- What is it for
- How to take
- Who should not use
- Possible side effects
- What is the difference between prednisolone and prednisone?
Prednisone is a corticosteroid indicated to treat allergic, endocrine and musculoskeletal disorders, skin problems, ophthalmic, respiratory, hematological diseases, cancer-related problems, among others.
This medicine is available in tablets and can be purchased in pharmacies, for a price of about 8 to 22 reais, upon presentation of a prescription. Prednisone is available in generic form or under the trade names Corticorten or Meticorten.
What is it for
Prednisone is a drug that acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant, being indicated for the treatment of diseases in which inflammatory and autoimmune processes occur, treatment of endocrine problems and associated with other drugs for the treatment of cancer. Thus, this medicine is indicated in the following cases:
- Endocrine disorders, such as adrenocortical insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, non-suppurative thyroid and hypercalcemia associated with cancer; Rheumatism, such as psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, nonspecific acute tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, osteoarthritic synovitis and epicondylitis; Collagenoses, in particular cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and acute rheumatic carditis; Skin diseases, such as pemphigus, some dermatitis, mycosis and severe psoriasis; Allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, contact and atopic dermatitis, serum diseases and hypersensitivity reactions to drugs; Ophthalmic diseases, such as marginal allergic corneal ulcers, ophthalmic herpes zoster, inflammation of the anterior segment, choroiditis and diffuse posterior uveitis, sympathetic ophthalmia, allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, iritis and iridocyclitis; Respiratory diseases, such as symptomatic sarcoidosis, Löefler's syndrome, berylliosis, some cases of tuberculosis, aspiration pneumonitis and bronchial asthma; Blood disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired hemolytic anemia, erythrocytic anemia and erythroid anemia; Cancer, in the palliative treatment of leukemias and lymphomas.
In addition, prednisone can also be used to treat acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, to reduce swelling in cases of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and lupus erythematosus and to maintain the patient who has suffered from ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis.
How to take
The recommended dose ranges from 5 to 60 mg per day, starting with low doses and increasing as needed. After obtaining a favorable response, the doctor can reduce the dosage little by little until reaching the maintenance dose, which is the lowest dose with an adequate clinical response.
It is recommended to take the tablet with a little water in the morning.
Who should not use
Prednisone is contraindicated for people with systemic fungal infections or uncontrolled infections and for patients with allergies to prednisolone or any of the components of the formula.
In addition, this medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless recommended by the doctor.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can occur during treatment with prednisone are increased appetite, poor digestion, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis and ulcerative esophagitis, nervousness, fatigue and insomnia.
In addition, allergic reactions, eye disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma, exophthalmos and intensification of secondary infections by eye fungi or viruses, reduced tolerance to carbohydrates, manifestation of latent diabetes mellitus and increased need for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may occur. in diabetics.
Treatment with high doses of corticosteroids can induce a marked increase in blood triglycerides.
See more about the side effects of corticosteroids.
What is the difference between prednisolone and prednisone?
Prednisone is a prodrug of prednisolone, that is, prednisone is an inactive substance, which in order to become active needs to be transformed in the liver into prednisolone, to exert its action.
Thus, if the person ingests prednisone or prednisolone, the action exerted by the medication will be the same, since prednisone is transformed and activated, in the liver, into prednisolone. For this reason, prednisolone has more advantages for people with liver problems, as it does not need to be transformed in the liver to exercise activity in the body.
