How it Works

Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. It also suppresses the immune system. Prednisone is used as an anti-inflammatory or an immunosuppressant medication. In addition to multiple myeloma, prednisone treats many conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

How it’s Administered

Each tablet, for oral administration, contains 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of prednisone.

Take prednisone with food. Your dosage needs may change if you have any unusual stress, such as a serious illness, fever, or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice. 

Do not crush, chew, or break a delayed-release tablet. Swallow it whole. 

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office. Your blood pressure may also need to be checked.

The initial dosage of prednisone may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity, higher initial doses may be required in selected patients. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response after a reasonable period, prednisone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy.

Dose requirements are variable and will be individualized based on the disease under treatment and the response of the patient. 

Who Should Take Prednisone

Prednisone is currently approved for:

• Multiple myeloma patients (prednisone is commonly used in countries outside of the US while dexamethasone is typically used in the United States) 
• Endocrine Disorders
• Rheumatic Disorders
• Collagen Diseases
• Dermatologic Diseases
• Allergic States
• Ophthalmic Diseases
• Respiratory Diseases
• Hematologic Disorders
• Neoplastic Diseases

Who Shouldn’t Take Prednisone

• Any patient with hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation
• Any patient with concurrent administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines
• If you currently have any systemic fungal infection 
• If you have osteoporosis 
• If you have uncontrolled hyperglycemia 
• If you have diabetes mellitus, glaucoma
• If you have a joint infection 
• If you have uncontrolled hypertension 
• Additional relative contraindications include peptic ulcer disease, congestive heart failure, and viral or bacterial infections not controlled by anti-infectives

Most Common Side Effects of Taking Prednisone

• Skin rash
•  Itching
• Hives
• Swelling of your lips, face, or tongue
• Mood changes
• Depression
• Eye pain
• Vision changes
• Fever, cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty urinating 
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Confusion
• Swelling of the ankles and feet

Commonly Used With 

• Revlimid
• Melphalan
• Thalomid
• Bendamustine
• Bortezomib
• Carfilzomib
• Melphalan
• Isatuximab
• Cyclophosphamide
• Oprozomib
• Pomalidomide

Currently Being Tested With Prednisone

• Immunomodulators (IMiDs): Revlimid
• Alkylating Agents: Bendamustine, Cyclophosphamide
• Proteasome Inhibitors: Bortezomib, Isatuximab, Oprozomib

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