BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Cortisone drug (adrenal corticosteroid)
USES
Reduces inflammation caused by many different medical problems.
Treatment for some allergic diseases, blood disorders, kidney
diseases, asthma and emphysema.
Replaces corticosteroid deficiencies.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach
irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and
take with liquid or food.
Injection--Take under doctor's supervision.
When to take:
At the same times each day. Take once-a-day or
once-every-other-day doses in mornings.
If you forget a dose:
Several-doses-per-day prescription--Take as soon as you
remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for
next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
Once-a-day dose or less--Wait for next dose. Double this
dose.
What drug does:
Decreases inflammatory responses.
Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 4 days.
Don't take with:
See interaction column and consult doctor.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
Symptoms What to Do
_______________________________________________________________________
Life-threatening:
Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency treatment
itching, faintness immediately.
soon after a dose
(anaphylaxis).
Common:
Acne, poor wound Continue. Call doctor when
healing, thirst, convenient.
indigestion, nausea,
vomiting, decreased
growth in children.
Infrequent:
Black, bloody or Discontinue. Seek emergency
tarry stools. treatment.
Blurred vision, Discontinue. Call doctor
halos around lights, right away.
sore throat, fever,
muscle cramps,
swollen legs or feet.
Mood change, Continue. Call doctor when
insomnia, convenient.
restlessness,
frequent urination,
weight gain, round
face, fatigue,
weakness, TB
recurrence, irregular
menstrual periods.
What to do:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See emergency information.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any cortisone drug.
You have tuberculosis or fungus infection.
You have herpes infection of eyes, lips or genitals.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had tuberculosis.
If you have congestive heart failure.
If you have diabetes, peptic ulcer, glaucoma, underactive
thyroid, high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, blood clots
in legs or lungs.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons. Likely to aggravate edema,
diabetes or ulcers. Likely to cause cataracts and
osteoporosis (softening of the bones).
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. avoid drug or discontinue nursing
until you finish mecicine. Consult doctor for advice on
maintaining milk supply.
Infants and children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
Retards growth in children.
Possible glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, fragile bones and thin
skin.
Functional dependence.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Drug affects your response to surgery, illness, injury or
stress for 2 years after discontinuing. Tell anyone who takes
medical care of you within 2 years about drug.
Others:
Avoid immunizations if possible.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
Generic Name or Drug Class Combined Effect
______________________________________________________________________
Amphotericin B Potassium depletion.
Theophylline Possible increased
theophylline effect.
Potassium supplements Decreased potassium effect.
Rifampin Decreased emthylprednisolone
effect.
Sympathomimetics Possible glaucoma.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Interacts With Combined Effect
________________________________________________________________________
Alcohol Risk of stomach ulcers.
Beverages No proven problems.
Cocaine Overstimulation. Avoid.
Foods No proven problems.
Marijuana Decreased immunity.
Tobacco Increased methylprednisolone
effect. Possible toxicity.
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Cortisone drug (adrenal corticosteroid)
USES
Reduces inflammation caused by many different medical problems.
Treatment for some allergic diseases, blood disorders, kidney
diseases, asthma and emphysema.
Replaces corticosteroid deficiencies.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or liquid--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen
stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble
tablet.
When to take:
At the same times each day. Take once-a-day or
once-every-other-day doses in mornings.
If you forget a dose:
Several-doses-per-day prescription--Take as soon as you
remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for
next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
Once-a-day dose or less--Wait for next dose. Double this
dose.
What drug does:
Decreases inflammatory responses.
Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 4 days.
Don't take with:
See interaction column and consult doctor.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
Symptoms What To Do
__________________________________________________________________
Life-threatening:
Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency treatment
itching, faintness immediately.
soon after a dose
(anaphylaxis).
Common:
Acne, poor wound Continue. Call doctor
healing, thirst, when convenient.
indigestion, nausea,
vomiting, decreased
growth in children.
Infrequent:
Black, bloody or Discontinue. Seek emergency
tarry stool. treatment.
Blurred vision, Discontinue. Call doctor
halos around lights, right away.
sore throat, fever,
muscle cramps.
Mood change, fatigue, Continue. Call doctor
insomnia, weakness, when convenient.
restlessness,
frequent urination,
weight gain, round
face, TB recurrence,
irregular menstrual
periods.
Skin rash, fever Discontinue. Call doctor
joint pain, acute right away.
psychosis, hair loss,
pancreatitis, numbness
or tingling in hands
or feet, convulsions,
thrombophlebitis,
hallucinations.
What to do:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See emergency information.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any cortisone drug.
You have tuberculosis or fungus infection.
You have herpes infection of eyes, lips or genitals.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had tuberculosis.
If you have congestive heart failure.
If you have diabetes.
If you have peptic ulcer.
If you have glaucoma.
If you have underactive thyroid.
If you have high blood pressure.
If you have myasthenia gravis.
If you have blood clots in legs or lungs.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons. Likely to aggravate edema,
diabetes or ulcers. Likely to cause cataracts and
osteoporosis (softening of the bones).
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing
until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on
maintaining milk supply.
Infants and children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
Retards growth in children.
Possible glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, fragile bones and thin
skin.
Functional dependence.
Skin and Sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Drug affects your response to surgery, illness, injury or
stress for 2 years after discontinuing. Tell anyone who takes
medical care of you within 2 years about drug.
Others:
Avoid immunizations if possible.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
Generic Name or Drug Class Combined effect
________________________________________________________________
Amphotericin B Potassium depletion.
Digitalis preparations Dangerous potassium depletion.
Possible digitalis toxicity.
Diuretics, thiazide Potassium depletion.
Ethacrynic acid Potassium depletion.
Ephedrine Decreased prednisone effect.
Estrogens Increased prednisone effect.
Furosemide Potassium depletion.
Glutethimide Decreased prednisone effect.
Indapamide Possible excessive potassium
loss, causing dangerous
heartbeat irregularity.
Indomethacin Increased prednisone effect.
Insulin Decreased insulin effect.
Isoniazid Decreased isoniazid effect.
Mitotane Decreased prednisone effect.
Non-steroidal Increased risk of ulcers and
anti-inflammatory drugs prednisone effect.
Phenobarbital Decreased prednisone effect.
Oxyphenbutazone Possible ulcers.
Phenylbutazone Possible ulcers.
Potassium supplements Decreased potassium effect.
Rifampin Decreased prednisone effect.
Salicylates Decreased salicylate effect.
Sympathomimetics Possible glaucoma.
Theophylline Possible increased
theophylline effect.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Interacts with Combined effect
________________________________________________________________
Alcohol: Risk of stomach ulcers.
Beverages: No proven problems.
Cocaine: Overstimulation. Avoid.
Foods: No proven problems.
Marijuana: Decreased immunity.
Tobacco: Increased prednisone effect.
Possible toxicity.
Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253
