Prednisone: anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-allergic steroidPrednisone is a synthetic analog of cortisone that suppresses inflammation, allergic reactions and an overactive immune system. Discover the most common indications for it and rules of usage

Prednisone

Prednisone has been utilized in medical practice since the middle of the XX century. This medicine is helpful for patients with adrenal insufficiency, diseases of connective tissues, blood and skin issues and numerous other health problems. However, it belongs to the prescription group and requires a responsible attitude and the intake of carefully selected doses. Let’s unveil the most important information about this remedy.

The creation and main effects

This synthetic medicine belongs to the group of glucocorticoid hormones and can be utilized parenterally, orally and for local purposes. It was created based on the structure of cortisone but this molecule does not contain fluorine atom. Prednisone was successfully synthesized for the first time in the middle of the XX century. Since that time, it has been widely used in clinical practice. The medicine possesses anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, cures shock condition and allergy.

The most common indications for usage

This remedy belongs to the prescription group and is utilized in the next cases: • adrenal insufficiency; • hypoglycemic conditions (low blood sugar); • systemic illnesses of connective tissue, such as rheumatism, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, periarteritis, dermatomyositis and Bekhterev’s disease; • diseases of the blood, including hemolytic anemia, lymphogranulomatosis, agranulocytosis and granulocytopenia and leukemias; • skin issues, such as eczema, exudative erythema, erythroderma, psoriasis, alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis; • for the patients with the hormonal system disorders. Oral prednisone is also used in the therapy of the respiratory system (bronchial asthma and sarcoidosis). The list of available dosage forms includes pills of 0.001; 0.002; 0.0025; 0.005; 0.01; 0.02 and 0.05 g, solution for oral use with the concentration of 5 mg/5 ml in bottles of 30, 120 and 500 ml, and rectal suppositories of 100 mg. The dosage and duration of the course are selected individually by a doctor.

Adverse reactions

When using prednisone, the following adverse effects are possible: • Various skin reactions, including bruises, thinning of the skin, hyper- or hypopigmentation, loss of hair or its thick growth on the body. • Digestive system issues like pain in the epigastrium, pancreatitis, steroid ulcers of the organs of the digestive tract. • Nervous system issues, including mental disorders. • Steroid cataract and latent glaucoma. • Arterial hypertension. • The endocrine system may react with impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, menstrual cycle disorders, growth retardation and delayed sexual development in children, suppression of the pituitary-adrenal system, Cushing’s disease, obesity, delayed removal of water and salts from the body and hypokalemia. • After long period of intake, the musculoskeletal system may suffer from osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, aseptic osteonecrosis and bone fractures. Other possible side effects include a decrease in the work of the immune system, a violation of the leukocyte formula, fragility of blood vessels, enhanced blood clotting and slowed healing of wounds. Such reactions are reported rarely and often as a result of prolonged intake. Therefore, the therapy should be controlled by a doctor who’ll be able to notice the first warning symptoms and correct the dosage or regimen of the intake.

Contraindications

An absolute contraindication for this remedy is increased sensitivity to it. As for relative contraindications to the long use, they include: • peptic ulcer disease; • osteoporosis; • Cushing’s disease; • renal failure; • severe arterial hypertension; • severe glaucoma; • systemic mycoses; • tendency to thromboembolism; • active tuberculosis and viral infections; • period after vaccination; • symptoms of mental illnesses. In these situations, a doctor decides individually on the need and possibilities of the usage of this remedy.

Conclusions

Prednisone possesses high anti-inflammatory properties combined with anti-shock, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive effects. That is why it is quite useful for the cure of many diseases, especially when the immune system attacks the body from the inside. Still, the specialist should consider possible side effects and select a mode of therapy that will be beneficial for the patient.

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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Influenza (Flu)