Have you ever been prescribed a steroid by a doctor? It could be Prednisone. Some people get a little scared when they hear this name. "Oh, this isn't good for the body, is it?", "Is it true that it makes the penis bigger?" Many questions come to mind. But this is actually a very important, even life-saving medicine. That's why we decided to talk about Prednisone today, which is useful for so many people.
What exactly is Prednisone?
Simply put, Prednisone is a man-made steroid. In medical terms, these are called `corticosteroids.' They do several important things in our bodies.
1. Reducing inflammation: Imagine you have asthma. Then the airways swell, making it difficult to breathe. A person with arthritis has swollen and painful joints. What Prednisone does is control this unwanted swelling and inflammation in the body. Therefore, it is used for many diseases such as asthma, various allergic reactions, joint diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases.
2. Controlling the immune system: Sometimes the immune system, which is supposed to protect our body, mistakenly starts attacking our own body. In such cases, Prednisone helps to slow down and control the immune system that has become overactive.
3. As a hormone replacement: Our adrenal glands naturally produce a hormone called `Cortisol`. This is very important in how our body deals with stress, illness, and danger. Some people do not produce enough of this cortisol hormone in their bodies. In such cases, Prednisone is given as a replacement.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Prednisone is a very strong drug, so it is very important to give your doctor a complete account of your health, especially if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you already have diabetes.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have heart disease.
- If you have glaucoma.
- If you have any kidney or liver disease.
- If you currently have an infection, especially a viral infection like chickenpox or herpes.
- Stomach or intestine problems, especially if you have gastritis or ulcers.
- If you are being treated for or have a history of mental illness.
- If you have osteoporosis.
- Myasthenia gravis is a muscle weakness condition.
- Calcium deficiency or thyroid problem.
- A condition like `Cushing's syndrome`.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- If you are allergic to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or lactose.
The correct way to use the medicine
As the doctor says, it is very important to take the correct dosage at the correct time.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Always take with or after a meal. Do not take on an empty stomach. This can reduce things like stomach upset.
- If you only have to take it once a day, take it in the morning whenever possible .
- Do not take more or less than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Most importantly: Never stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so could cause your body to become unable to tolerate it and could cause a severe reaction. If your doctor wants you to stop taking the medication, they will do so by gradually reducing the dose over a period of days (tapering off).
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. It is best to talk to your doctor about this. Never take two doses at the same time without advice.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and 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 Prednisone
Prednisone is a drug that can interact with other medications. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (medications for other conditions, vitamins, herbal products).
| Drug category | Things to consider |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken | Medications such as Metyrapone and Mifepristone should never be taken with Prednisone. |
| Painkillers | Taking NSAID painkillers such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen can increase the risk of stomach ulcers. Be sure to ask your doctor before taking these. |
| Diabetes medicine | Because prednisone increases blood sugar levels, the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted. |
| Blood thinners | It may interact with medications such as warfarin. |
| Other medications | Medications such as Phenytoin, Rifampin, Ketoconazole, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, and some birth control pills can also interact with Prednisone. |
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, Prednisone can cause side effects. Most of these are limited to the time you take the medication. But there are some things we need to be especially careful about.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Cushing's syndrome symptoms | Fat deposits around the body and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump), round face (moon face), pink/purple streaks on the skin, thin skin that bruises easily. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds. |
| Mental changes | Excessive anger, agitation, depression, insomnia, unusual thoughts. |
| Stomach bleeding | Black or tarry stools, vomiting a substance that looks like coffee grounds, or blood. |
| Other | Increased blood pressure, swelling of the ankles, hands or feet. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Acne | Headache |
| Increased appetite | Weight gain |
| Nausea | Difficulty falling asleep |
Remember, if you have symptoms of high blood pressure (severe headache, ringing in the ears, chest pain), tell your doctor. But don't stop taking your medication without his advice.
What else should you be careful about while taking the medicine?
- Diet: Your doctor may tell you to reduce your salt intake. It's also a good idea to limit your intake of foods high in sugar and fat.
- Infections: Your immune system may be slightly weakened while taking this medicine, so stay away from people who have illnesses (especially chickenpox and measles).
- Surgery: If you are going to have any surgery, let the medical team know that you are taking Prednisone (or have taken it within the past 12 months).
Take-Home Message
- Prednisone is a very important medication that should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Take the dose prescribed by the doctor, at the prescribed time, after meals.
- The most important thing is to avoid stopping the medication suddenly without medical advice for any reason.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects. When used correctly, Prednisone can be very effective in controlling many conditions.
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