prednisone

Prednisone is an oral, synthetic (man-made)corticosteroid(steroid) used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. It has effects similar to other corticosteroids such as:

• triamcinolone (Kenacort)
• methylprednisolone(Medrol)
• prednisolone(Prelone)
• dexamethasone(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 diseases and conditions in which the immune system plays an important role, for example,arthritis,colitis,asthma,bronchitis, skin problems, andallergies.

Prednisone is inactive in the body and, in order to be effective, first must be converted to prednisolone by enzymes in theliver. Therefore, prednisone may not work as effectively in people withliver diseasewhose ability to convert prednisone to prednisolone is impaired. The FDA approved prednisone in 1955.

What diseases and conditions does prednisone treat?

Prednisone is used in the management of inflammatory conditions or diseases in which the immune system plays an important role. Since this drug is used for the treatment and management of so many diseases and conditions, only the most common or FDA approved uses are listed.

• Several types ofarthritis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Systemiclupus
• Allergicreactions
• Asthma
• Severe psoriasis

It also is used the treatment of:

• Leukemias
• Lymphomas
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Autoimmune hemolyticanemia
• Bronchitis

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.

Side effects of prednisone and other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to serious, irreversible organ damage, and they occur more frequently with higher doses and more prolonged treatment.

Common side effects include:

• Retention of sodium (salt) and fluid
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Loss of potassium
• Headache
• Muscleweakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acne
• Thinning skin
• Restlessness
• 睡眠问题

Serious side effects include:

• Hiccups
• Puffiness of the face (moon face)
• Growth of facial hair
• Thinning andeasy bruisingof the skin
• Impairedwoundhealing
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum
• Worsening ofdiabetes
• Irregular menses
• Rounding of the upper back ("buffalo hump")
• Obesity
• Retardation of growth in children
• Convulsions
• Anaphylaxis(severe allergic reactions likehives,itching, skinrash, swollen lips/tongue/face)
• Vision changes
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart attack
• Pulmonary edema
• Syncope
• Tachycardia
• Thrombophlebitis
• Vasculitis
• Allergicdermatitis
• Low blood pressure
• Amenorrhea(lack ofmenstruation)
• Newly onsetdiabetes
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypothyroidism
• Pancreatitis
• Anemia
• Amnesia

This drug also causes psychiatric disturbances, which include:

• Depression
• Euphoria
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Personality changes
• Psychotic behavior

Other possible serious side effects of this drug include:

• Prednisone anddiabetes:Prednisone is associated with new onset or manifestations of latent diabetes, and worsening of diabetes. Diabetics may require higher doses ofdiabetes medicationswhile taking prednisone,
• Allergic reaction: Some people may develop asevere allergic reaction(anaphylaxis) to prednisone that includes swelling of the airways (angioedema) that may result inshortness of breathorairwayblockage.
• Immune suppression:Prednisone suppresses the immune system and, therefore, increases the frequency or severity of infections and decreases the effectiveness ofvaccinesand antibiotics.
• Osteoporosis:Prednisone may causeosteoporosisthat results infracturesof bones. Patients taking long-term prednisone often receivesupplementsof calcium andvitamin Dto counteract the effects on bones. Calcium andvitamin Dprobably are not enough, however, and treatment with bisphosphonates such asalendronate(Fosamax) andrisedronate(Actonel) may be necessary.Calcitonin(Miacalcin) also is effective. The development ofosteoporosisand the need for treatment can be monitored usingbone densityscans.
• Adrenal insufficiencyand weaning off prednisone:Prolonged use of prednisone and other corticosteroids causes the adrenal glands to atrophy (shrink) and stop producing the body's natural corticosteroid, cortisol.
• Necrosis of hips and joints:A serious complication of long-term use of corticosteroids isaseptic necrosisof the hip joints. Aseptic necrosis is a condition in which there is death and degeneration of the hip bone. It is a painful condition that ultimately can lead to the need for surgical replacement of the hip. Aseptic necrosis also has been reported in the knee joints. The estimated incidence of aseptic necrosis among long-term users of corticosteroids is 3%-4%. Patients taking corticosteroids who developpainin the hips or knees should report thepainto their doctors promptly.

The initial dosage of prednisone varies depending on the condition being treated and the age of the patient.

• It's recommended that you take this medication with food.
• The starting dose may be from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, and often is adjusted based on the response of the disease or 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.
• 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.

Patients should be slowly weaned off prednisone. Abrupt withdrawal of prednisone after prolonged use causes side effects because the adrenal glands are unable to produce enough cortisol to compensate for the withdrawal, and symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency (adrenal crisis) may occur. These symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Shock

Therefore, weaning off prednisone should occur gradually so that the adrenal glands have time to recover and resume production of cortisol. Until the glands fully recover, it may be necessary to treat patients who have recently discontinued corticosteroids with a short course of corticosteroids during times ofstress(infection, surgery, etc.), times when corticosteroids are particularly important to the body.

• 强的松可能与estrogensandphenytoin(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 activity 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.
• The risk ofhypokalemia(high potassiumlevels in the blood) increases when corticosteroids are combined with drugs that reduce potassium levels (for example, amphotericin B, diuretics), leading to serious side effects such asheartenlargement, heart arrhythmias and congestiveheart failure.
• Corticosteroids may increase or decrease the responsewarfarin(Jantoven). Therefore, warfarin therapy should be monitored closely.
• The response todiabetes drugsmay be reduced because prednisone increases blood glucose.
• Prednisone may increase the risk of tendon rupture in patients treated with fluoroquinolone type antibiotics. Examples of fluoroquinolones includeciprofloxacin(Cipro) andlevofloxacin(Levaquin).
• The elderly are especially at risk and tendon rupture may occur during or after treatment with fluoroquinolones.
• Combiningaspirin,ibuprofen(Motrin) or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) with corticosteroids increases the risk of stomach related side effects like ulcers.
• Barbiturates,carbamazepine, rifampin and other drugs that increase the activity ofliver enzymesthat breakdown prednisone may reduce blood levels of prednisone. Conversely,ketoconazole,itraconazole(Sporanox),ritonavir(Norvir),indinavir(Crixivan), macrolide antibiotics such aserythromycin, and other drugs that reduce the activity of liver enzymes that breakdown prednisone may increase blood levels of prednisone.

• No, prolonged therapy with prednisone causes the adrenal glands to atrophy and stop producing cortisol.

• Corticosteroids cross the placenta into the fetus. Compared to other corticosteroids, however, prednisone is less likely to cross the placenta. Chronic use of corticosteroids during thefirst trimesterofpregnancymay causecleft palate.
• Corticosteroids are secreted inbreast milkand can cause side effects in thenursinginfant. Prednisone is less likely than other corticosteroids to be secreted in breast milk, but it may still pose a risk to the infant.

Do you need a prescription for prednisone?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor or other medical professional to obtain this medication.

Prednisone is available as:

• Tablets of 1, 2.5, 10, 20, and 50 mg.
• Extended Release Tablets of 1, 2, and 5 mg.
• Oral solution or syrup of 5mg/5ml

Keep this drug stored at room temperature 20 C -25 C (68 F -77 F), and keep away from moisture.