Prednisone

Why is this medicine prescribed?
Prednisone is a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It relieves inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

How should this medicine be used?
There are many different ways that this medication may be taken. If your doctor instructs you to take prednisone once daily or every second day, take the dose with breakfast. If you must take several doses throughout the day, then space them evenly throughout the time that you are awake.

Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. It is likely that your doctor will slowly take you off the drug in order to prevent symptoms of withdrawal .

Take prednisone exactly as directed, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Do not change the dose or frequency prescribed without instructions from your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking this medication, talk to your doctor and pharmacist about:

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Once daily regimen: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Every second day regimen: If you remember the morning of the missed dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue on as usual.
If you remember in the afternoon or later, skip the dose, and begin a new schedule the following morning.

Several times daily: Take the dose as soon as you remember, and space the other doses evenly throughout the rest of the day.
If you remember at the time of the next dose, you may take a double dose.

What side effects can this medicine cause?
Side effects from prednisone may occur. Tell your doctor if these symptoms are severe or persist :

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these effects:

• back or hip pain
• vision problems
• a cold or infection that lasts longer than usual
• muscle weakness
• bloody or dark, tarry stool

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat, light and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dispose properly of any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What other information should I know?
You can take this medication with food or milk if it causes stomach upset. You doctor may suggest a diet that is low in sodium, low in salt, high in potassium, and high in protein.

Alcohol and certain pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen) can increase the likelihood of stomach upset or other stomach problems, and should be avoided.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab test s to check your response to prednisone.