Prednisone is a prescription medicine prescribed by doctors as a relief for inflammation in the body. Apart from the primary purpose of reducing inflammation they are also used to treat adrenal problems, severe allergies, asthma, arthritis, blood or bone marrow issues, eye problems related to vision, lupus, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis. The components of the medication work on the immune system and help reduce their function thereby reducing the severity of the aforementioned conditions.

It is available in the form of a tablet, syrup, solution, and an orally disintegrating tablet.

Working of Prednisone:

Its center of activity is on the immune system, the body’s defense system, and lowering its activities. It belongs to a category called “corticosteroids” commonly known as steroids. These drugs reduce your body’s response to an injury or disease thereby reducing any severe allergies or reactions that arise as a result of any unwanted activities within the body.

What Can Prednisone Be Used For?

The medication is used to treat various conditions such as

  • Certain types of arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis (a disease where the nerves do not function properly)
  • Pulmonary issues
  • Lupus (a condition where the body attacks its organs)
  • Skin, eye, kidneys, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestinal conditions
  • It is also used to treat certain types of cancer

Apart from this, the medication is also administered to patients who have undergone a kidney transplant to reduce the severity of adverse reactions that are triggered due to a foreign mass in the body.  It is also used to manage other kidney disorders such as focal glomerulosclerosis, IGA nephropathy, and minimal change disease. All these conditions can cause nephrotic syndrome where high amounts of protein are leaked and excreted from the body via urine resulting in protein loss in the blood, a condition known by the name proteinuria. Prednisone intake can reduce the proteinuria in these disorders.

Side Effects Due To The Consumption Of Prednisone:

Consumption of Prednisone can cause the following side effects,

  • Extreme mood changes
  • Cuts and bruises take time to heal
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in appetite
  • A sudden increase in weight
  • Swelling of face, arms, and legs
  • Fatigue

If you have a pre-existing health condition such as diabetes, the drug can aggravate your condition. It can increase blood sugar levels which is quite a concern in diabetic patients and due to the decreased activity of the immune system the risks of infection are also greater.

Precautions Before Taking Prednisone:

Consult your doctor before taking Prednisone. Tell them if you’ve had a history of allergies, or if you are simultaneously taking any other medication while on Prednisone, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure and if you are pregnant or planning to do so. This drug usage in pregnant women showed children having signs of hypoadrenalism.

Do not take immunity vaccination of any sort while on prednisone therapy. Doing so will increase the chances of the person developing neurological disorders due to the lack of antibody response.

 This is a short-term prescription medication prolonged usage of which will cause glaucoma and damage to the optic nerves and enhance secondary ocular infections due to fungi or virus and also produce posterior subcapsular cataracts.

What Precautions Should I Follow While taking Prednisone?

Do not use this medication just from a mere suggestion of a friend. Before taking this drug talk to your doctor about the effects and side effects and the necessary caution that has to be exercised while on this medication. This way you can use the drug safely while also managing the side effects effectively.

Follow the dosage regimen that has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate by increasing or decreasing the dosage levels by yourself. If you experience improvement in your condition, talk to your doctor. The therapy will be managed by gradually decreasing the dosage amounts until you no longer feel withdrawal effects. Abruptly stopping the drug can cause one to experience withdrawal symptoms such as extreme fatigue and mood swings.

Diet:

Lessen the intake of sugar and salt in your diet

Check your weight regularly

If you experience any severe adverse reactions, talk to your doctor immediately. The medication guide that comes along with the drug only provides general information. Consultation from a professional is recommended to get individualized treatment.