When should Prednisone start working?

Hi.. I was given prednisone for an allergic reaction to penicillin. My body broke out in spreading itching hives since Saturday. I started taking the Prednisone Monday afternoon along with benadryl since Sunday. At least 2-3 doses a day of benadryl. I'm taking 20mg of prednisone twice a day. I've taken 3 doses so far and it seems as if it works for a little bit but last night before bed, my hives were RED again and itching same as this morning they are itching like crazy.

Should the prednisone be working by now? Or am I just being inpatient?

Thanks all!!!!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
I can understand your impatience as itches can be really troublesome. Generally it takes 4-5 half lives before a drug develops a threshold level in blood to give best results. Prednisone has a half life of several hours and is converted to its active form prednisolone in the body. You should start getting the results from third day onwards. If the symptoms worsen in between and if you see no change in symptoms after 3 days please consult your doctor again.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[PattiParnell]

I have the hives that effect my face/ears/mouth and head the most but also all over.  I am taking 30 mg on second round of predinisone.  Originally had the shot... symptoms came back once the prednisone worked out of my system, then one round of 30 mg prednisone for 5 days... symptoms came back... on second round of predenisone while I am still taking fexofenadine and benadryl.  We are not sure what started the reaction but I am scheduled to see an allergist.  As far as I know, other than itching spells... I am not aware that I am highly allergic but for some reason now I seem to be allergic to a lot of things.  or atleast sensitvie to many things.  We think my BP medicines started the chain reaction.  any help would be appreciated.