Prednisone



Prednisone





(pred’ ni sone)

Apo-Prednisone (CAN), Novo-Prednisone (CAN), Prednisone Intensol Concentrate, RayosDNC, Winpred (CAN)

PREGNANCY CATEGORY C

PREGNANCY CATEGORY D (RAYOS)


Drug Classes

Corticosteroid (intermediate-acting)

Glucocorticoid

Hormone


Therapeutic Actions

Enters target cells and binds to intracellular corticosteroid receptors, initiating many complex reactions that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.


Indications



  • Replacement therapy in adrenal cortical insufficiency


  • Hypercalcemia associated with cancer


  • Short-term management of various inflammatory and allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen diseases (eg, SLE), dermatologic diseases (eg, pemphigus), status asthmaticus, and autoimmune disorders


  • Hematologic disorders: Thrombocytopenia purpura, erythroblastopenia


  • Ulcerative colitis, acute exacerbations of MS and palliation in some leukemias and lymphomas


  • Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement



Available Forms

Tablets—1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg; DR tablets—1, 2, 5 mg; oral solution—5 mg/5 mL, 5 mg/mL


Dosages

Adults

Individualize dosage depending on severity of condition and patient’s response. Administer daily dose before 9 AM to minimize adrenal suppression. If long-term therapy is needed, consider alternate-day therapy. After long-term therapy, withdraw drug slowly to avoid adrenal insufficiency. Initial dose, 5–60 mg/day PO. For maintenance therapy, reduce initial dose in small increments at intervals until lowest dose that maintains satisfactory clinical response is reached. For acute exacerbations of MS, 200 mg/day PO for 1 wk, then 80 mg PO every other day for 1 month.

Pediatric patients

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Jul 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Prednisone

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access