Deltasone

Prednisolone should be used for:

The treatment of a certain kinds of the allergies, arthritis, breathing issues (e.g. asthma), certain blood disorders, collagen diseases (e.g. lupus), certain eye diseases (e.g. keratitis), cancer (e.g. leukemia), endocrine problems (e.g. adrenocortical insufficiency), intestinal problems (e.g. ulcerative colitis), swelling due to certain conditions, or skin conditions (e.g. psoriasis). It is also possible to use it against the other issues or for the other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid in its nature. It works by modifying the body's immunity response to various conditions, also decreasing inflammation.

Prednisolone shouldn’t be used if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Prednisolone
• you have a systemic fungal infection, a certain type of malaria, inflammation of the optic nerve, or herpes infection of the eye
• you are scheduled to have a live or attenuated live vaccination (e.g. smallpox)
• you are taking mifepristone

Contact your physician right away if any of these applicable to you.

Prior to using Prednisolone:

There is a possibility for certain medical conditions to interact with Prednisolone. Let your doctor know if you have any significant medical conditions, and especially if they are listed below:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems (e.g. congestive heart failure), heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, diabetes, seizures, an underactive thyroid, adrenal gland problems, or any mental or mood problems
• if you currently have or have recently had a fungal, bacterial, viral, or other type of infection; herpes infection of the eye; chickenpox; measles; or shingles
• if you have HIV infection, tuberculosis (TB) infection, or if you have ever had a positive TB skin test
• if you have any stomach problems (e.g. ulcers), intestinal problems (e.g. blockage, perforation, or infection; unexplained diarrhea; diverticulitis; ulcerative colitis), recent intestinal surgery, or inflammation of the esophagus
• if you have weak bones (e.g. osteoporosis) or muscle problems (e.g. myasthenia gravis)
• if you have had a recent vaccination (e.g. smallpox)

It is also possible for some drugs to interact with Prednisolone. You should inform your health care provider if you are using any other medicines, especially if they are listed below:

• Barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital), carbamazepine, ephedrine, hydantoins (e.g. phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Prednisolone 's effectiveness
• Clarithromycin, cyclosporine, estrogens (e.g. estradiol), oral contraceptives (e.g. birth control pills), or ketoconazole because they may increase the risk of Prednisolone 's side effects
• Anticholinesterases (e.g. pyridostigmine), aspirin, methotrexate, mifepristone, ritodrine, water pills (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), or live or attenuated live vaccines because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Prednisolone
• Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) or killed or inactivated vaccines because their effectiveness may be decreased by Prednisolone

This list of all interactions is not all-inclusive, so other interactions are possible. Inquire with your health care provider whether Prednisolone may interact with other medicines that you are taking. You should always consult with your health care provider prior to taking up, giving up, or altering the dosage of any medicine.

How Prednisolone should be used:

Prednisolone should be used as directed by your physician. You should always check the label on the medicine to find out the exact dosage information.

• Take Prednisolone orally with food.
• If you missed a dose of Prednisolone and you are supposed to be taking only 1 dose daily, take missed doze as soon as possible. If you forgot about it until the next day, you should then skip the missed dose and revert to your regular dosage schedule, thereby only take a single doze on that day. You should never take 2 doses at once.

Please refer to your health care provider with any questions you might have about Prednisolone usage.

Important safety information:

• Prednisolone may lower your body’s ability to resist infection. You should avoid contact with people who might have colds or infections. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of infections including but not limited to fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• If you have never had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, you should avoid contact with anyone who has any of these.
• If you are taking Prednisolone regularly during prolonged period of time, you need to carry an ID card on you saying that you are taking Prednisolone at all times.
• You shouldn’t receive any live vaccine (e.g. measles, mumps) during the treatment course with Prednisolone. Consult with your doctor prior to receiving any vaccine.
• Your doctor and dentist should be informed that you are taking Prednisolone prior to providing any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Prednisolone usage may affect blood sugar. Patients that have diabetes should monitor blood sugar levels closely. Consult with your doctor prior to changing the dosage of your diabetes medicine.
• Certain lab tests, including adrenal function tests, might be necessary during your treatment course with Prednisolone. They may be used to monitor your progress or check for the side effects. Make sure that you keep all appointments with your doctor and the lab appointments.
• It is advised to be especially cautios when using Prednisolone for treating children; they are generally more sensitive to its effects.
• Corticosteroids have a chance of affecting children growth rate and also that of teenagers in some cases. It is possible that they will need regular growth checks during the treatment course with Prednisolone.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: if you get pregnant, you should contact your doctor right away. You will then need to discuss the pros and cons of using Prednisolone during the pregnancy. Prednisolone will be present in your breast milk during the treatment course. If you are or planning to be be breast-feeding during the treatment course , you should consult with your doctor to discuss the possible risks to which your baby will be exposed.

If it happens that you are on the long-term or high dosage therapy and suddenly stopping the treatment course, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms: fever, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, weight loss, weakness, general body discomfort, joint or muscle pain.

Potential side effects when taking Prednisolone :

All drugs might trigger certain side effects, yet many people only experience minor ones or none at all. You should definitely consult with your doctor if any of the following most common side effects persist or are becoming bothersome:

Acne; clumsiness; dizziness; facial flushing; feeling of a whirling motion; general body discomfort; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; upset stomach.

You should turn to medical care right away if any of the following severe side effects show themselves:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in body fat; changes in menstrual period; changes of skin color; chest pains; easy bruising or bleeding; infections (e.g. fever, chills, sore throat); mental or mood changes (e.g. depression); muscle pain, weakness, or wasting; seizures; severe nausea or vomiting; sudden severe dizziness or headache; swelling of feet or legs; tendon or bone pain; thinning of skin; unusual skin sensation; unusual weight gain; vision changes or other eye problems; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.