Prednisolone is a steroid that damps down inflammation and the immune system. Short courses are used constantly and safely — for asthma flares, gout, and inflammatory conditions. Longer courses need more care, mainly because the body stops making its own steroid while you take it.
Asthma and COPD flare-ups, allergic reactions, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, some skin conditions, and many other inflammatory and autoimmune problems.
Take the whole daily dose in the morning with or just after food. Morning dosing matches the body’s own rhythm and reduces the effect on sleep.
Gastro-resistant tablets must be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed.
Finish short courses as prescribed. For a course longer than about three weeks, or repeated courses, the dose must be reduced gradually rather than stopped — your prescriber will give you a plan.
If you take steroids for more than a few weeks you should have a steroid treatment card. Carry it, and show it to any healthcare professional treating you — including in an emergency, and at the dentist.
If you become ill, have an accident or need surgery while on longer-term steroids, tell whoever is treating you, as the dose may need increasing temporarily.
Short courses commonly cause: increased appetite, indigestion, difficulty sleeping, mood changes and restlessness, and a raised blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Longer courses can additionally cause weight gain, thinning skin and easier bruising, raised blood pressure, bone thinning, cataracts and increased infection risk. These are the reason long-term steroids are prescribed at the lowest workable dose and reviewed.
Tell your doctor promptly about severe stomach pain, black stools, marked mood change, blurred vision, or signs of infection — steroids can mask a fever.
Chickenpox and measles are more serious in people taking steroids. If you have not had chickenpox and are exposed to it while taking prednisolone, seek medical advice the same day.
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