Question Title: Wanted to know more about the drug - Xepasone. Thanks!

I've frequent problems with my skin and head -- they are very itchy and when I scratch a bit there appears to be many small pieces of dry skin peeling off like snow flaks. There are rashes on my face, too. I took anti-histamine on a rotation basis (switching types/brands) but it seems to me that my body/skin does not respond to these once very effective drugs. Now my doc has no choice but to give me a steriod drug called "Xepasone" together with the use of U-triamcinolone-G cream. I want to know more about the pros and cons of these drug but I can find nothing in the internet. I don't know whether my question fits in here or not but I do want some advice from a third party. I know this sort drug CANNOT be used on a prolong basis but I can't live without it these days. What can I do? I can't addict to this drug.

Dear Norman,

You should talk things over with your doctor. Xepasone is another name for prednisolone, a steroid. People should not use steroids without a prescription and medical supervision. They should not be discontinued abruptly. Here's more from the reputable web site of the Royal College Hospital:

PREDNISOLONE

Corticosteroids are hormones produced in the body by the adrenal glands which are located above the kidneys). Prednisolone is a manufactured corticosteroid that can be taken in tablet form.

Corticosteroids help to maintain blood pressure and blood sugar levels. When we are ill or injured, the adrenal glands normally produce large amounts of corticosteroids as part of the so-called 'stress' response.

Treatment with high doses of prednisolone for more than 2-3 weeks can cause the adrenal glands of a healthy person to become much smaller, and their ability to respond during stress may be much reduced. A person whose adrenal glands do not function properly is not protected against the generalised effects of illness or injury and the blood pressure and/or blood sugar level may fall to critically low levels, endangering life.

The following guidelines should be observed.

1. A patient taking prednisolone for more than 4 - 6 weeks should wear an identification disc or bracelet (e.g. "Medicalert") carrying the words: "ON PREDNISOLONE: IN EMERGENCY GIVE HYDROCORTISONE"

2. Once prednisolone has been started the dose should not be altered unless advised by your doctor.

3. Always ensure that you have adequate supplies of the medication so that you do not run out of it.

4. Never stop the prednisolone without first consulting the child's usual doctor. Suddenly stopping the medications may leave your child unprotected against stress.

5. If your child is persistently vomiting or has severe diarrhoea, there is a danger that the tablets will not be absorbed from the stomach. You should immediately see a doctor and ask him/her to give the child an injection of hydrocortisone. A suitable dose would be about 2mg for every kilogram of the child's body weight. It is important for the injection to be given. Do not be put off.

6. Make sure that any doctor who sees your child knows that he/she is on prednisolone.

7. If your child for any reason requires a general anaesthetic, it is vital that before the anaesthetic is given, an injection of hydrocortisone should be given. This could save the child's life.

8. If there is worsening of the child's neurological condition the prednisolone dose may need to be increased. Contact the doctor to discuss this. Do not increase the dose without discussion.

L K Shield Director Department of Neurology RCH July 1995
Adapted from a document by G.L. Warne, Director, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes R C H February 1992

Good Luck!

DrSteve - http://www.drsteve.org

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