uses

What is Prednisone (Deltasone) used for?

Allergic Reaction
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Aspiration Pneumonia
Asthma -- Acute
Asthma -- Maintenance
Bursitis
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
Idiopathic (Immune) Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Loeffler's Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Ulcerative Colitis -- Active
Uveitis
Anemia
Iritis
Optic Neuritis
Gouty Arthritis
Hemolytic Anemia
Anti-inflammatory
G-6-PD Deficiency
Immunosuppression
Neoplastic Diseases
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Collagen Vascular Disease
Adrenocortical Insufficiency
Thalassemia
Corneal Ulcers
Keratitis
Visual Defect/Disturbance
Sickle Cell Anemia
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Infectious Posterior Uveitis
Hemoglobinopathy
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Herpes Simplex Iridocyclitis
Herpes Zoster Iridocyclitis
Autoimmune Disorder
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Infectious Anterior Uveitis
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Pemphigus
Felty's Syndrome
Psoriatic Arthropathy
Rheumatoid Lung
Syphilitic Uveitis
Uveitis (Anterior)
Panuveitis
Uveitis (Posterior)
Mycosis Fungoides
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Epicondylitis
Iridocyclitis
Chorioretinitis
Choroiditis
Berylliosis
Synovitis
Thrombocythemia
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Serum Sickness
Erythema Multiforme

warnings

What is the most important information I should know about Prednisone (Deltasone)?

You should not use prednisone if you are allergic to it, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you've had within the past several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart problems, high blood pressure, or a heart attack;
glaucoma or cataracts;
herpes infection of the eyes;
past or present tuberculosis;
a parasite infection that causes diarrhea (such as threadworms);
any illness that causes diarrhea;
underactive thyroid;
diabetes;
a stomach ulcer, diverticulitis;
a colostomy or ileostomy;
osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (steroid medication can increase your risk of bone loss);
low levels of calcium or potassium in your blood;
cirrhosis or other liver disease;
mental illness or psychosis; or
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke or drink alcohol, if you do not exercise, or if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using prednisone.

Side Effects

What are the side effects of Prednisone (Deltasone)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

muscle pain or weakness;
blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
severe depression, changes in personality, unusual thoughts or behavior;
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
irregular heartbeats;
severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;
decreased adrenal gland hormones--muscle weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, nausea, menstrual changes, skin discoloration, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed; or
low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Prednisone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects may include:

weight gain (especially in your face or your upper back and torso);
increased appetite;
mood changes, trouble sleeping;
changes in your menstrual periods;
problems with memory or thought;
muscle or joint pain;
weakness;
headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
nausea, bloating, loss of appetite;
slow wound healing; or
acne, increased sweating, thinning skin, bruising, pinpoint spots under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Prednisone (Deltasone)?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using prednisone. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Dosage Guidelines & Tips

How to take Prednisone (Deltasone)?

Use Prednisone (Deltasone) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Prednisone is taken daily or every other day, depending on the condition being treated. You may need to take the medicine at a certain time of day. Follow your doctor's instructions about when and how often to take this medicine.

Take with food if prednisone upsets your stomach.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Swallow the delayed-release tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Prednisone can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection more easily. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection (fever, weakness, cold or flu symptoms, skin sores, diarrhea, frequent or recurring illness).

If you have major surgery or a severe injury or infection, your prednisone dose needs may change. Make sure any doctor caring for you knows you are using this medicine.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need medical tests and vision exams.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use a steroid.

You should not stop using prednisone suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Prednisone (Deltasone)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose Signs

What happens if I overdose on Prednisone (Deltasone)?

High doses or long-term use of prednisone can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on: Prednisone (Deltasone), call your doctor or the Poison Control center

(800) 222-1222

If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Prednisone (Deltasone), call 911

911

What to Expect

Prednisone usually works quickly, within one to two hours. The extended-release tablets begin working in about six hours.

Prednisone stops its therapeutic effects soon after you discontinue using it. But if you’ve been taking prednisone for a long time, some side effects from the medication may last for a while after you’ve stopped the medicine.

You may need to take prednisone for only a few days. In some cases, you’ll need to use the medicine for an extended period of time, or maybe even for the rest of your life.

If you’re taking prednisone for a long time and need to stop treatment, you might have to taper off slowly.