How to minimize the side effects of prednisone?
Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheeses. Be active — shoot for exercise most days of the week. Get adequate rest (ideally seven to nine hours each night). Curiously enough, prednisone raises white blood cell counts on lab tests, Dr. Ford says.
Are there any side effects to taking prednisone long term?
Most steroid side effects only occur when people take prednisone long-term. For non-chronic issues, you might take it only for a couple of weeks. “We also try to start you on a high dose and then rapidly lower it, which also minimizes side effects,” Dr. Ford explains.
Are there any side effects to weaning off prednisone?
Adrenal insufficiency and weaning off prednisone: Prolonged use of prednisone and other corticosteroids causes the adrenal glands to atrophy (shrink) and stop producing the body’s natural corticosteroid, cortisol. Necrosis of hips and joints: A serious complication of long-term use of corticosteroids is aseptic necrosis of the hip joints.
How to know if you have an allergic reaction to prednisone?
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: 1 rash, 2 itching /swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), 3 severe dizziness, 4 trouble breathing.
When to talk to your doctor about prednisone?
Before taking prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider about the following: 1 If you have a history of allergies to prednisone or other steroid drugs 2 Other medications you are currently taking 3 If you have diabetes 4 Whether you have high blood pressure 5 If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
How is Prednisone used to treat proteinuria?
As a result, large amounts of protein leaks into the urine. This in turn reduces the amount of protein in your blood, known as proteinuria. Prednisone is used to help lower proteinuria in these disorders.