Prednisone 20 mg Tablets Online
Prednisone is a prescription medicine utilized in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. It is used to suppress the immune system in order to reduce inflammation when the immune system is in an overactive state. Prednisone is a pro-drug that needs to be converted to its more active form — Prednisolone — to exert its effects. It belongs to a class of drugs known as glucocorticoids and comes in different brand names such as Deltasone and Rayos. You can find this medication as a 20 mg white tablet.
Uses of Prednisone
Doctors prescribe Prednisone for the following:
- Allergic disorders
- Arthritis
- Skin conditions
- Lupus erythematosus
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatic disorders
- Severe tuberculosis
- Thyroiditis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Asthma
- Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium) due to cancer and adrenal insufficiency
Prednisone can be used for other purposes not listed above.
How Does Prednisone Work, and Why is it so Effective?
Though inflammation is a complex phenomenon, Prednisone handles it effectively. For this drug to be useful to the body, it must be converted to Prednisolone by an enzyme in the liver called 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
By binding to cell glucocorticoid receptors, prednisolone (the active form of Prednisone), operates to impede riotous cells and abolish the expression of inflammatory mediators. As a result, Prednisone decreases inflammation, slows down an overactive immune system, and takes up the role of cortisol (its natural analog) in modulating inflammation.
Precautions
Patients should adhere to these warnings before consuming Prednisone:
- This medicine is a steroid and can weaken your immune system, thereby making you more susceptible to sickness. Hence, you should avoid people who are sick or have an infection when taking Prednisone.
- Do not take this drug if you have a fungal infection that would require the use of oral antifungals.
- Stay away from this medicine if you are allergic to Prednisone. However, to be certain that this drug is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have any of the following:
○ Thyroid disorders
○ Muscular disorders (Myasthenia gravis)
○ Tuberculosis
○ Kidney disorders
○ Diabetes
○ Any diarrhea-causing illness
○ Osteoporosis
○ Liver disorders
○ Eye disorders like (herpes eye infections, glaucoma, or cataracts)
○ Malaria
○ History of stomach bleeding, ulcer, or ulcerative colitis
○ Depression or other mental disorders
○ Hypokalemia
○ Hypertension or heart disease
- Prolonged use of this drug can predispose you to osteoporosis, especially if you smoke, are calcium and vitamin D deficient, are obese, or have a family history of osteoporosis.
- Do not take this drug during your first trimester. It can cause low birth weight and birth defects in children if the mother takes it during her first trimester. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using Prednisone.
- Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding as the drug can pass through breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.
How to Take Prednisone
The instructions for use are on your prescription sheet, and you should take them accordingly. It is important to consume Prednisone with a meal. Also, the delayed-release tablet should not be crushed or chewed but swallowed whole. If using the suspension, measure the dosage with the device supplied with the drug.
While your doctor may change your dosage if you suddenly fall ill or have the need to go for surgery, do not stop taking this drug prematurely. Also, do not change your dose schedule without your doctor's knowledge/advice. You should resist the urge to take Prednisone for a longer period than prescribed.
Note that the Prednisone dose you will consume depends on the symptoms you present and whether your treatment duration is long or short-term. However, the dose for adults is between 5 mg to 60 mg daily. Your doctor may adjust the dose until best results are achieved.
For pediatric patients, the Prednisone dose may be reduced and administered based on age and body weight.
Side Effects of Prednisone
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience side effects due to allergies to Prednisone such as difficulty in breathing, swellings (lips, throat, face, or tongue), and hives. Other common side effects of this drug include:
- Insomnia, changes in mood
- Wounds not healing quickly
- Headaches, dizziness with a spinning sensation
- Increased appetite accompanied by weight gain
- Changes in the location/distribution of fat in different parts of the body
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Vision problems, muscle pains
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing blood
- Severe high blood pressure
- Convulsions, blurry vision
- More frequent urination, extreme thirst, confusion, muscle weakness
Missed Doses and Overdose
You should skip missed doses to prevent consuming multiple doses of Prednisone unless the time for your next dose is not close. But if you suspect that you have taken more than the prescribed dose, call the poison control team in your area.
Drug Interactions
Prednisone interacts with many drugs. However, you should inform your doctor of all drugs you are using or have consumed previously. Below is a list of some drugs to avoid when taking Prednisone.
- St. John’s worth
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Blood thinners
- Diuretics
- Antiretrovirals
- Birth control pills
● NSAIDs