weight or birth defects if taken during the first trimester.
• It can pass into breast milk and can affect the health of a nursing baby.
• Affect negatively on growth in children.
• It may lead to a change in the shape of the body.
• It may result in slow wound healing.
• Nausea, stomach pain and bloating.
• blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.
• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath.
• severe depression, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, changes in personality or behavior, seizure.
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood.

Safety and Warnings

Following steps should be followed while using Prednisone:

• Always take it with food.
• Measure liquid prednisone with a special dose-measuring spoon.
• Never chew, crush or break a tablet instead swallow it whole.
• Check your blood pressure frequently.
• Never stop taking prednisone suddenly because it may cause serious problems, take the advice of your doctor.
• The patient taking prednisone should carry an ID card that states that he/she is using the steroid.
• Prednisone should be kept away from moisture or heat and should be stored at room temperature.

To make sure prednisone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• any illness that causes diarrhea
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• heart disease, high blood pressure, low levels of potassium in your blood;
• a thyroid disorder;
• diabetes;
• a history of malaria;
• tuberculosis;
• osteoporosis;
• glaucoma, cataracts, or herpes infection of the eyes;
• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or a history of stomach bleeding;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• depression or mental illness.