Prednisone

Major Uses

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid drug and steroid hormone used to reduce the inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with various diseases and disorders, including arthritis, certain autoimmune conditions, endotoxic shock, allergies, some cancers, skin diseases, and other conditions. Prednisone is also an important part of Addison's disease treatment.

Prednisone is closely related to prednisolone. In fact, prednisone is converted in the liver to prednisolone. Therefore, these drugs are generally considered the same thing. In cases of severe liver disease, prednisolone may be preferred over prednisone.

Common Precautions

Prednisone tends to cause excessive thirst and excessive urination due to its salt conservation action in the kidneys. Development of either of these side effects requires switching to a different steroid drug. In cases of congestive heart failure, salt retention can have serious consequences.

Other side effects associated with use of prednisone include weight gain, aggression and other behavior changes, panting, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term use may cause diabetes, Cushing's disease, poor hair coat, hypothyroidism, or pancreatitis. High doses may significantly suppress the immune system, leaving the animal vulnerable to potentially fatal infections. High doses may also cause stomach irritation or ulcers.

Following long-term daily use, it is very important to taper the dose of prednisone before discontinuing therapy. Failure to do so can result in severe illness or even death.

Prednisone should not be used in animals with a history of bacterial or fungal infections. Because this medication suppresses the immune system, it can cause latent infections to reappear and can prevent the body from fighting off otherwise harmless infections.

This drug is known to trigger labor and should not be used in pregnant animals. Animals with diabetes, stomach ulcers, liver or kidney disease, Cushing's disease, or heart disease should use this medication with caution.

This medication can cause altered liver enzyme levels on blood testing and can interfere with thyroid disease testing. Potassium and cholesterol levels may also also be affected by use of the drug.

Long-term use of prednisone must be discontinued gradually and with great care. Abruptly stopping the medication can trigger symptoms of Addison's disease, including vomiting, weakness, collapse, and sudden death.

Prednisone may interact with a variety of supplements and medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, rifampin, phenytoin, insulin, mitotane, erythromycin, modified live vaccines, phenobarbital, thiazide, cyclosporine, and estrogens.

Prednisone should not be used in animals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug. Acute overdose does not typically cause symptoms. Chronic overdose of prednisone may cause symptoms and signs of Cushing's disease or diabetes mellitus. Any known or suspected overdose should be reported to a veterinarian right away.

Storage

Prednisone should be stored in a light-resistant container, at room temperature, and in its original packaging. It should be kept away from children and animals.

Administration

Prednisone is available in tablet form in strengths ranging from 1 mg to 50 mg. It is also available as a 3 mg/ml syrup, a 1 mg/ml suspension, and as an injectable in various concentrations.

As an anti-inflammatory, the typical dose of prednisone is 0.1 to 0.3 mg/lb (0.2 to 0.6 mg/kg) up to twice daily. As an immunosuppressant, the typical dose is 1 to 3 mg/lb (2 to 6 mg/kg) up to twice daily.

Doses may vary in different species, when the drug is given by a different route or concurrently with other medications, and with regards to a patient's age, breed, and health status. A veterinarian's dosing instructions and/or those printed on the medication label should be followed closely.

If a dose of prednisone is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the normal schedule resumed. Two doses of this medication should not be taken at once.