What are the most common uses of prednisone. How effective is prednisone for treating various conditions. What side effects do patients commonly experience with prednisone. How do patients rate their overall experience with prednisone.

Overview of Prednisone and Its Uses

Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication commonly prescribed to treat a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It works by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation throughout the body. According to user reviews on Drugs.com, prednisone has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 based on 788 reviews, with 69% of users reporting a positive experience.

Prednisone is used to treat many different conditions, including:

• Inflammatory conditions
• Gouty arthritis
• Asthma
• Allergic reactions
• Fibromyalgia
• Sinusitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Skin rashes and eczema
• Cluster headaches
• And many other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

Effectiveness of Prednisone for Different Conditions

Based on patient reviews, prednisone appears to be highly effective for treating many of the conditions it is prescribed for. Here’s a breakdown of its effectiveness for some common uses:

Inflammatory Conditions

For general inflammatory conditions, prednisone received an average rating of 8.1/10 based on 135 reviews. Many users report rapid relief of inflammation and associated symptoms.

Gouty Arthritis

Prednisone scored an impressive 9.1/10 for treating gouty arthritis based on 94 reviews. Patients frequently report quick relief from severe gout pain and swelling.

Asthma

For asthma management, prednisone received an average rating of 8.4/10 from 66 reviews. Many users find it effective for controlling asthma symptoms and reducing the frequency of attacks.

Allergic Reactions

Prednisone scored 8.2/10 for treating allergic reactions based on 63 reviews. Patients often report rapid relief from severe allergic symptoms.

Common Side Effects Reported by Prednisone Users

While prednisone can be highly effective, it is also associated with a range of potential side effects. Common side effects reported by users include:

• Weight gain and increased appetite
• Mood changes, including irritability and anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased sweating
• Fluid retention and bloating
• Acne or other skin changes
• Digestive issues like nausea or stomach pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Can prednisone cause long-term side effects? Yes, prolonged use of prednisone can lead to more serious side effects such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased susceptibility to infections. It’s important to use prednisone under close medical supervision and for the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms.

Patient Experiences with Prednisone for Specific Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Prednisone received an average rating of 7.9/10 for rheumatoid arthritis based on 43 reviews. Many patients report significant reduction in joint pain and stiffness, allowing for improved mobility and quality of life. However, some users express concerns about long-term use and side effects.

Fibromyalgia

For fibromyalgia, prednisone scored 7.4/10 based on 61 reviews. While some patients find relief from pain and fatigue, others report mixed results or concerns about side effects outweighing benefits for this condition.

Skin Conditions

Prednisone received positive ratings for various skin conditions:
– Skin rash: 8.3/10 (42 reviews)
– Eczema: 8.1/10 (37 reviews)
– Psoriasis: 7.5/10 (13 reviews)

Many users report rapid improvement in skin symptoms, though some express concerns about rebound flares after discontinuing the medication.

Dosage and Administration of Prednisone

Prednisone dosage varies widely depending on the condition being treated and individual patient factors. Typical dosage ranges include:

• Low dose: 5-10 mg daily
• Moderate dose: 10-20 mg daily
• High dose: 20-60 mg daily
• Very high dose: Over 60 mg daily (usually for severe acute conditions)

How should prednisone be taken? Prednisone is typically taken orally in tablet form, usually once daily in the morning with food. Some key points about administration:

• Take as directed by your healthcare provider
• Do not stop taking prednisone suddenly without medical supervision
• Tapering off the medication gradually is often necessary to avoid withdrawal symptoms
• Take with food to reduce stomach irritation
• If taking once daily, morning dosing is usually recommended to mimic natural cortisol rhythms

Interactions and Precautions with Prednisone Use

Prednisone can interact with many other medications and medical conditions. Some important interactions and precautions include:

• May increase blood sugar levels in diabetics
• Can interact with blood thinners like warfarin
• May reduce the effectiveness of certain vaccines
• Can mask signs of infection
• May exacerbate peptic ulcers
• Can affect growth in children
• May increase risk of osteoporosis, especially with long-term use

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking prednisone? It’s generally advised to limit or avoid alcohol while taking prednisone, as both can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of ulcers. Always consult your healthcare provider about alcohol use while on this medication.

Long-term Effects and Considerations for Prednisone Use

While prednisone can be highly effective for short-term use, long-term or high-dose use carries additional risks and considerations:

• Adrenal suppression and dependence
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures
• Higher susceptibility to infections
• Potential for weight gain and redistribution of body fat
• Risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma
• Possible mood and cognitive changes
• Skin thinning and easy bruising

How can the risks of long-term prednisone use be minimized? Strategies may include:
– Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible
– Regular monitoring of bone density, blood sugar, and other health markers
– Calcium and vitamin D supplementation to support bone health
– Gradual tapering when discontinuing the medication
– Considering steroid-sparing alternatives when appropriate

Patient Tips for Managing Prednisone Treatment

Based on user reviews and medical advice, here are some tips for patients taking prednisone:

1. Keep a consistent schedule for taking the medication
2. Monitor and report any side effects to your healthcare provider
3. Maintain a healthy diet low in sodium and high in potassium and calcium
4. Stay physically active to help counteract potential muscle weakness and bone loss
5. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing, as prednisone can increase sun sensitivity
6. Carry a medical alert card or bracelet indicating you’re on steroid therapy
7. Never stop taking prednisone abruptly without medical supervision
8. Be vigilant about signs of infection, as prednisone can mask symptoms

What should patients do if they miss a dose of prednisone? If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed one.

Alternatives to Prednisone and Comparative Effectiveness

While prednisone is a powerful and widely used medication, there are alternative treatments for many of the conditions it treats. Some alternatives include:

• Other corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, methylprednisolone)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for autoimmune conditions
• Biologic therapies
• Immunosuppressants
• Topical treatments for skin conditions

How do these alternatives compare to prednisone in effectiveness? The comparative effectiveness varies depending on the specific condition and individual patient factors. In general:
– Prednisone often provides faster relief for acute symptoms
– Alternative treatments may have fewer long-term side effects
– Some conditions respond better to targeted therapies than broad immunosuppression
– Combination therapies may allow for lower doses of prednisone or complete avoidance

It’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for each individual case.

Prednisone Reviews & Ratings – Drugs.com

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Brand names:
Rayos

Prednisone
has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 788 reviews
on Drugs.com.
69% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Prednisone

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Frequently asked questions

• What is considered a high dose of prednisone?
• Is it OK to drink alcohol with Prednisone?
• How long can you take prednisone safely?
• Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?

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• How long does it take for prednisone to work?
• What’s a good prednisone taper schedule?
• Do I take all 6 prednisone pills at once on the first day?
• Methylprednisolone vs Prednisone – How do they compare?

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

More about prednisone

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• Drug class: glucocorticoids
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Patient resources

• Drug Information
• Prednisone (Advanced Reading)
• Prednisone Delayed-Release Tablets
• Prednisone Tablets
• Prednisone Oral Concentrate
• Prednisone Oral Solution

Other brands

Deltasone, Rayos, Sterapred, Prednicot, Sterapred DS

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• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Allergic Reactions
• Adrenocortical Insufficiency
• Adrenogenital Syndrome
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Prednisolone Reviews & Ratings – Drugs.

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Brand names:
PediaPred
Orapred ODT
Millipred
Millipred DP

Prednisolone
has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 43 reviews
on Drugs.com.
42% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 26% reported a negative experience.

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Frequently asked questions

• Prednisone vs Prednisolone – What’s the difference?
• Is prednisolone best taken in the morning and why?

Are you taking this medicine?

• Add your review
• Learn more about Prednisolone

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

More about prednisolone

• Check interactions
• Compare alternatives
• Pricing & coupons
• Drug images
• Side effects
• Dosage information
• Patient tips
• During pregnancy
• Support group
• Drug class: glucocorticoids
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Patient resources

• Drug Information
• Prednisolone (Oral) (Advanced Reading)
• Prednisolone Orally Disintegrating Tablets
• Prednisolone Oral Solution
• Prednisolone Tablets

Other brands

Orapred, Prelone, PediaPred, Orapred ODT, … +6 more

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• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Asthma, acute
• Bullous Pemphigoid
• Crohn’s Disease, Acute
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Prednisolone customer reviews and experience

Prednisolone reviews

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Thinks the product is good 900 03

from 110  ₽

I have idiopathic eczema. And it gets worse from time to time. At such moments, the doctor prescribes injections of Predinazole intramuscularly for me. The drug is hormonal, but very effective. He is my salvation. I am satisfied with the result. It happens that sometimes the drug causes side reactions. I have this bloating. And you can’t stop using it abruptly, you need to do it gradually reducing the dosage. He has such a feature.

Thinks the product is excellent

from 137  ₽

My daughter is 2 years old. And during this summer she twice had laryngitis. And twice Prednisolone saved us. Just one injection of this drug and the child immediately felt better. The asthma attack passed, the daughter was gradually on the mend. I don’t know what would have happened if it wasn’t for this. It is very efficient.

Thinks the product is excellent

from 110  ₽

I have differentiated seroidal arthritis. For those who do not know, this is a disease associated with the hip joints. Pain moments are simply unbearable. In such cases, Prednisolone saves me. This drug is great for pain and allows me to move normally. The result is good, but not without side effects. The drug adversely affects the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes there is diarrhea.

Thinks the product is excellent

from 137  ₽

My son is 4 years old. From time to time he has swelling of the larynx. Once the attack was so strong that the child simply began to choke in the middle of the night. They called an ambulance. The arriving team gave the son an injection of Prednisolone. The child began to gradually get better, the attack receded. More, fortunately, such strong exacerbations were not. The drug is very effective. But I wouldn’t use it anyway. As far as I know, it is hormonal.

Prescription

Prednisolone Reneval, 5 mg, tablets, 100 pcs.

PFC update, Russia

from 79  ₽

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Prednisol, 30 mg/ml, solution for intravenous and intramuscular administration, 1 ml, 3 pcs.

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from 822  ₽

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1.10.2018 Zurich

Hello everyone!

After reading a huge number of reviews about the drug Prednisolone, I realized that I had to share my experience. Many people do not have the opportunity to get to a good rheumatologist due to limited funds, many live far from big cities, and it is also difficult to find professional specialists. On the Internet, they write about completely unthinkable, terrible consequences; people prefer to suffer from pain, illness, but prednisolone is not treated. They write about spoiled stomachs, about the failure of the joints, about the moon-shaped face, about acne, about strong weight gain, about high blood pressure and much more. I have a lot of experience taking this medicine and have experienced quite a lot of medical errors, from which I will try to warn you and, using my example, tell people how to be treated correctly in order to avoid severe damage to the body, how to treat with minimal consequences, since I experienced everything myself .

I fell ill in mid-January 2017, I was diagnosed incorrectly in Moscow at a local clinic in Novogireevo, but I did not wait long and flew to Switzerland, because I live in two countries. My doctor in Zurich diagnosed me with polymyalgia rheumatica. There were no reviews about this disease on the Internet, it can be seen that people get sick after 60, and they are not very friendly with the computer, so I looked for more information about prednisone, because for my illness it was the only salvation and I understood from the reviews and comments I read, that the order of administration is the same, just the doctor prescribes the dose according to your illness. Specifically, I will write about my illness separately, I want to describe my experience of treatment, because I want to compare the methods of treatment in Russia and in Switzerland.

So about my experience.

I started treatment with prednisolone on March 1, 2017 at a dose of 50 mg. and it was the mistake of the attending family doctor in Switzerland, because. the initial dose is maximum 20, and in Russia 15. So I immediately advise everyone to be treated only by rheumatologists. Literally the next day, the pain and stiffness in the muscles disappeared and I felt completely healthy. But prednisolone is insidious, and thanks to the Internet, I was prepared to fight not with the disease itself, but with the negative consequences of prednisolone.

A week later, my doctor reduced the dose by 10 mg at once, i.e. up to 40 mg. and I got very sick. There was severe weakness, muscle trembling, cold sweat, dizziness, and all this lasted for three days, on the fourth everything was gone. As I now understand, my doctor was more intimidated than I was by the need to take prednisone in such high doses and she wanted to reduce the dose as quickly as possible. But I was under her constant control and every week I came to her office and donated blood for the presence of inflammation, i.e. supervised the progress of the treatment. Analyzes showing inflammation – biochemical blood test, ESR, CRH.

40 mg dose. I drank for one week. Then I’m on 10 mg. I didn’t reduce it any more and I don’t advise anyone, by a maximum of 5 mg. After a dose of 35 mg. my doctor sent me to a rheumatologist for a consultation and a check of the condition of the bones. My bones were borderline, so I was given vitamins to prevent arthritis.

Vitamins calcium+D

Binosto, once a week, prevention of osteoporosis.

It is very important to reduce prednisone correctly. If you have been prescribed treatment for a long time, then try to accept it and live with it. Most often it is for a long time and, most importantly, do not rush and do not reduce it yourself, because after reading horrors about the medicine, we try to get rid of it as quickly as possible, because the word “quickly” is one of the favorite Russians.

So about the reduction: I will write in mg. in Switzerland, prednisone is different, I had it 50,20,10,5,1 mg., in Russia for some reason they are only 5 mg.

The beginning was with a dose of 50 mg and it took 40 days to 25 mg, but the decrease from 25 to 20 to 2.5 mg. it had been going on for a month and it was especially difficult, fingers were twisted, legs were twisted, severe weakness and, as a result, an insane appetite for sweets and cakes. After 20, decrease by 2.5, but each decrease is exactly a month to 10 mg. Starting from 10, decrease by 1 mg. every 6 weeks up to 5, after five a decrease by 0.5 and also 6 weeks, although in severe cases it is advised to increase the interval to 8 weeks.

Prednisolone 5 mg.

Prednisol 1mg.

10 mg. I took it in Moscow for 6 weeks as it should be, switched to 9 weeks without problems, and after two weeks I decided to go to the clinic at the place of residence to take tests and see a doctor, because. Prior to that, I had tests every month. A doctor in Moscow was surprised that in Switzerland they recommended six weeks to me and strongly advised me to reduce it for only two weeks, which I did with great pleasure, switching to 8, and after three days my illness returned. Then I turned to a paid clinic and there the doctor confirmed the recommendation of the doctor of my polyclinic, arguing that the body would adapt. And now, due to the mistake of these two unfortunate doctors, my illness returned completely, but the worst thing was that I could not fly back to Zurich due to severely high blood pressure, which reached 250 every evening. I flew only when a really great rheumatologist raised prednisolone from 8 to 10 mg. and wrote out, in addition to my Norvasc blood pressure pills.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF PREDNISOLE TO MINIMIZE SIDE EFFECTS.

1. Stomach.

Immediately with Spiricort {prednisolone} I was given stomach medicine, told to take it in the morning to curb the aggressive effects of prednisolone on the stomach. It’s called Omeprazol mepha, 20mg capsules. taken in the morning on an empty stomach before meals. I took the capsules only for 6 months, there were no stomach problems. But big problems began in Moscow, when the brought pills ran out and I had to buy in a Moscow pharmacy. Already on the third day, the stomach ached, in the morning there was a strong bitterness in the mouth, nausea and heaviness in the right side. I had to order my own and I didn’t try the Russian ones again. I don’t know, maybe there are good pills in Moscow pharmacies, and, out of ignorance, I bought the worst ones, so I advise you to buy prednisone abroad, just be sure to take a prescription, they won’t sell it abroad without a prescription.

2. Moon-shaped face.

The face did not swell immediately, only on the fortieth day, the doctors categorically forbade taking diuretics, explaining that the body was already at the limit of its capabilities. So the cheeks, chin and temples were swollen before the reduction of cortisone (prednisolone) to 3 mg. Then everything went away, even the edema on the legs slept.

3. Eruptions.

Yes, pimples appeared after a few days, but my proven experience in dealing with them is to wipe with vodka: I moistened cotton with vodka and wiped my face and décolleté at night. A few days later it went away and hasn’t returned.

4. Time of taking the pills.

The best time is from 7-9 o’clock in the morning, then the adrenal glands take hormones like native ones. They say that the later, the harder. I took from 8.30 to 9.30. And one more thing: try not to take pills at night. They raise the pressure, the person suffers from insomnia. My friend was prescribed to drink 60 mg during the day, the last pill at 21 pm, she was shaking all night so that the bed was shaking, I don’t know what reason she had, I personally shake when the pressure rises to 200 and above. I began to take it right away, at one time and only in the morning, the first week was hard, but the body got used to it. I don’t know about large doses, mine was 50 mg at first, but, anyway, try as long as possible before bedtime. I always took the pills with meals, neither before nor after, namely during meals. I ate everything, but there was always yogurt or milk before and after taking.

5. Movement.

If you are not lying down, if you are able to at least move your arms, then be sure to go in for sports. Do exercises, walk a lot, if you can, then run jogging, walk with sticks. Now everyone has phones with a sports program, so walk at least the recommended amount. During the period of dose reduction, swimming helps a lot, best in the sea, but a warm water pool is also good. Of course, if possible.

6. Vitamins.

After a bone density test (3 weeks after the start of treatment) I began to take calcium and vitamin D. quite high doses. Ostoporosis was not found in me, but the tendency to its occurrence was already beginning, and after prednisolone the risk increased, so the cardiologist ordered me to take pills for two years

7. Incompatibility with other drugs.

Do not take prednisone along with other medicines and vitamins at the same time, wait at least a couple of hours.

8. Alcohol.

The doctors allowed me to drink, but only in the evening and not much. I, personally, allowed myself to drink a little until I got to a dose of 10 mg.

9. Overweight.

For all the time I gained four kilograms, it was 54, it became 58, but the fault is completely mine. Of course, due to the fact that for the first two months there was constant weakness from the medicine, my hands were trembling, everything inside was trembling, and because of this weakness I constantly wanted to eat, but for some reason I wanted to eat sweets, cake, sweets, rolls. Apparently, our body got rid of depression this way. I began to lose weight gradually after a dose of 5 mg.

10. Pressure.

I have had high blood pressure for a long time, more than ten years. I drink pills all the time and specifically from prednisone, the pressure did not increase.