Prednisone
Trade Names:
Apo-Prednisone, Orasone, Deltasone, Prednisone
Type of Drug:
Prednisone is a glucocorticoid steroid used to treat anorexia and cachexia and some cancers. It is similar to a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands in the body.
How Drug Works:
Prednisone decreases inflammation by preventing white blood cells from completing an inflammatory reaction. This drug can cause lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to break apart and die. Thus it is an important drug used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to treat many different cancers.
How Drug Is Given:
Prednisone is given as a pill or liquid by mouth with food. If you are taking it once a day, take it with breakfast. If you are taking it 2 to 4 times a day, try to make sure it is evenly spaced out, and that you take it with milk or food at about the same time every day. Make sure to shake the liquid form before pouring the dose. If you have taken prednisone for a long time and your doctor has told you to stop now, make sure to taper it or stop it gradually. The dose depends on your weight and the reason you are taking it. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you. This drug can be given at different strengths depending on the type of cancer being treated. Dosage may vary depending on your weight and your type of cancer.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives ("the pill") without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

  • If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine"prescription or nonprescription"without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
While you are being treated with prednisone, and after you stop treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's okay. Try to avoid contact with people who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine. Check with your doctor about this.
If you have a stomach ulcer, you may not be able to take this drug, or may need extra medicines to protect your stomach. Check with your doctor about this. When you take this drug, if you develop stomach pain or vomit any blood, tell your doctor immediately.
This drug may suppress the immune system and increase your susceptibility to infections. In addition, the drug may mask the signs of infection such as fever.
The dose and number of days you should take the medicine will be prescribed by your doctor and depends upon whether you are being treated for anorexia or cancer.
If you take prednisone for a long time, do not stop the medicine abruptly, as this can cause a decrease in the adrenalin your body makes (adrenal insufficiency). Symptoms of this are nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, joint pain, depression, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure.
If you are a diabetic, this medicine will increase your blood sugar levels and you may need to take extra diabetes medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Mood changes
  • Depression
  • Increased blood sugar
  • Increased appetite with weight gain
  • Bruising of the skin
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Increased risk of infection
  • Sodium and fluid retention with swelling in ankles, increased blood pressure, and congestive heart failure
Less Common Side Effects
  • Decrease in potassium blood level (symptoms are loss of appetite, muscle twitching, increased thirst, and increased urination)
  • Weakness
  • Fracture of weak bones
  • Fungal infections (white patches in the mouth, vagina)
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Increased heart rate
  • Loss of calcium from bones
Rare Side Effects
  • Cataracts
  • Personality changes
  • Blurred vision
  • Stomach ulcer that may bleed (hemorrhage)
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop any of the following: stomach pain or vomiting of blood; signs of infection such as fever, bad cough with sputum, burning when you pass your urine, or sore throat.

With prolonged use, the following changes may occur: round face, acne, abnormal hair growth on face, and purple spots on skin.

Report any changes or new problems to your doctor or nurse.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.