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Prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, Liquid Pred)

Category:

  • Miscellaneous

Description:

  • Corticosteroid (systemic)

Indications:

  • Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant agent in the treatment of a variety of diseases including those of hematologic, allergic, inflammatory, neoplastic, and autoimmune origin

Contraindications:

  • Systemic fungal infections

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; compatible with breast feeding

  • Psychosis, acute glomerulonephritis, amebiasis, cerebral malaria, child < 2 years

  • Elderly, AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, osteoporosis

  • Ulcerative colitis, CHF, myasthenia gravis, renal disease, esophagitis

  • Peptic ulcer, ocular herpes simplex, live virus vaccines, hypertension

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: depression, headache, mood changes, psychosis, seizures, vertigo

  • CV: CHF, hypertension, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis

  • EENT: blurred vision, cataracts, increased intraocular pressure

  • GI: abdominal distension, diarrhea, GI hemorrhage (esophagitis, peptic ulcer) increased appetite, nausea, pancreatitis

  • HEME: leukocytosis

  • METAB: Cushingoid syndrome, decreased glucose tolerance, decreased testosterone levels, growth suppression in children, HPA axis suppression, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, sodium and fluid retention

  • MS: aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, fractures, muscle mass loss, osteoporosis, weakness

  • SKIN: acne, bruising, ecchymosis, petechiae, poor wound healing, striae, suppression of skin test reactions, thin fragile skin

Dosage:

Administered orally (tablet, solution)

  • Adult:   PO 50-60mg daily divided 1-4 times daily

    • Physiologic replacement: PO 4-5mg per square meter daily

    • Hepatic disease: Conversion to active metabolite, prednisolone, may be impaired; use prednisolone at same dosage

  • Child:   

    • Anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive: PO 0.05-2 mg/kg/day divided 1-4 times

    • Acute asthma: PO I-2 mg/kg/day divided 1-2 times daily for 3-5 days

    • Asthma, long-term therapy: PO <1 year 10mg every other day, 1-4 years 20mg every other day, 5-13 years 30mg every other day, >13 years 40mg every other day

Drug interactions:

  • NSAIDs: increased risk of GI ulceration

  • Antidiabetics: increased blood glucose in patients with diabetes

  • Salicylates: enhanced elimination of salicylates; possible subtherapeutic salicylate concentrations

  • Cyclosporine: possible increased concentrations of both drugs, seizures

 


The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates.  The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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