Prednisolone refers to a broad-spectrum drug. This medicine is prescribed for patients suffering from inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis. It is also frequently prescribed in asthma.
The composition and pharmaceutical form
This medication belongs to the group of glucocorticoid hormones. The effect on the patient’s body is similar to that of hydrocortisone. At the same time, it is several times as active as this popular preparation.
This drug can be produced in the form of:
- tablets;
- solutions for intravenous and intramuscular administration;
- ointment for external use;
- eye drops.
Indications for use
In addition to bronchial asthma, this means can be used for the treatment of asthmatic status. In both these cases, the medication is very effective. But asthma, as already mentioned, is not the only disease in which Prednisone is prescribed. This drug is also used if the patient has, for example, problems such as:
- acute and chronic allergies;
- inflammatory diseases of the joints;
- skin diseases: eczema, dermatitis, etc .; swelling of the brain;
- eye inflammation;
- adrenal insufficiency;
- diseases of the blood;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- tuberculous meningitis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- lung cancer;
- hepatitis;
- ulcerative colitis, etc.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of this medication may be, for example, with long-term treatment:
- osteoporosis;
- stomach ulcer;
- diabetes;
- all sorts of psychosis;
- polio;
- AIDS;
- Cushing’s syndrome;
- severe hypertension.
If a patient has problems such as acute renal or hepatic impairment, this medication should be used for bronchial asthma strictly under physician supervision.
The drug is taken with caution, only in the most extreme cases, when there is an urgent need, it can also be prescribed for:
- pregnant women in the first trimester (long-term treatment with the use of this drug disrupts the development of the fetus);
- lactating women;
- children under 18 years old.
- In addition, this medicine is prescribed with caution:
- ulcers, gastritis and colitis;
- heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure;
- infectious diseases;
- 8 weeks and 2 weeks after any vaccination;
- glaucoma.
Benefits
Buy Prednisone as it has several benefits:
- is able to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects;
- eliminates and significantly reduces swelling of the mucous membranes;
- restricts connective tissue reactions;
- inhibits mucosal erosion;
- reduces the likelihood of scar tissue.
The active ingredient of this drug increases the sensitivity of beta 2-adrenoreceptors of small and medium bronchi to catecholamines and sympathomimetics. It inhibits the synthesis of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Also, this medicine can reduce the viscosity of mucus.
Side effects
As already mentioned, it is able to have side effects on the human body. Most often, the treatment with its use in patients may be followed by side effects like:
- vomiting, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- headache, sleep disturbances, convulsions;
- the development of diabetes;
- formation of Itsenko-Cushing syndrome;
- weight gain;
- sweating and swelling;
- allergic reactions.
Overdose
This medicine can be taken only on prescription and under doctor control. The dose of Prednisone in asthma, selected by a specialist, cannot be exceeded in any case. If the patient is injected with too much solution, or he takes many pills, the number of the side effects may increase listed above. Unfortunately, the specific scheme for eliminating the intoxication of the body with this medicine was not developed. Treatment for overdose is usually carried out only symptomatically.
Instructions for use of the solution
For the treatment of this disease, the liquid form of Prednisone is used quite often. In this case, injections are usually prescribed during inpatient treatment. Dosages for asthma are selected by the doctor individually, depending on the patient’s condition and his weight. During the course of the patient can be administered from 75 to 675 mg of the drug. Only with serious complications, the amount of the drug is sometimes increased to 1,400 mg. The intervals between taking the medication are also prescribed by a specialist individually. As soon as the patient’s condition improves, the dose will be gradually reduced.
Instructions for asthmatic status
In this case, 500-1200 mg of the drug is administered per day. With the improvement of the patient’s condition, the dose is gradually reduced to 300 mg per day. In the subsequent treatment, maintenance therapy is conducted. The doctor specifies the dosage individually.
Instructions for use for tablets
Very often in asthma, a tablet form is prescribed to patients. The first course of therapy when using tablets according to the instructions should not last for more than 16 days. Asthma is usually treated with a dose of 5–6 mg per day. After stabilization, the dose is reduced up to 3 mg.
Maintenance therapy with the use of this medication is carried out in the amount of 1.5 – 2.5 tablets per day once a day. It is also allowed to take a double dose of medication every other day. In the period of bronchial asthma exacerbation, Prednisone tablets, as well as its liquid form, can be administered in amounts up to 1400 mg for the entire course.
How to take the drug correctly?
The release of glucocorticoids in the human body occurs, as is known, cyclically. Therefore, taking Prednisone is assumed during the period of active wakefulness, that is, from 8 am to 6 pm. However, many doctors believe that the greatest effect of the use of this drug will be achieved if it enters the patient’s body at noon – from 13 to 15 pm. It is at this time that the active suppression of the bronchopulmonary fluid occurs.
Interaction with other drugs
To combine this drug is allowed a limited number of drugs. For example, you should avoid the simultaneous use of the solution and tablets for asthma with:
- diuretics and “amphotericin B” because it increases the risk of heart failure;
- cardiac glycosides, which can aggravate hypokalemia;
- immunosuppressants, as this may provoke the development of infectious diseases;
- m-cholinoblockers that can cause an increase in intraocular pressure;
- anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as it increases the risk of stomach bleeding;
- paracetamol and cyclosporine because it increases the likelihood of toxic liver damage.