Prednisone is synthetic corticosteroid medication that is taken orally and is used in treating of different inflammatory diseases. This medication suppresses the immune system. This medication acts similar to other corticosteroid drugs such as triamcinolone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone (Medrol) and dexamethasone. These medications act the same as cortisol (hydrocortisone), the corticosteroid that is produced in the body by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids have a lot of effects on the organism, but are most widely used because of their anti-inflammatory effects, especially in those conditions when immune system plays an important role. Among such conditions are asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, colitis, skin rashes, allergy and inflammation of eyes and nose. Prednisone is not active in the body, so to be effective it first must be turned into prednisolone by enzymes in the liver. Hence, prednisone doesn’t work in an effective way in patients who have liver disease and whose ability to turn prednisone into prednisolone is reduced.
Prednisone is intended to treat inflammatory diseases in which the immune system plays a big role. As Prednisone is used in managing a great number of diseases, we will mention only about the most typical. Prednisone is commonly used for treating different types of arthritis, Crohn’s disease , ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus, allergies, asthma and psoriasis. Lymphomas, leukemias, lymphomas, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia are also treated with this medication. Corticosteroids, particularly prednisone, are generally used to suppress the immune system and prevent the rejection of transplanted organs by the body. In addition, Prednisone is applied as replacement treatment in people who have problems with their adrenal glands which are not able to produce enough cortisol.
Prednisone medication is available in tablet form of Prednisone 5mg, Prednisone 10mg, Prednisone 20mg and syrup or oral solution of 5ml and 5 mg correspondently.
The primary dosage of Prednisone is chosen according to the condition and the age of the patient. 5 to 60 mg daily is an initial dosage. The dose is usually adjusted depending on the results achieved. Corticosteroids usually don’t effect immediately and should be taken for a couple of days before the results can be observed. It may take even longer before the significant results are seen. Long-term therapy with this medication makes the adrenal glands unable to produce cortisol. When this medication is discontinued after a period of long-term treatment, its dosage must be reduced gradually in order to help the adrenal glands to recover.
Medication interaction
Prednisone might interact with such drugs as estrogens and phenytoin. Estrogens may decrease the effect of enzymes in the liver that inhibit the active form of prednisone, prednisolone. This leads to the increase of the levels of prednisolone in the organism and as a result causes more frequent side reactions. Phenytoin increases the enzymes activity in the liver that eliminates prednisone and therefore may decrease the effect of prednisone. So, when phenytoin is taken, an increased dosage of prednisone is very often required.
The medication should be stored at ambient temperature 20-25°C in dry place.