What Is Prednisone?

Precautions To Remember

Patients should go over their full medical history with their doctor to ensure prednisone is safe for their needs. In particular, the doctor will need to know about any history of cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions, eye problems, gastrointestinal issues, or bone concerns, as patients with these conditions may need to take another drug or be monitored more closely if prednisone is prescribed. Like other corticosteroids, prednisone may cause patients to retain both fluid and salt, and this retention could trigger increases in blood pressure, calcium excretion, and potassium excretion. Patients may need to have their blood pressure monitored at follow-up appointments, and lab tests might be recommended to check calcium and potassium levels regularly. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, doctors advise patients to avoid alcohol consumption during prednisone use. This medication could impact growth and development in pediatric patients if it is used for a prolonged period, and doctors will need to closely monitor the child throughout their treatment. Patients who intend to receive a vaccine while on prednisone should speak with their doctor before doing so. Individuals who take high doses of prednisone may need to delay receiving any live or live-attenuated vaccines for several months after prednisone is discontinued.

Read about the potential medication interactions with prednisone next.