Perhaps you or your child has asthma, a severe allergic reaction, or another medical condition, and your doctor has prescribed a medicine called 'Prednisolone'. This is often available as a suspension. Some people are a little scared when they hear the name of this medicine, because it is a type of 'steroid'. But don't be afraid. If used correctly, it can provide great relief. So, let's find the answers to all the questions you have about this medicine in this article.
Simply put, what is Prednisolone?
Prednisolone is a drug that belongs to a group of drugs called steroids. But it is not an illegal steroid used by athletes. It is a medically developed drug that helps control many medical conditions.
Simply put, this medicine has several main functions:
1. Reduces swelling and inflammation in the body: Imagine that when you have asthma, your airways swell. This medicine reduces that swelling and makes breathing easier. It also helps reduce joint swelling in conditions like arthritis.
2. Controls the unwanted activity of the immune system: Sometimes our body's defense system, the immune system, becomes overactive and starts attacking our own body. Allergies are one such case. Prednisolone controls this unwanted activity.
3. Acts as a naturally occurring hormone in the body: Our body has a hormone called 'cortisol'. This is very important when our body is facing stress, illness, or danger. In some medical conditions, the production of this cortisol hormone in the body decreases. At such times, Prednisolone is used to compensate for that deficiency.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Prednisolone is a very strong drug, so it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health before starting it. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following medical conditions:
| Medical conditions to report to your doctor |
|---|
| Diabetes |
| High blood pressure |
| Heart disease or heart-related problems |
| Glaucoma or other eye diseases |
| Kidney or Liver disease |
| Stomach ulcers or intestinal diseases (e.g. Colitis, Diverticulitis) |
| Osteoporosis - a disease of bone thinning |
| Current infections (e.g., tuberculosis, herpes, chickenpox, measles) |
| Mental health problems |
| Thyroid problems |
| Other chronic diseases such as Cushing's syndrome, myasthenia gravis |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
| Allergies to prednisolone, other medications, foods, or preservatives |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Remember these instructions well.
- Shake well: Since this is a liquid medication, shake the bottle well before each use. Otherwise, particles of the medicine may settle to the bottom of the bottle, causing you to get the wrong dose.
- Correct measurement: Use the special cap, spoon, or dropper that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use household teaspoons or tablespoons , as they are not accurate.
- Take after meals: To avoid stomach upset, take this medicine with a meal or a glass of milk.
- Take in the morning: If your doctor tells you to take this medication only once a day, it is best to take it in the morning.
- Don't stop suddenly: this is the most important thing.
- Painkillers (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen and naproxen
- Some medications used for diabetes (e.g. glipizide, glyburide)
- Blood thinners, such as Warfarin
- Epilepsy medications such as Phenytoin
- Some antibiotics and antifungals (e.g. Rifampin, Ketoconazole)
- Birth control pills
- Some types of vaccines
- See the doctor: Visit the doctor at the scheduled time and check your health.
- Be careful of infections: Taking this medicine may lower your body's immunity a little. Therefore, you are more likely to get sick. Stay away from people who have illnesses like chickenpox and measles. If you get a wound and it doesn't heal quickly, tell your doctor.
- Before surgery: If you are going to have any surgery, let your medical team know that you have taken Prednisolone within the past 12 months.
- Diet: Ask your doctor about your diet. He or she may tell you to reduce your salt intake.
- Blood sugar levels: This medicine may increase your blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels regularly. Talk to your doctor about changes in your diet or diabetes medication, if necessary.
- Prednisolone is a powerful steroid medication that should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
- Always take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time.
- Shake the bottle well before using the liquid medicine.
- Never stop taking medication suddenly without medical advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and all medical conditions you have.
- If you experience signs of infection, mental changes, or other unusual symptoms while taking the medication, seek medical advice immediately.
Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause severe reactions. If your doctor decides to stop taking the medicine, he or she will do so by gradually reducing the dose (tapering).
What if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, as well as vitamins and herbal products, as some medications can interact with Prednisolone.
In particular, do not take the medications Mifepristone and Metyrapone with this.
In addition, the following medications may also interact with Prednisolone:
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Prednisolone can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds. |
| Symptoms of Cushing syndrome | Fat deposits on the stomach, neck, and upper back (moon face), thinning skin, and the appearance of purple/pink stretch marks. |
| Increased blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Unusually increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, extreme fatigue. |
| Mental changes | Anxiety, depression, irritability, changes in thinking, suicidal thoughts. |
| Stomach bleeding | Black or tarry stools, vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds. |
| Other | High blood pressure, swelling of ankles, hands, feet, extreme dizziness. |
| These are usually not dangerous, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Acne formation | Headache |
| Increased appetite | Weight gain |
| Insomnia | Nausea |
How to store the medicine?
Store the medicine at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), out of the reach of children. Keep the bottle cap tightly closed. Do not refrigerate this medicine . Throw away expired medicine.
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