Prednisone

Prednisone Tablets are a prescription corticosteroid medication taken by mouth. For this asthma page, our service focuses on prednisone’s clinically appropriate use for asthma-related flare-ups when a licensed healthcare provider determines it may be right for the patient.

• Generic name: prednisone
• Oral tablet, not an inhaler or DPI
• Available on this page in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths
• May be used as part of provider-directed asthma care
• Not a replacement for a rescue inhaler or emergency asthma treatment

Prednisone is also approved for other conditions, but this product page is focused only on asthma-related care through an online provider review.

Prednisone Tablets are taken by mouth exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. The dose and length of treatment are individualized, so you should follow your prescription label and not change your dose on your own.

• Your provider decides whether prednisone is appropriate for your asthma-related symptoms
• Do not use prednisone instead of your rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems
• Do not stop early or extend treatment unless your provider tells you to
• Some patients may need the dose reduced gradually, depending on the treatment plan
• Tell your provider about other medications, recent infections, vaccines, pregnancy, or breastfeeding

If your breathing gets worse or feels urgent, seek medical help right away.

Prednisone can cause side effects, and some may require medical attention. Possible side effects include fluid retention, higher blood pressure, mood or sleep changes, headache, increased sweating, stomach discomfort, blood sugar changes, and increased risk of infection.

• Contact your provider if you develop signs of infection, fever, unusual weakness, severe mood changes, vision changes, or swelling
• Seek urgent care for severe breathing trouble, chest pain, severe allergic symptoms, or symptoms that feel like an emergency
• Tell your provider if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, eye problems, osteoporosis, or immune system concerns
• Do not get certain vaccines while taking corticosteroids unless your provider says it is appropriate
• Children may need extra monitoring with corticosteroid use

See Important Safety and full Prescribing Information.

Prednisone Tablets may be used for asthma-related flare-ups when a licensed healthcare provider decides it is clinically appropriate. This page is focused on asthma-related care, even though prednisone may be prescribed for other conditions.

Prednisone is taken by mouth and is not an inhaler. It should not be used as a substitute for a rescue inhaler or emergency care if breathing symptoms are sudden, severe, or getting worse.

Tell the provider about your asthma symptoms, current medications, allergies, recent infections, and any recent or planned vaccines. Also mention if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, eye problems, osteoporosis, immune system concerns, mood or mental health history, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

This helps the provider decide whether prednisone may be appropriate or whether another next step is safer.

Yes. Prednisone Tablets require a prescription. Online access still starts with a licensed provider reviewing your health information.

If prednisone is appropriate, the provider may prescribe it for pharmacy fulfillment. If it is not appropriate, they may recommend a different option or advise you to seek in-person or urgent care, depending on your symptoms.

No. Prednisone Tablets are not a rescue inhaler and should not replace fast-acting medicine prescribed for sudden asthma symptoms.

Use your rescue inhaler as directed by your provider. Seek urgent medical help if your breathing is severe, worsening, or not improving with your usual rescue treatment.

Do not stop, extend, or change your prednisone treatment unless your provider tells you to. The right dose and length of treatment depend on your condition and the provider’s instructions.

For some patients, especially after more than a few days of use, prednisone may need to be reduced gradually rather than stopped suddenly.

Yes. Prednisone can affect the immune system and may make certain infections harder to recognize or fight.

Tell the provider if you currently have an infection, were recently exposed to chickenpox or measles, have a history of tuberculosis, or recently received or plan to receive vaccines. This information can affect whether prednisone is appropriate.

The prescribing information does not give a specific alcohol rule. Still, alcohol may not be a good idea for some patients, especially if they have stomach irritation, ulcers, certain medications, or other health risks.

Prednisone Tablets - official prescribing information covering approved uses, dosage, contraindications, warnings, and safety information. / Source: DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine Link: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9fde9268-d5e8-4402-a429-df55f075861d / Updated: November 10, 2010