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Prednisone

Prednisone is a steroid medication that treats conditions like asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and adrenal, blood or bone marrow conditions. It decreases inflammation, slows an overactive immune system or replaces cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that helps your body respond to stress, injury and illness.

Common Brand Name(s): Deltasone, Fernisone, Meticorten, Orasone, Panasol, Pronax, Rayos, Sterapred

Common Generic Name(s): prednisone

Pronunciation: PRED-ni-sone

Drug Classes: corticosteroid

Availability: prescription only, generic available

How is it used? liquid or tablet that is swallowed

What is Prednisone?

PREDNISONE (PRED ni sone) treats many conditions such as asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, adrenal, and blood or bone marrow disorders. It works by decreasing inflammation, slowing down an overactive immune system, or replacing cortisol normally made in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that plays an important role in how the body responds to stress, illness, and injury. It belongs to a group of medications called steroids.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

How is prednisone supplied (dosage forms)?

Dosage forms and strengths

5 mg/5 mL and 5 mg/mL oral solution

1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg oral tablets

1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg delayed-release oral tablets

Warnings

Prednisone treats many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

You should avoid taking prednisone if you have a fungal infection that requires oral antifungals. Topical antifungals may not be an issue, but always let your doctor know what medicines you’re taking before starting this medicine.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using prednisone.

Call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath, severe pain in your upper stomach, bloody or tarry stools, severe depression, changes in personality or behavior, vision problems, or eye pain.

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

Before taking Prednisone?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Cushing's syndrome

Diabetes

Glaucoma

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Mental illness

Myasthenia gravis

Osteoporosis

Seizures

Stomach or intestine problems

Thyroid disease

An unusual or allergic reaction to lactose, prednisone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives

Pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Breast-feeding

How should I use Prednisone?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medication with food. If you are taking this medication once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take more medication than you are told to take. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication because you may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Dosages of Prednisone?

What’s the typical prednisone dosage for adults?

Prednisone is available as oral tablets that come in 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 50 mg doses. Prednisone also comes as an oral liquid (1 mg/mL).

There isn’t one “typical” prednisone dosage for adults. Recommended dosages are based on the condition being treated, a person’s symptoms, and other factors.

If you’re taking prednisone to treat an acute condition or illness, you’ll likely only need to take the medication for a few days or weeks. This is considered to be a short-term course. For chronic conditions, long-term use (30 days or longer) may be more appropriate

Short-term use

Short-term prednisone dosages typically range from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the severity of symptoms. It’s often taken once daily in the morning with food. Though, higher dosages may be split into 2 to 4 smaller doses taken throughout the day.

Prednisone can cause more intense side effects at higher dosages and shouldn’t be stopped abruptly — especially when taken for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Prescribers often recommend a tapering schedule for people who have taken the medication for at least 1 to 2 weeks. This is when a dosage is slowly lowered over time, usually a few days or weeks. Tapering helps prevent withdrawal symptoms, such as joint pain, dizziness, and upset stomach.

If you’re taking prednisone for just a few days, a taper likely won’t be necessary. You can safely stop taking it when your prescription runs out.

Long-term use

If your prescriber recommends taking prednisone for an extended period of time, you'll likely take a lower dosage than you would with short-term use. Prednisone is sometimes used on a long-term basis to treat chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, adrenal insufficiency, lupus, and more.

Long-term prednisone dosages generally range from 5 mg to 20 mg per day. Depending on your dosage, you may take one or several tablets at a time. If the time comes to stop long-term prednisone treatment, your prescriber will likely recommend a taper for safety purposes.

Another option for treatment is starting off with a relatively high dosage of prednisone and taking it for a few days or weeks. Then, you can work with your prescriber to taper your dosage down to the lowest effective dosage. Taking doses every other day is an option, too.

What is considered a high dosage of prednisone?

A high dosage of prednisone is generally considered to be 40 mg or more per day. High dosages of prednisone are often used for short periods, such as during an allergic reaction, to manage intense symptoms quickly.

What’s the typical prednisone dosage for children?

Prednisone dosages for children have just as much variability as adult dosages. Children’s prednisone dosages are carefully calculated by a healthcare professional and are largely based on body weight.

Short-term use

For short-term use, prednisone dosages in children typically range from 1 mg to 2 mg per kilogram of body weight daily. This means a child weighing 15 kg (33 lbs) would likely be prescribed 15 mg to 30 mg per day, depending on the condition being treated.

The calculated dose will likely be given 1 or 2 times daily. If your child can’t swallow pills yet, they can use the liquid version instead. The liquid is quite bitter, but you can ask your pharmacist about ways to make it more palatable.

Your child’s prescriber may or may not recommend a tapering schedule with short-term use. This will depend on your child’s situation.

Long-term use

Long-term prednisone use is generally avoided in children when possible. This is because prednisone, like other corticosteroids, has the potential to cause growth suppression (stunted growth) with long-term use.

Your child’s healthcare professional should monitor your child’s growth every 6 months if they need to take prednisone for an extended period of time.

Are any dosage adjustments needed for prednisone?

In some cases, prednisone dosage adjustments are made because of people’s age, symptoms, or medical conditions. These dosage adjustments are done to ensure the safe and effective use of prednisone.

Dosage adjustments for people with kidney or liver problems

Prednisone leaves your body through your kidneys. Kidney issues can affect how efficiently prednisone leaves your system as a result. What’s more, prednisone can cause fluid to build up in your body, which can be problematic if you have weaker kidney function.

If you have kidney problems, your prescriber might start you with a lower prednisone dosage and then increase it based on how your body responds. However, this may not be necessary, especially if your kidney impairment is relatively mild.

Your liver is in charge of metabolizing prednisone. Your prescriber may start you with a lower prednisone dosage if you have select liver problems. This is done on a case-by-case basis to prevent side effects.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, talk to your care team. You may need to miss a dose or take an extra dose. Do not take double or extra doses without advice.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

Taking too much prednisone can cause new or worsening side effects, such as:

Tiredness or weakness

Nervousness

Stomach upset

Heart rhythm changes

Increased blood pressure

Lower leg swelling

Confusion or hallucinations

Hearing changes

Mood changes

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you're experiencing side effects that feel severe or life-threatening.

An overdose of prednisone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What may interact with Prednisone?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

Metyrapone

Mifepristone

This medication may also interact with the following:

Aminoglutethimide

Amphotericin B

Aspirin and aspirin-like medications

Barbiturates

Certain medications for diabetes, like glipizide or glyburide

Cholestyramine

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Cyclosporine

Digoxin

Diuretics

Ephedrine

Female hormones, like estrogens and birth control pills

Isoniazid

Ketoconazole

NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

Phenytoin

Rifampin

Toxoids

Vaccines

Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I avoid while using Prednisone?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. If you are taking this medication over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medication, and your care team's name and address.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Tell your care team if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your care team that you have taken this medication within the last twelve months.

Ask your care team about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

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

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using this medicine. Prednisone may increase your risk of harmful effects from a live vaccine. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), one type of the typhoid vaccine and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking prednisone.

Side effects if Prednisone?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Cushing syndrome—increased fat around the midsection, upper back, neck, or face, pink or purple stretch marks on the skin, thinning, fragile skin that easily bruises, unexpected hair growth

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision

Increase in blood pressure

Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell

Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness

Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression

Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds

Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Acne

General discomfort and fatigue

Headache

Increase in appetite

Nausea

Trouble sleeping

Weight gain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Where should I keep Prednisone?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Prednisone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light and moisture. The concentrated solution should be thrown away 90 days after the bottle has been opened.

One Final Note..

Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid that treats a variety of health conditions, ranging from allergies and eczema to autoimmune disorders. Prednisone dosages vary depending on the condition being treated and how severe your symptoms are.

Prednisone dosages for adults typically range from 5 mg to 60 mg per day. Prednisone is available in oral tablet and liquid forms. Lower dosages are typically taken once daily with food, but higher dosages may be split into 2 to 4 smaller doses throughout the day. Children’s prednisone dosages are based on body weight.

Prednisone tapers are often recommended for people who are taking high dosages of prednisone or need it for longer than 1 to 2 weeks. Your prescriber will tell you if and when you should slowly lower your prednisone dosage with a taper.

Prednisone is widely available as a lower-cost generic.

Prednisone is a prescription-only medication that comes in oral tablet and liquid forms. Prednisone dosages vary based on the condition being treated and whether it’s being taken on a long- or short-term basis. Your age and symptoms — as well as any underlying health conditions, such as kidney problems, you might have — can also affect your prednisone dosage.

Always follow your prescriber’s instructions for how to take prednisone. If you have questions or concerns about your prednisone dosage, contact your prescriber or pharmacist for clarification.

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Most recent revision May 08, 2026 01:01:05 AM

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