Prednisone

What is prednisone?

Prednisone (also called Deltasone^® or Orasone^®) is a man-made steroid that works like a natural steroid made by the adrenal gland in your body. This medicine has several uses:

• To relieve inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain)
• To treat certain types of cancer
• To treat severe allergies and asthma
• Combined with other medicines to treat ACTH deficiency(low stress hormone)
• To prevent graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplants

Prednisone is available as 5-mg, 20-mg, and 50-mg white tablets and as a clear liquid (known as prednisolone). All are taken by mouth.

Possible side effects of prednisone

Early

• Irritated stomach (burning)

Later (usually more than a day after treatment starts)

• Headache
• Feeling dizzy
• Changes in personality and mood
• Increased appetite
• Problems sleeping
• Acne
• Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma)
• Changes in menstrual cycle
• Weight gain, mainly in the face and abdomen
• Retaining water, which can cause high blood pressure
• Increased white blood count, but decreased number of infection-fighting cells
• Increased chance of infection
• Increased blood sugar levels
• Decreased potassium levels, especially if you are taking other medicines that also decrease potassium levels in the blood.
• Muscle weakness, decreased muscle mass, impaired wound healing, decreased growth, thin fragile skin, and weakened bones (usually after taking prednisone for a long time).

These are the most common side effects, but there may be others. Please report all side effects to the doctor or nurse.

In case of a severe side effect or reaction, call the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist at 595-3300. If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-2STJUDE (1-866-278-5833), and press 0 once the call is connected.

Special instructions for prednisone

• Do not stop taking this medicine until the doctor tells you to do so.
• Always take this medicine with food or milk to decrease stomach burning.
• Prednisone can hide a fever. Watch for signs of infection. Tell the doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you see such signs. Refer to “Do you know… The signs of infection.”
• Wash your face 2 times a day with soap and water to decrease the chance that temporary acne will develop.
• Your doctor may put you on a low-sodium, high-protein diet. Sodium (salt) makes the body retain fluid. The nutritionist will tell you what foods to avoid and will suggest snacks to help you deal with increased appetite.
• Urine and blood tests may be needed to check for high sugar levels.
• Blood tests may be needed to check potassium levels. You may have to take potassium by mouth to maintain a normal level of potassium in the blood.
• Prednisone may affect the way some medicines work. Some medicines may also affect the way prednisone works. These medicines include:
  • Insulin
  • Warfarin
  • Phenytoin
  • Phenobarbital
  • Ketoconazole
  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Rifampin
• Always tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines or if you start taking any new medicine while you are taking prednisone.