Prednisone

What is Prednisone?

Prednisone is a medication that belongs to the class of corticosteroids (1)(2). It is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels, which are substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning (1). Prednisone is also used to treat other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels, including certain types of arthritis, severe allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and certain conditions that affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines (1)(2). Prednisone is also sometimes used to treat the symptoms of certain types of cancer (1).

Dosage

The dosage of prednisone depends on the specific medication it is being used in and the patient's medical condition (1)(2). The recommended dosage for each form may vary, and it is important to follow the instructions provided by the healthcare provider or the manufacturer (1)(2).

Side Effects

Prednisone may cause side effects, including changes in mood or behavior, depression, mood swings, a false sense of well-being, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating (6). Other common side effects include headache, muscle pain, sore throat, weight gain, tooth problems, cold symptoms, back pain, sinusitis, edema (swelling), respiratory tract infection, and more (1)(2)(5)(6). Serious side effects may include bladder cancer, heart failure, liver problems, bone fractures, and macular edema (swelling in the back of the eye) (2)(3). Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, sudden weight gain, swelling in the ankles or legs, unusual tiredness, or vision changes (2)(3)(6).

Interactions

Prednisone may interact with other medications, including insulin, gemfibrozil, rifampin, birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, antifungal medications, blood pressure medications, and steroids (2). Patients should inform their doctors about all the medications they are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products, to avoid potential interactions (2).

Time of Day and With or Without Food

Prednisone can be taken with or without food (2). The specific time of day for taking the medication should be determined by the patient's healthcare provider.

Human Studies

Studies have shown that prednisone can provide relief for inflamed areas of the body and is used to treat a number of different conditions, such as inflammation, severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, blood or bone marrow problems, endocrine problems, eye or vision problems, stomach or bowel problems, lupus, skin conditions, kidney problems, ulcerative colitis, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis (6). Prednisone works on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions (6). However, prednisone may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients, and it may interact with other medications (6).

To summarize, Prednisone is a medication that belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels and other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels. The dosage of prednisone depends on the specific medication it is being used in and the patient's medical condition. Prednisone can be taken with or without food, and the specific time of day for taking the medication should be determined by the patient's healthcare provider. Prednisone may cause side effects, including changes in mood or behavior, depression, mood swings, a false sense of well-being, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating. Prednisone may interact with other medications, and patients should inform their doctors about all the medications they are taking. Studies have shown that prednisone can provide relief for inflamed areas of the body and is used to treat a number of different conditions, but it may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients.

Citations:
(1) MedlinePlus
(2) Cleveland Clinic
(3) Drugs.com
(4) NCBI Bookshelf
(5) [WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6007-9383

Comparison Table of Corticosteroids

Below is a table that compares these corticosteroids based on relative potency, equivalent dose, and duration of action:

Note: The potency and equivalent dose values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on the source. The duration of action can be affected by individual metabolism rates and formulations.

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