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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> prednisone 
        
(Message started by: eddie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 12:09pm)

Title: prednisone
Post by eddie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 12:09pm

High dose or long-term use of prednisone can cause two types of eye problems - cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts are deposits in the lens of the eye and are part of the normal aging process. They are more common after long term prednisone usage and there is nothing you can do to prevent them. Fortunately, the cataracts caused by prednisone are usually small and usually not the type that interfere with normal vision. Prednisone can also increase the pressure of the fluid inside the eyeball, a painless condition known as glaucoma. If eyeball pressure rises high enough, vision may be permanently damaged. Blindness can result. However, once diagnosed, glaucoma can be treated with prescription eyedrops. Patients on prednisone should see their eye doctor at least once a year for a complete eye examination

Title: Re: prednisone
Post by eddie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 4:45pm

Unless instructed otherwise, prednisone should be taken all at once with breakfast. Prednisone is not to be taken randomly during the day. This minimizes the risk of adrenal gland suppression and atrophy. (When high doses are required, the dose may have to be split between morning and evening doses for short periods of time.) In some patients prednisone can be given at twice the dose every other morning. This doesn't work for everyone, but when possible, allows your system a brief, yet helpful, reprieve from the drug.

Prednisone is best taken with food. Prednisone can irritate the stomach lining and therefore should be taken with food which serves as a buffer and reduces the irritation. Tell your doctor if you have a tendency to form peptic ulcers since this may require special care.

Take the dose as prescribed. There is no fixed rule for the correct dose of prednisone. Each case is different. Your doctor will determine what initial dose is best for you depending on the activity of your disease, your age, weight, any other medical conditions you may have, and your response to treatment. Do not alter the dose on your own without your doctor's consent. Fine tuning of your prednisone dosage will take place as your doctor follows your progress. The goal, of course, is to control your illness with the lowest effective dose of prednisone possible for the shortest period of time. Your doctor will routinely reassess what dose is necessary for you.

Don't skip doses. This is not a casual drug and taking it inconsistently can be very dangerous. If you forget a dose, it is safe to take the normal dose of the medication as soon as you remember and resume your normal schedule the following morning. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose.

Do not abruptly stop taking this medication on your own. If prednisone is taken for months and years, the adrenal glands within the body lose their ability to produce steroids naturally. In fact, the adrenal glands can shrink in size. If you have been on prednisone for more than one month, it is important that you do not stop it "cold turkey." This can cause an acute withdrawal reaction that can lead to a crisis situation. Prednisone must be slowly tapered under your doctor's supervision. When you travel, always carry a supply of medication with you. When flying, keep all your medications in your carry-on baggage. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, you won't miss a dose.

If you have taken prednisone for more than a month, you may require an extra dose during physically stressful situations such as major surgery or severe infections. These "booster" doses can be given either by vein or by mouth. Usually the dose need be raised for only a day or so. This may be true even up to one year after you have discontinued the medication. This point is well known to doctors, but it is important for you to remember if you are away from your doctor and require major surgery or develop a severe infection. If you are on long term prednisone therapy, carry a notice with you on a Medic-Alert bracelet or in your wallet. (Medic-Alert Foundation can be contacted a their website at www.medicalert.org/ at their toll-free number 800-825-3785.) Be sure that all your doctors know that you are taking chronic prednisone therapy.
i know i have taken it for about 17yrs off and on

Title: Re: prednisone
Post by don on Oct 10^th, 2004, 5:54pm

Quote:

prednisone should be taken all at once with breakfast

News to me and I have used prednisone for years on and off. Doc always prescibes it in split daily doses.

Title: Re: prednisone
Post by eddie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 7:07pm

yes i didnt understand that because they medro dos
pak i just read it again still dont understand that.
i have taken it for so long just started having more
trouble with it lately. last pred taper didnt work as
well my hips,knees and other joints bother me bad.
i always called the ill pill. i do take verapamil, imitrex
and o2 . i still get 2 times a day k 8 or 10 and i have
taken pred taper this last time 2 months ago. before
that medrol dose pak so i have taken enough this year
i feel . PFDAN TO ALL EDDIE

Title: Re: prednisone
Post by fullhead on Oct 12^th, 2004, 8:02am

I am on my 2nd Dospak and it is heavenly! When I'm on the pak, I practically forget about CH! Here's my prob.: I don't have a neuro yet and I've read in another article that pred. can be taken in lesser amounts the first days and then slowly decreased; as opposed to the day 1 = 7 reduced to day 6 = 1. So in order to prolong the pak, I only took 4 on day 1 & 2 this time and will probably only take 3 today. Am I safe? Also, due to my pharm friends, I can get more. He said to wait the length of time that I was on the pak. Is it OK to start again 2 weeks later?
Thanks!

Title: Re: prednisone
Post by eddie on Oct 12^th, 2004, 9:14am

PRESCRIBED FOR: Prednisone is used in the management of inflammatory conditions or diseases in which the immune system plays an important role. Since prednisone is used in so many conditions, only the most common or established uses are mentioned here. Prednisone most often is used for treating several types of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus, allergic reactions, asthma and severe psoriasis. It also is used for treating leukemias, lymphomas, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Corticosteroids, including prednisone, are commonly used to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs. Prednisone is used as replacement therapy in patients whose adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol.

DOSING: The initial dose of prednisone varies depending on the condition being treated and the age of the patient. The starting dose may be from 5 to 60 mg per day and often is adjusted based on the response of the condition being treated. Corticosteroids typically do not produce immediate effects and must be used for several days before maximal effects are seen. It may take much longer before conditions respond to treatment. Prolonged therapy with prednisone causes the adrenal glands to atrophy and stop producing cortisol. When prednisone is discontinued after a period of prolonged therapy, the dose of prednisone must be tapered (lowered gradually) to allow the adrenal glands time to recover. (See side effects.) It is recommended that prednisone be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Prednisone may interact with estrogens and phenytoin (Dilantin). Estrogens may reduce the action of enzymes in the liver that break down (eliminate) the active form of prednisone, prednisolone. As a result, the levels of prednisolone in the body may increase and lead to more frequent side effects. Phenytoin increases the activity of enzymes in the liver that break down (eliminate) prednisone and thereby may reduce the effectiveness of prednisone. Thus, if phenytoin is being taken, an increased dose of prednisone may be required.

be careful with it