pred·ni·sone (pr d n -s n ,-zn)n. A synthetic steroid similar to cortisone that is used as an antiallergic, immunosuppressive, and anticancer drug and as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. |
Prednisone
predniSONE
prednisone [pred´nĭ-sōn]
prednisone (pred´nisōn),
drug class: intermediate-acting glucocorticoid;
action: decreases inflammation by suppressing macrophage and leukocyte migration, reduces capillary permeability and inhibits lysosomal enzymes and phagocytosis;
uses: severe inflammation, immunosuppression, neoplasms, multiple sclerosis, collagen disorders, dermatologic disorders.
prednisone
Apo-Prednisone (CA), Deltasone, Winpred (CA)
Pharmacologic class: Corticosteroid (intermediate acting)
Therapeutic class: Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant
Pregnancy risk category C
Action
Decreases inflammation by reversing increased cell capillary permeability and inhibiting migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Suppresses immune system by reducing lymphatic activity.
Availability
Oral solution: 5 mg/ml, 5 mg/5 ml
Syrup: 5 mg/5 ml
Tablets: 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg
⊘Indications and dosages
➣ Severe inflammation; immunosuppression
Adults: Dosage individualized based on diagnosis, severity of condition, and response. Usual dosage is 5 to 60 mg P.O. daily as a single dose or in divided doses.
➣ Acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis
Adults: 200 mg P.O. daily for 1 week, then 80 mg every other day for 1 month
➣ Adjunctive therapy for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in AIDS patients
Adults: 40 mg P.O. b.i.d. for 5 days, then 40 mg once daily for 5 days, then 20 mg once daily for 11 days
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug, other corticosteroids, alcohol, bisulfite, or tartrazine (with some products)
• Systemic fungal infections
• Live-virus vaccines (with immunosuppressant doses)
• Active untreated infections (except in selected meningitis patients)
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, renal or hepatic disease, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, diverticulitis, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, recent intestinal anastomoses, inflammatory bowel disease, thromboembolic disorders, seizures, myasthenia gravis, heart failure, hypertension, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, ocular herpes simplex, immunosuppression, emotional instability
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children under age 6.
Administration
• Give with food or milk to reduce GI upset.
• Administer once-daily dose early in morning.
| Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| P.O. | Unknown | 1-2 hr | 1.25-1.5 days |
Adverse reactions
CNS: headache, nervousness, depression, euphoria, personality changes, psychosis, vertigo, paresthesia, insomnia, restlessness, seizures, meningitis, increased intracranial pressure
CV: hypotension, hypertension, vasculitis, heart failure, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, fat embolism, arrhythmias, shock
EENT: posterior subcapsular cataracts (especially in children), glaucoma, nasal irritation and congestion, rebound congestion, sneezing, epistaxis, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal fungal infections, perforated nasal septum, anosmia, dysphonia, hoarseness, throat irritation (all with long-term use)
GI: nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, rectal bleeding, esophageal candidiasis, dry mouth, esophageal ulcer, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer
GU: amenorrhea, irregular menses
Hematologic: purpura
Metabolic: sodium and fluid retention, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, diabetes mellitus, growth retardation (in children), cushingoid effects (with long-term use), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal suppression (with systemic use longer than 5 days), adrenal suppression (with high-dose, long-term use)
Musculoskeletal: muscle weakness or atrophy, myalgia, myopathy, osteoporosis, aseptic joint necrosis, spontaneous fractures (with long-term use), osteonecrosis, tendon rupture
Respiratory: cough, wheezing, bronchospasm
Skin: rash, pruritus, contact dermatitis, acne, striae, poor wound healing, hirsutism, thin fragile skin, petechiae, bruising, subcutaneous fat atrophy, urticaria, angioedema
Other: bad taste, increased or decreased appetite, weight gain (with long-term use), facial edema, aggravation or masking of infections, hypersensitivity reaction
Interactions
Drug-drug. Amphotericin B, mezlocillin, piperacillin, thiazide and loop diuretics, ticarcillin: additive hypokalemia
Aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: increased risk of GI discomfort and bleeding
Cardiac glycosides: increased risk of digitalis toxicity due to hypokalemia
Cyclosporine: therapeutic benefits in organ transplant recipients, but with increased risk of toxicity
Erythromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir: increased prednisone blood level and effects
Hormonal contraceptives: impaired metabolism and increased effects of prednisone
Isoniazid: decreased isoniazid blood level
Live-virus vaccines: decreased antibody response to vaccine, increase risk of adverse effects
Oral anticoagulants: reduced anticoagulant requirements, opposition to anticoagulant action
Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin: decreased prednisone efficacy
Salicylates: reduced salicylate blood level
Somatrem: inhibition of somatrem's growth-promoting effects
Theophylline: altered pharmacologic effects of either drug
Drug-diagnostic tests. Calcium, potassium, thyroid 131I uptake, thyroxine, triiodothyronine: decreased levels
Cholesterol, glucose: increased levels
Nitroblue tetrazolium test for bacterial infection: false-negative result
Drug-herbs. Alfalfa: activation of quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus
Echinacea: increased immune-stimulating effects
Ephedra (ma huang): decreased drug blood level
Ginseng: potentiation of immunomodulating effect
Licorice: prolonged drug activity
Drug-behaviors. Alcohol use: increased risk of gastric irritation and GI ulcers
Patient monitoring
• Monitor weight, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels.
• Watch for cushingoid effects (moon face, central obesity, buffalo hump, hair thinning, high blood pressure, frequent infections).
☞ Check for signs and symptoms of depression and psychosis.
• Assess blood glucose level carefully in diabetic patient.
• Monitor patient for signs and symptoms of infection, which drug may mask or exacerbate.
☞ Assess for early indications of adrenal insufficiency (fatigue, weakness, joint pain, fever, appetite loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, syncope).
• Monitor musculoskeletal status for joint, tendon, and muscle pain.
Patient teaching
• Tell patient to take with food or milk to reduce GI upset.
☞ Teach patient to recognize and immediately report signs and symptoms of early adrenal insufficiency and cushingoid effects.
☞ Inform patient that drug increases his risk of infection. Instruct him to contact prescriber at first sign of infection.
☞ Caution patient not to stop drug suddenly. Advise him to discuss any changes in therapy with prescriber.
☞ Tell patient to immediately report bleeding or joint, muscle, tendon, or abdominal pain.
☞ Advise patient or significant other to immediately report depression or psychosis.
• Caution patient not to take herbs or over-the-counter drugs during therapy.
• Instruct patient to avoid vaccinations during therapy. Tell him that others in household shouldn't receive oral polio vaccine because they could pass poliovirus to him.
• Tell patient he may need higher dosage during periods of stress. Encourage him to wear or carry medical identification stating this.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.
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