Everything You Should Know about Prednisone

Prednisone is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called corticosteroids. Its intake prevents the release of specific substances in the human body that are responsible for causing inflammation. Besides, this medication suppresses the immune system, so it’s used by many patients as an effective immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory treatment. Prednisone is prescribed by doctors to treat a number of medical conditions, including skin conditions, allergies, lupus, ulcerative colitis, breathing disorders, arthritis, and colitis.

Before Starting This Treatment

Don’t start taking Prednisone if you have any fungal infection in the body. All steroid meds can weaken the immune system, thus, making it easier to get infected. Don’t receive any live vaccines while undergoing this treatment. Once you start experiencing such symptoms as tarry or bloody stools, shortness of breath, upper stomach pain, behavior and mood changes, severe depression, eye pain, and vision problems, call your doctor immediately. Don’t stop taking Prednisone suddenly because you risk ending up with unpleasant symptoms.

Don’t start this treatment if you have any possible allergic reactions or fungal infections. To ensure that the use of Prednisone is 100% safe for you, tell doctors if you have any serious medical conditions, including:

• Liver problems, such as cirrhosis;
• Ailments that cause diarrhea;
• Kidney problems and thyroid disorders;
• Malaria and diabetes;
• Hypertension and heart diseases;
• Osteoporosis and tuberculosis;
• Low potassium levels in the blood;
• Cataracts and glaucoma;
• Eye herpes infections;
• Mental conditions and depression;
• Ulcerative colitis and stomach ulcers;
• Stomach bleeding and muscle disorders.

Any long-term intake of steroids, including Prednisone, may cause bone loss or osteoporosis, especially for smokers and people who have a family history of this condition, don’t exercise regularly, and don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet. The intake of Prednisone may also cause birth defects and low birth weight in pregnant women, so use effective birth control methods when undergoing this treatment. This medicine may pass into breast milk and cause harm to nursing babies. It may affect the growth in kids, so they should start this treatment only when it’s clearly needed.

How to Take Prednisone Correctly

Take this medicine according to the prescriptions given by doctors and written on the label. Your dosage can be changed regularly to provide you with the best benefits. Don’t use Prednisone in lower or higher doses and for longer than needed. Your regular doses should be taken with food, and they may change if you’re exposed to any unusual stress, including infections, fever, serious conditions, medical emergencies, and surgeries. Don’t break, chew, or crush tablets because they must be swallowed whole. When undergoing this treatment, you may require regular blood tests and blood pressure checks. The intake of Prednisone may cause unusual results of some lab tests, so you need to inform doctors about that. Overdosing isn’t expected to cause any life-threatening symptoms, but high doses and long-term use can cause such side effects as easy bruising, thinning skin, changes in location and shape of body fat, loss of sexual interest, menstrual issues, acne, and a few others.

Things to Be Avoided when Taking Prednisone

When undergoing this treatment, avoid being near people who are infected or sick and use effective preventing measures if you’re exposed to measles and chicken pox because these medical conditions can be fatal and serious in people taking any steroids, including Prednisone. Avoid receiving live vaccines while taking this medication because it may increase a risk of having harmful effects. The most common live vaccines include mumps, measles, zoster, and others. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages when undergoing this treatment.

Possible Prednisone Side Effects

Go to the hospital once you start experiencing any signs of allergies, including hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and others. Prednisone may cause side effects, but they are rare and most of them are mild. Contact your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• Eye pain and blurred vision;
• Fast weight gain and swelling;
• Seeing halos around lights;
• Severe depression and shortness of breath;
• Seizures and bloody coughing;
• Feelings of extreme sadness and happiness;
• Mood and behavior changes;
• Tarry and bloody stools;
• Low potassium levels and pancreatitis;
• Severe vomiting and nausea;
• Upper stomach pain  and confusion;
• Extreme thirst and uneven heart rates;
• Increased urination and muscle weakness;
• Leg discomfort and limp feelings;
• Severe headaches and buzzing in ears.

Prednisone may also cause mild side effects, including:

• Mood changes and insomnia;
• Gradual weight gain and increased appetite;
• Spinning sensations and dizziness;
• Slow wound healing and acne;
• Dry and thinning skin;
• Bloating and stomach pain.

If any of them get worse, contact your physician immediately.

Drug Interactions

There are many drugs that may potentially interact with Prednisone. Don’t take it with digitalis, cyclosporine, birth control pills, hormones, antifungals, antibiotics, water pills, blood thinners, St. John’s wort, HIV meds, diabetes medications, NSAIDs, seizure meds, and some others. That’s why you should inform doctors about any other pharmaceutical products that you’re taking before undergoing this treatment.

Where to Buy Prednisone

People shopping for Prednisone often choose online pharmacies because they offer a more comfortable and beneficial option. You can order this medication while staying home, and it will be delivered right at your doorstep. The best part is that you can save because the prices of canadianrxbest.com online pharmacies are lower compared to the standard ones.