What are the common side effects of long-term prednisone use. How can patients manage weight gain associated with prednisone. What serious side effects should patients watch out for when taking prednisone long-term. How does prednisone affect mood and mental health. What precautions should be taken when stopping long-term prednisone treatment.

Understanding Prednisone and Its Long-Term Effects

Prednisone, a corticosteroid medication, is widely used to treat various inflammatory conditions. While effective, long-term use can lead to numerous side effects. The severity and likelihood of these effects typically increase with higher doses and prolonged use.

Are all patients equally susceptible to side effects? Not necessarily. Those taking lower doses of prednisone daily are less likely to experience adverse effects. However, it’s crucial to understand that individual responses can vary significantly.

Common Side Effects of Long-Term Prednisone Use

Long-term prednisone use can result in a range of side effects affecting various body systems. These effects occur in more than 1 in 100 people and can significantly impact quality of life.

Weight Gain and Increased Appetite

Why does prednisone cause weight gain? Prednisone can increase appetite and cause water retention, leading to weight gain. This effect is particularly noticeable in long-term use.

• Maintain a balanced diet without increasing portion sizes
• Engage in regular exercise to help manage weight
• Be patient – appetite and water retention typically normalize after stopping prednisone

Digestive Issues and Indigestion

Prednisone can irritate the stomach lining, leading to indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems. How can patients mitigate these effects?

• Take prednisone with food to reduce stomach irritation
• Avoid rich or spicy foods that may exacerbate symptoms
• Consult a doctor about additional stomach-protecting medications if symptoms persist

Sleep Disturbances and Restlessness

Insomnia and feeling restless are common complaints among prednisone users. What strategies can help manage these side effects?

• Take prednisone in the morning to minimize nighttime effects
• Practice good sleep hygiene, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Consider relaxation techniques or meditation to help calm restlessness

Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can be an uncomfortable side effect of prednisone use. How can patients manage this symptom?

• Wear loose, breathable clothing
• Use strong antiperspirants
• Discuss alternative medications with a doctor if sweating becomes unmanageable

Serious Side Effects Requiring Immediate Attention

While less common, serious side effects can occur with long-term prednisone use. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for patient safety.

Increased Risk of Infections

Prednisone suppresses the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections. What signs should patients watch for?

• High fever or chills
• Severe sore throat or ear pain
• Persistent cough or changes in sputum
• Painful urination or non-healing wounds

Endocrine and Metabolic Disturbances

Long-term prednisone use can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance and metabolism. What symptoms might indicate these disturbances?

• Extreme thirst or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Rapid breathing or fruity breath odor (signs of high blood sugar)
• Cushing’s syndrome symptoms (weight gain in upper back or belly, “moon face”)
• Adrenal insufficiency signs (severe fatigue, dizziness, nausea)

Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal Concerns

Prednisone can affect heart health and muscle function. What symptoms warrant immediate medical attention?

• Severe muscle pain or weakness
• Unusual heart rate changes
• Swelling in arms or legs
• Breathlessness
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Impact of Prednisone on Mental Health

Prednisone’s effects extend beyond physical symptoms, often impacting mental health and mood. Understanding these potential changes is crucial for patients and caregivers.

Mood Swings and Emotional Lability

How does prednisone affect mood? Patients may experience a range of mood changes, including:

• Feelings of depression or anxiety
• Sudden mood elevations or euphoria
• Irritability or increased emotional sensitivity

These mood changes can vary in intensity, often correlating with the dosage of prednisone.

Cognitive Effects and Memory Issues

Can prednisone affect cognitive function? Some patients report:

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
• Short-term memory problems
• Confusion or disorientation, especially at higher doses

Rare but Serious Mental Health Concerns

In some cases, prednisone can trigger more severe mental health issues. What should patients and caregivers be aware of?

• Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
• Delusions or paranoid thoughts
• Manic episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder

It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.

Managing Side Effects and Optimizing Treatment

While side effects of long-term prednisone use can be challenging, there are strategies to manage them effectively and optimize treatment outcomes.

Regular Monitoring and Follow-ups

How often should patients on long-term prednisone be monitored? Regular check-ups are essential to:

• Assess the effectiveness of the treatment
• Monitor for side effects and adjust dosage if necessary
• Conduct routine blood tests to check for metabolic changes
• Evaluate bone density to prevent osteoporosis

Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications

What dietary changes can help mitigate prednisone side effects?

• Limit sodium intake to reduce fluid retention
• Increase calcium and vitamin D intake to support bone health
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
• Engage in regular physical activity to support muscle strength and bone density

Complementary Treatments and Supplements

Are there supplements that can help counteract prednisone side effects? Some options to discuss with a healthcare provider include:

• Calcium and vitamin D supplements for bone health
• Probiotics to support digestive health
• Omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory properties

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, as they may interact with prednisone or other medications.

Tapering Off Prednisone: A Crucial Step

Stopping prednisone abruptly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Understanding the tapering process is crucial for patient safety.

The Importance of Gradual Reduction

Why is tapering necessary when stopping prednisone? Gradual reduction allows the body to:

• Slowly resume natural cortisol production
• Minimize the risk of adrenal insufficiency
• Reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms

Potential Withdrawal Symptoms

What symptoms might occur during prednisone tapering?

• Fatigue and weakness
• Joint pain or muscle soreness
• Mood swings or depressive symptoms
• Nausea or loss of appetite

These symptoms can vary in intensity and duration, depending on the length of treatment and dosage.

Tailoring the Tapering Schedule

How is a tapering schedule determined? Factors influencing the tapering process include:

• Duration of prednisone use
• Current dosage
• Individual patient response
• Underlying medical condition being treated

Healthcare providers will create a personalized tapering plan, often reducing the dose by small increments over weeks or months.

Long-Term Prednisone Use in Special Populations

Certain groups may require special considerations when using prednisone long-term. Understanding these unique needs is crucial for optimal care.

Prednisone Use in Children and Adolescents

How does long-term prednisone use affect growing children? Special considerations include:

• Potential growth suppression
• Increased risk of osteoporosis in developing bones
• Possible delays in puberty
• Heightened susceptibility to infections

Close monitoring and growth tracking are essential for pediatric patients on long-term prednisone.

Geriatric Patients and Prednisone

What unique challenges do elderly patients face with long-term prednisone use?

• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• Greater susceptibility to diabetes and hypertension
• Potential for drug interactions with other medications
• Heightened risk of cognitive side effects

Careful dosing and regular monitoring are crucial for managing prednisone use in older adults.

Prednisone During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Is prednisone safe during pregnancy and lactation? While sometimes necessary, special considerations include:

• Potential risks to fetal development, especially in the first trimester
• Increased risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension
• Possible impact on infant growth if used while breastfeeding

Close collaboration between obstetricians and rheumatologists is essential for managing prednisone use in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Alternative Treatments and Steroid-Sparing Strategies

For patients concerned about long-term prednisone use, exploring alternative treatments or steroid-sparing strategies may be beneficial.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

How can DMARDs help reduce reliance on prednisone? These medications:

• Target the underlying causes of inflammation
• May allow for lower doses or discontinuation of prednisone
• Include options like methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and biologics

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Can NSAIDs be used as an alternative to prednisone? While not suitable for all conditions, NSAIDs can:

• Provide pain relief and reduce inflammation
• Be used in conjunction with other treatments to minimize prednisone use
• Offer a different side effect profile compared to corticosteroids

Lifestyle and Complementary Approaches

What non-pharmacological strategies can complement or potentially reduce prednisone use?

• Dietary modifications, such as anti-inflammatory diets
• Regular exercise and physical therapy
• Stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Acupuncture or other complementary therapies (under medical supervision)

While these approaches may not replace prednisone entirely, they can contribute to overall disease management and potentially allow for lower steroid doses.

The Future of Corticosteroid Treatments

As medical research advances, new approaches to corticosteroid therapy are emerging, aiming to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects.

Targeted Delivery Systems

How might targeted drug delivery improve prednisone treatment? Emerging technologies include:

• Nanoparticle-based delivery systems for more precise targeting
• Time-release formulations to mimic natural cortisol rhythms
• Topical preparations for localized treatment with reduced systemic effects

Novel Corticosteroid Analogues

Can new corticosteroid formulations offer improved safety profiles? Research is ongoing into:

• Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SEGRMs)
• Dissociated steroids that separate anti-inflammatory effects from metabolic side effects
• Combination therapies that allow for lower steroid doses

Personalized Medicine Approaches

How might personalized medicine impact prednisone treatment in the future?

• Genetic testing to predict individual responses to corticosteroids
• Biomarker-guided dosing for more precise treatment
• AI-assisted treatment planning to optimize dosing and minimize side effects

These advancements hold promise for more effective and safer long-term corticosteroid use, potentially transforming the management of chronic inflammatory conditions.

Side effects of prednisolone tablets and liquid

The higher the dose of prednisolone that you take and the longer you take it for, the greater the chance of side effects. You’re less likely to get side effects if you take a relatively low dose of prednisolone daily.

If you have been taking prednisolone for more than a few weeks, check with your doctor before stopping it suddenly to reduce your chances of withdrawal side effects.

Some side effects, such as stomach upset or mood changes, can happen straight away. Others, such as getting a rounder face, happen after weeks or months.

Common side effects

These common side effects of prednisolone happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Weight gain

If you have to take prednisolone for more than a few weeks, it’s likely that you’ll put on weight. Prednisolone can make you hungrier and also can make you retain more water in your body.

Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.

Once you stop taking prednisolone, your appetite and the way your body retains water should return to normal.

Indigestion

Take prednisolone with food to reduce the chances of stomach problems. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you’re taking this medicine.

If symptoms carry on, ask your doctor if you may benefit from taking an additional medicine to protect your stomach.

Problems sleeping (insomnia)

Take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime.

Feeling restless

If you’re feeling restless when you’re trying to sleep, take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime.

Sweating a lot

Try wearing loose clothing and use a strong anti-perspirant. If this does not help, talk to your doctor as you may be able to try a different medicine.

Mild mood changes

Prednisolone can affect your mood in different ways. Talk to your doctor if you are finding it hard to cope.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and any of these side effects bother you or last more than a few days.

Serious side effects

You are more likely to have a serious side effect if you take a higher dose of prednisolone or if you have been taking it for more than a few weeks.

Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if you get:

• a high temperature, chills, a very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, a cough, more saliva or a change in colour of saliva (yellowish and possibly with streaks of blood), pain when you pee, mouth sores or a wound that will not heal – these can be signs of an infection
• sleepy or confused, feeling very thirsty or hungry, peeing more often, flushing, breathing quickly or breath that smells like fruit – these can be signs of high blood sugar
• weight gain in your upper back or belly, “moon face” (a puffy, rounded face), very bad headaches and slow wound healing – these can be signs of Cushing’s syndrome
• a very upset stomach or you’re being sick (vomiting), very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
• muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or changes in your heart rate – these can be signs of low potassium levels
• severe stomach pain, severe back pain, severe upset stomach or you’re being sick – these can be signs of pancreas problems
• breathlessness
• swelling in your arms or legs
• changes in your eyesight
• any bruising or bleeding that is not normal
• red or black poo

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

Mood changes

You may notice mood changes and mental health problems while taking prednisolone.

Talk to your doctor or contact 111 if you have any mood changes including:

• feeling depressed
• feeling high, or moods that go up and down
• feeling anxious, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking, or being confused and losing your memory
• feeling, seeing or hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations)
• having strange and frightening thoughts, changing how you act, or having feelings of being alone

The higher the dose, the more intense the mood changes can be.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to prednisolone.

Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Long-term side effects

Taking prednisolone for a long time can lead to side effects such as:

• thinner bones (osteoporosis)
• poorly controlled diabetes
• eyesight problems
• high blood pressure (hypertension)

Children and teenagers

Taking prednisolone at higher doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers.

Your child’s doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they’re taking this medicine. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child’s growth and change their treatment if needed.

Even if your child’s growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height.

Talk to your doctor if you’re worried. They’ll be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child prednisolone.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of prednisolone. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information.

Page last reviewed: 24 February 2022

Next review due: 24 February 2025

What are the side effects of low dose prednisone?

Ask the Expert, Treatment — Sep 21, 2020

Ask the Expert: What are the side effects of taking a low dose prednisone every day? It’s the only thing that helps with my pain, but I hear it’s not a long-term solution?

Prednisone belongs to the class of medications known as corticosteroids (or anti-inflammatory agents). These medications provide relief of inflammation and are used to treat a variety of medical conditions including pain, asthma, Sjögren’s and rheumatoid arthritis. As with all medications, corticosteroids have some adverse side effects related to the dose and the duration in which the medication is taken. Side effects associated with low dose (7.5 mg/day or less) daily prednisone are less severe than those seen with higher doses (greater than 30mg/day) and can usually be managed with precautions. Common side effects of daily low dose prednisone include elevated blood pressure, swelling, changes in blood sugar, increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), irregular menstrual periods, and mood changes. Serious side effects associated with higher doses and long-term use (greater than 1 month) are impaired wound healing, decreased growth (in children), decreased muscle production, fat deposits, stomach ulcers or bleeding, vision problems, higher risk for infection, and in rare cases life-threatening allergic reactions.

Although the list of side effects may make you wonder whether you should take this medication or not, please be reassured that many people take daily low dose prednisone with minor or no side effects. The following self-care tips may help minimize some of the side effects associated with prednisone. For those experiencing swelling and/or elevated blood pressure, a healthy low sodium diet, regular exercise, and stress management can help to keep your blood pressure under control while taking daily low dose prednisone. If you have diabetes, it is important to monitor your blood sugar and report any severe fluctuations in blood sugar to your provider. It is recommended that prednisone be taken with food or milk to minimize stomach upset and reduce the chance of stomach ulceration. Schedule yearly eye exams and report any new changes in vision to your eye doctor. Long term corticosteroid therapy may cause thinning of bones (osteoporosis) which increases the risk of bone fracture. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about vitamin D and calcium supplementation to help protect your bones. Since long term prednisone use can increase your risk for infection, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your vaccination history and be sure to stay up to date on all of your recommended vaccines. Alert your family members and friends about the possibility of mood changes associated with this medication, so they can help detect any unusual changes in your behavior. Report any changes in mood or behavior to your doctor.

Although experiencing side effects is unpleasant, it is crucial to avoid sudden discontinuation of this medication. Never stop or decrease your dose unless instructed by your doctor. Your doctor can instruct you on how to slowly decrease your dose if you need to stop taking this medication for any reason.

By Ajay John, Pharmacy Intern and Kayli Smith, Pharm.D

This article was first printed in  the Foundation’s patient newsletter for members. Click here to learn more about becoming a member. 

Help Support the Sjögren’s Foundation

Help support the Sjögren’s Foundation by donating today! Not only will your donation help fund critical research, educational opportunities and support the Foundation’s mission to create ‘a community where patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers come together to conquer the complexities of Sjögren’s’ but it is also 100% tax deductible.

Click Here to Donate

Comments

Prednisolone – what you need to know about taking this drug

Most often in non-medical circles it is called a steroid or glucocorticoid, many people think that this is a very dangerous drug and are very reluctant to agree to treatment with this drug.

But for certain diseases, it is prednisolone that is considered an obligatory and necessary drug of first choice in the treatment of a disease (for example, nephrotic syndrome, which you can read about here).

We are not talking about the drug itself and for what diseases it should be prescribed, but our information block about what doctors usually forget when they prescribe prednisolone. Usually, children come for a consultation while taking prednisolone in combination with asparkam. Believe me, hypokalemia (decrease in the level of potassium in the blood), in connection with which asparks are prescribed, is not the most common complication when prescribing prednisolone.

In our practice, almost 90% of patients receiving this drug are diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome.

Prednisolone is prescribed for a long period of time (the full course of therapy before the drug is discontinued may last 6-12 months), additional drugs must be prescribed to prevent the side effects of prednisolone. They are:

1. In order to protect the mucosa of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum), prednisolone may cause indigestion, nausea, vomiting and more serious complications such as steroid ulcers. However, all this can be avoided by taking the so-called – gastroprotective drugs (i.e. Protection of the stomach in literal translation). These are antacids (eg Maalox, phosphalugel, etc.), H+ pump blockers (eg Omeprazole), drugs that improve the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. All doses of drugs are selected individually according to age and body weight.
2. Bone protection. Long-term use of steroids can cause a decrease in bone mass, so-called steroid osteoporosis (bone thinning) can develop, which ultimately leads to bone fractures. But this condition can also be prevented, it is necessary to take calcium and vitamin D preparations . The dose of drugs is also selected individually.

Other things to watch out for:

1. Mandatory blood pressure monitoring
2. Observation of an ophthalmologist: control of vision, the state of intraocular pressure and the lens of the eye.
3. When taking prednisolone for a very long time, check blood glucose levels.
4. State of mental health. Children very often become capricious, sometimes even aggressive. This condition resolves on its own after discontinuation of the drug.
5. Watch your weight and diet. Against the background of taking prednisolone, the appetite increases very much. However, you, as a parent, can control the nutrition of your child, it is necessary to limit the intake of easily digestible carbohydrates.
6. In order to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of gastroprotective therapy, the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract is assessed by – EGDS (gastroscopy).

This information has been prepared by an employee of the department (pediatrician) for informational purposes only. It is necessary to consult with your doctor.

If you have any questions about this topic or have suggestions, we are happy to answer questions and accept your suggestions.

What helps, analogues, dosage, side effects

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. It is necessary to consult a specialist. Allergies in joints and muscles of the joint -bearing asthma -powder of joint -tank -tag -tanks from allergies

, author of Article

Podoynitsyna Alena Andreevna,

Diploma of pharmaceutical education: 105924 3510722 reg. number 31917

All authors

Contents of the article

• Prednisolone: ​​from what
• Prednisolone for allergies
• Prednisolone for covid
• Prednisolone: ​​dosage
• Consequences treatment with Prednisolone
• Prednisolone: ​​side effects
• Prednisolone and alcohol
• Prednisolone: analogues
• Ask an expert on the topic of the article

Prednisolone has been successfully used to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases since 1955 years old. This is a proven drug. Prednisolone has thousands of clinical studies in its “baggage”, is included in the list of vital and essential drugs in Russia and WHO.

We tell you when Prednisolone helps, what side effects it has and how to use the drug correctly.

All products Prednisolone

4 reviews

Prednisolone: ​​what

Prednisolone is a synthetic hormone glucocorticoid. In the human body, glucocorticoids are produced by the adrenal glands. They regulate carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism.

Prednisolone has the following actions:

• anti-inflammatory
• decongestant
• antiallergic
• anti-shock
• immunosuppressive

The drug has a wide range of indications, it is used for:

• shock states
• allergic diseases, including anaphylactic shock
• cerebral edema
• bronchial asthma
• systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
• inflammatory diseases of the joints
• acute adrenal insufficiency
• thyrotoxic crisis, thyroiditis
• hepatitis and hepatic coma
• diseases of the skin and eyes
• diseases of the hematopoietic organs
• lung diseases (including tuberculosis and cancer)
• in organ transplantation

Hormone treatment seriously affects the organs and systems of the human body. There are a lot of contraindications for Prednisolone, a complete list is indicated in the instructions for the drug and in the Register of Medicines of Russia (RLS). The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

For life-saving use, the only contraindication is hypersensitivity to prednisolone or the components of the drug.

You may be interested in: Bronchial asthma clinical guidelines for treatment and prevention

Prednisolone for allergies

The antiallergic effect of Prednisolone is due to the fact that the drug changes the body’s immune response to allergens. The hormone inhibits the synthesis of biologically active substances – allergy mediators. Reduces the number of cells responsible for immunity. Inhibits the formation of antibodies.

In case of anaphylactic shock and bronchial status, prednisolone is administered intravenously, in other cases, for allergies, the doctor prescribes intramuscular injections or tablets.

Prednisolone for covid

Glucocorticoids, including Prednisolone, are indicated for the complicated course of coronavirus infection. They are prescribed when pneumonia develops with respiratory failure.

World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Guidelines published based on clinical trial data:

• Recommendation #1: WHO strongly recommends oral or intramuscular corticosteroids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, or prednisolone) for the treatment of patients with severe and critical COVID-19.
• Recommendation #2: WHO does not recommend the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with non-severe COVID-19 unless the patient is already taking the drug for another condition.

Prednisolone: ​​dosage

The dose of Prednisolone and the duration of therapy is determined by the doctor individually, depending on the indications and the severity of the disease.

At the beginning of the course, the drug is prescribed in a higher dose. When a therapeutic effect is achieved, it is reduced to maintenance.

The daily dose is best taken once in the morning. This corresponds to the biological rhythm of the adrenal glands. The high dose can be divided into 2-4 doses, and the largest dose taken between 6 and 8 am.

Withdrawal of the drug is carried out gradually. A smooth dose reduction is due to the “withdrawal” syndrome. When treated with Prednisolone, the adrenal glands stop producing their own glucocorticoids. With a sharp cessation of the intake of Prednisolone, the body remains without hormones.

A serious condition occurs with a risk to life. It is necessary to gradually reduce the intake of the hormone from the outside in order to restore the function of the adrenal glands. The doctor should draw up a scheme on how to reduce the dose of Prednisolone. For each case, it is individual and depends on the duration of treatment and the dose that the patient took during treatment.

If Prednisolone is used urgently and not more than 3 days, then gradual withdrawal is not required

Effects of treatment with Prednisolone

Hormone treatment should be taken very seriously. Long-term therapy with large doses of Prednisolone is accompanied by numerous adverse reactions.

One of the most noticeable is weight gain. It is better from the first days of therapy to choose a diet with a lot of vegetables, exclude sugar, limit carbohydrates, fatty and fried foods. Arrange fasting days, drink plenty of water and give yourself physical activity.

Still needed:

• take medicines to protect the digestive tract, heart and bones
• monitor blood pressure
• see an ophthalmologist
• monitor glucose levels
• stop taking the drug gradually under the supervision of the attending physician

Prednisolone: ​​side effects

The frequency and severity of side effects depends on the duration of treatment, the level of doses taken and compliance with the rules for taking the drug. We indicate the most severe negative effects:

• development of diabetes
• adrenal suppression
• bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers
• increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias up to cardiac arrest, heart failure
• thrombosis
• osteoporosis
• mental disorders
• development and exacerbation of infections

Antacids and potassium preparations are prescribed to reduce side effects.

Prednisolone and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol during treatment with Prednisolone. Alcohol increases the risk of erosions, ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Prednisolone analogues

Hormone therapy is a complex and responsible process. Only the attending physician can choose an analogue to replace Prednisolone. For information, we indicate drugs that also belong to glucocorticoids:

• Dexazon
• Dexamethasone
• Kenalog
• Cortef
• Medrol
• Methylprednisolone
• Metipred
• Polcortolone
• Triamcinolone

All products Metipred

25 reviews

All products Medrol

20 reviews

All products Kenalog

6 reviews

All products Dexamethasone

14 reviews

Let’s summarize the information.

Prednisolone is a powerful analog of natural glucocorticoids. It suppresses the immune system and has an anti-inflammatory effect.