The Facts About Prednisone

Prednisone was first introduced in 1955 as a cortisone like drug. It is a corticosteroid. It is known by the brand names Aspred-C, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Panasol-S, Paracort, Prednicen-M, Predisone Intensol, SK-Prednisone, Sterapred, and Sterapred-DS. All in the United States. In Canada Prednisone is known by the brand names Winpred, Apo-Prednisone, Metreton, and Novoprednisone. Prednisone is available by a doctor’s prescription in tablets, syrup, and as an oral solution. The oral solution dosage is 5mg/5ml, the syrup dosage is 5mg/5ml (5%alcohol), and the tablet dosages are 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg. A generic form of Prednisone is available. Taking this medication with milk or food is advised to cut down on stomach upset.

Prednisone is good relief for inflammatory and allergic disorders and as an immunosuppressant. It is also prescribed as a prevention of rejection in organ transplantations.

Its side effects include weight gain, increased appetite, water and salt retention, immune suppression, mild depression, and impaired wound healing. There is easy bruising with prednisone therapy.

Prednisone should not be taken by individuals who have had an allergic reaction to it, an active peptic ulcer, an active herpes simplex virus eye infection, active tuberculosis, or a fungal infection.

Long term use of prednisone produces “functional dependence” and increased blood sugar, a rounding of the face, thinning of the skin, retarded growth, loss of bone texture, and added fat deposits on the trunk of the body.