prednisone

If you are taking this medication daily and miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you are taking this medication every other day or on another schedule besides a daily one, and you miss a dose.

Take this medication by mouth with food to prevent stomach upset. Measure the prescribed dose carefully using the dropper or device that comes with your prescription. You may mix the dose in juice or applesauce before taking it. If you are prescribed only one dose per day, take it in the morning before 9 A.M. If you are taking this medication every other day or on another schedule besides a daily one, it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: aldesleukin, natalizumab. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting prednisone. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: large doses of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (salicylates), birth control pills, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), estrogens, mifepristone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen), drugs which decrease blood potassium levels (e.g., amphotericin B, "water pills" such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide), drugs which affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors and inducers such as azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycins, certain anti-seizure medications). Do not have any vaccinations, immunizations or skin tests while you are using this drug unless specifically directed by your doctor. Live vaccines may cause serious complications (e.g., infection) if given while you are taking this medication. Consult your doctor for details. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood mineral levels, blood/urine glucose, complete blood count, weight, blood pressure, eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. If you take prednisone for long-term treatment, wear or carry identification stating that you are using it.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before taking prednisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: untreated active fungal infections. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, history of blood clots, bone loss (osteoporosis), diabetes, eye diseases (e.g., ocular herpes infection, cataracts, glaucoma), heart problems (congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, kidney disease, mental/mood conditions, other infections (e.g., tuberculosis, threadworm), severe liver disease (cirrhosis), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcer, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis), thyroid problems. Make sure your doctors know that you are taking this medication or have used it in the past. This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious (rarely fatal) infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/fever/cough, pain during urination, muscle aches) that occur during treatment. If your body is under severe stress due to major infection, surgery, or injury, your dose may need to be adjusted upward if you are using a very low dose of prednisone for a long time. Your body may not be able to make enough natural steroids. If you have stopped taking this drug within the past 12 months, consult your doctor. You may need to start taking it again if your body is under severe stress. Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur when your body is under severe stress: unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, dizziness. Tell your doctor if you are scheduling surgery. Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication. If you are exposed to these infections, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Alcohol may increase the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding. If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood (or urine) glucose level frequently, as directed by your doctor. Promptly report any abnormal results as directed. Your medicine, exercise plan, or diet may need to be adjusted. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent bone loss. Caution is advised when using this drug in children. It may slow down a child's growth rate if given for prolonged periods. Monitor your child's height and growth rate regularly. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have been rare reports of harm to an unborn baby when it is used during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: black stools, bone pain (fracture), "coffee-ground" vomit, easy bruising/bleeding, heartburn, increased thirst and urination, irregular/fast/pounding heartbeat, menstrual period changes, mental/mood changes, muscle weakness/pain, persistent weight gain, puffy face, seizures, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), slow-healing wounds, stomach/abdominal pain, swelling of the feet/ankles, thinning skin, trouble breathing, unusual hair growth, unusual skin growths, vision changes. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.