6 Precautions To Be Aware Of Before Taking Prednisone

Prednisone is one of the most widely used drugs in the world and has been used to treat countless disorders and diseases, mostly due to its role in regulating the immune response in the human body and its anti-inflammatory effects. However, there's a lot about the drug that most people who are taking it don't know, and for good reason, as it can have a wide range of risks associated with it. 

The Proper Dosage

The dosage of every drug you take is incredibly important, but this is even more true for a drug like Prednisone since it affects every tissue and organ in your body. This drug should be taken carefully and can have major complications if you take too much of it or can fail to have any impact at all if you're not having enough. The only person who can provide a safe and viable dosage is your doctor, and this will only be possible if they know your entire medical history and how careful they must be to manage your symptoms. If you've been given a specific dosage, make sure you stick to it, and if you haven't, make sure you consult a doctor before starting your medicine.  

Side Effects

The common side effects of Prednisone vary both in their impact and how long they last, but luckily for whoever's taking it, they've been well documented. However, since Prednisone works on every part of your body, the side effects can range from any location or system in your body, too. The minor side effects include things like increased appetite, mood changes, insomnia, and hypertension, while the more troubling ones include edemas, cataracts, hyperglycemia, and a weak immune system. However, they can be managed well if you're able to coordinate with your doctor. 

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions are a concept that most people are unfamiliar with, but one you should be aware of if you take multiple medications, especially Prednisone. This is because drugs, when taken together, can supplement each other, or "interact", to create a powerful effect on the body that can be beneficial or, more commonly, negative. These effects can range from drugs canceling each other out, reducing their overall impact on the body and not being able to counter diseases, to more serious side effects that can be fatal. However, being aware of these interactions can help you prevent these issues from occurring for yourself.  

Increased Risk for Infection

Most patients who take Prednisone are at an increased risk for infection, especially serious ones, which is why, if you’re taking this drug, you should be aware of this risk and take steps to mitigate it. Prednisone works by copying the effects of a hormone released in the body called cortisol which impacts the immune system and causes it to become weaker. This helps counter inflammation but also results in more frequent infections that can be stronger and last longer than usual. If you’re taking this drug, you’ll have to pay extra attention to sanitation and avoiding pathogens. 

Contraindications

Contraindications refer to symptoms or diseases that are present in some patients that prevent the use of Prednisone, which means that if these patients take this drug, they'll face severe consequences in the form of side effects that can potentially be fatal. If you're interested in using this drug, you should be aware of these contraindications, with the biggest one being AIDS, because, in this condition, the immune system is already compromised, so taking Prednisone will only make it worse. 

Tapering Off 

Doctors, when prescribing this drug, make sure to give patients a full picture of what their treatment will look like, including the day they'll be able to stop using it. In this case, you'll have to slowly taper the drug off by reducing its dosage every month or few months, and this precaution is vital so that your body has time to adapt and restore the immune system and so that doctors can monitor whether your disease is relapsing while you're ending treatment.

Conclusion

When you've been prescribed a drug, it's important to be aware of the various effects it has on your body and the side effects it can display. Prednisone is no different and may have even more side effects than most drugs, which is why you need to approach it with caution and be aware of the different risks it presents. Luckily, using the information in this article, you’ll be able to continue with your treatment while avoiding or worrying about any complications.