Adults—At first, 5 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Full Answer
Perhaps your doctor prescribes each dose for a week instead of a day. Or your doctor could use prednisone 10 mg tablets instead of 20 mg tablets. Your doctor could prescribe 40 mg every day for five days and then stop. Or the doctor could start at 20 mg and drop by 5 mg each day. All of these and many more are typical and normal prednisone dosages.
There is no set limit on how long you can safely take prednisone. It depends on the dose of prednisone and the condition being treated. It may be prescribed short term or long term. The dosage will be adjusted or stopped based on your response or lack of response to the medication.
For emergency situations like breathing problems, rashes, or various types of pain, doctors often prescribe a short-term prednisone taper. This usually starts at prednisone 40 mg. This dosage taper listed above is typical but could be changed in many ways.
Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response
How to use Medlone 21-Pack Tablet. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually with food or milk. Follow your dosing instructions carefully. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
How should this medicine be used? Prednisone comes as a tablet, delayed-release tablet, as a solution (liquid), and as a concentrated solution to take by mouth. Prednisone is usually taken with food one to four times a day or once every other day.
5-60 mg/day orally in a single daily dose or divided every 6 to 12 hours.
Adults—At first, 5 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 0.14 to 2 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided and taken 3 or 4 times a day.
Adults—At first, 5 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Take this medication by mouth, with food or milk to prevent stomach upset, as directed by your doctor. Take the tablet form of this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
How long will it take to work? Prednisone generally works very quickly — usually within one to four days — if the prescribed dose is adequate to reduce your particular level of inflammation. Some people notice the effects of prednisone hours after taking the first dose.
There is no set limit on how long you can safely take prednisone. It depends on the dose of prednisone and the condition being treated. It may be prescribed short term or long term. The dosage will be adjusted or stopped based on your response or lack of response to the medication.
If you are taking Prednisone just once a day, take it in the morning with breakfast. The morning is best as it mimics the timing of your body's own production of cortisone. Taking your dose of prednisone too late in the evening may cause difficulty sleeping.
Prednisone is the oral tablet form of steroid most often used. Less than 7.5 mg per day is generally considered a low dose; up to 40 mg daily is a moderate dose; and more than 40-mg daily is a high dose.
Prednisone has a tendency to raise the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which can cause increased body fat or diabetes in some people. It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods.
Side EffectsAggression.agitation.decrease in the amount of urine.fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse.mood changes.noisy, rattling breathing.numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.pounding in the ears.More items...•
Official answer. There is no set limit on how long you can safely take prednisone.
How long will it take to work? Prednisone generally works very quickly — usually within one to four days — if the prescribed dose is adequate to reduce your particular level of inflammation. Some people notice the effects of prednisone hours after taking the first dose.
It takes approximately 16.5 to 22 hours for Prednisone to be out of your system.
Prednisone can cause irregularities in potassium, calcium and phosphate levels. This may lead to high blood pressure, heart-beat irregularities, edema (swelling) and weight gain. People on medium-high doses of prednisone may suffer premature atherosclerosis — buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Dosing should be individualized based on disease and patient response: Initial dose: 5 to 60 mg orally per day Maintenance dose: Adjust or maintain initial dose until a satisfactory response is obtained; then, gradually in small decrements at appropriate intervals decrease to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response Comments: -Exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenocorticoid activity the least when given at the time of maximal activity; consider time of maximal adrenal cortex activity (2 to 8 AM) when dosing. -The delayed-release tablets act similarly to the immediate-release tablets except for the timing of drug release; active drug is released from the delayed-release tablets approximately 4 to 6 hours after intake. -Alternate day therapy may be considered in patients requiring long-term treatment; it may be necessary to return to a full suppressive daily dose in the event of acute flare-ups. Uses: As an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent when corticosteroid therapy as appropriate, such as for the treatment of certain allergic states; nervous system, neoplastic, or renal conditions; endocrine, rheumatologic, or hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal diseases; specific infectious diseases or conditions related to organ transplantation..
Because prednisone can be used for so many different reasons, that affects what is expected for your situation. Doctors from any specialty can prescribe prednisone to help with inflammation. The dose the doctor prescribes depends on which diagnosis and how bad of a situation.
The worst, most acute or life-threatening situations receive the highest dosage for a short time. For example, when a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) suddenly loses vision, the neurologist doctor usually prescribes an extremely high dose of around 1000 mg a day for only a few days. That high of a dose is justified for preventing permanent blindness. Giving a super high dose for only a few days is called a bolus. But doctors rarely prescribe that high of a dose for more than a few days at a time because of the high risks of side effects.
For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often use prednisone 5-10 mg per day for years. The RA causes so much pain and disability to justify continued use over a long time.
But doctors rarely prescribe that high of a dose for more than a few days at a time because of the high risks of side effects. Usually the vision will return to normal and the person with multiple sclerosis will stop taking prednisone.
While this is true for all drugs, it is especially true for prednisone because of the high risks of side effects. Only take prednisone if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Prednisone can treat inflammation from short term infections or allergic reactions but is also used to manage chronic conditions like lupus, Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis and severe asthma.
Here is a 12-day taper schedule for high dose prednisone from a dermatologists office:
Those high daily dose is usually tapered off over the course of a few days to avoid adrenal exhaustion and withdrawal effects. You see, when you introduce prednisone (which the body recognizes as cortisol) to the body, the adrenals stop making their own supply.
The theory behind tapering off of steroids like prednisone is that by slowly removing the external steroid source, the body can adapt and begin making its own again with less stress placed on the system. The practice of tapering in short term therapy, even in higher doses is debated by many clinicians.
Cortisol has gotten some bad press in the popular media for it’s ability to “pack on the pounds” and has been labeled with negative connotations as a “stress hormone.”.
How Long Does it Take Prednisone to Work? Prednisone can work within hours after just one dose, depending on (1) what you’re taking it for, and (2) how high of a dose your doctor prescribed. It’s an individualized answer with many factors to consider.
Prednisone Half-life. Prednisone’s half-life is three to four hours. So the prednisone molecule is mostly out of your system within a day, for most people at least. It all depends.
Prednisone doesn’t make the pneumonia go away. It will take a long time for that healing to happen, so it matters which aspect of the condition you’re expecting prednisone to work on. In a similar way, for rheumatic conditions, prednisone will work quickly to ease the pain. But it won’t immediately cure RA.
If it’s a high dose, then prednisone usually works pretty quickly for RA or PMR. People say it’ll work that same day. But lower doses may not help at all, and prednisone may never work if the dose isn’t high enough.
Since prednisone is an anti-inflammatory drug, the type and amount of inflammation is the key to knowing when prednisone will work. If you’re taking it for something like your immune system, like I did, then other factors to consider include what part of the immune system you’re taking it for.