Prednisone (Anti-Inflammatory)

Question 1

What is the brand name of prednisone?

Answer 1

Deltasone

Question 2

What are the available tablet strengths of prednisone?

Answer 2

1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg

Question 3

What is the available solution strength of prednisone?

Answer 3

5 mg per 5 mL

Question 4

What is the strength of Intensol solution?

Answer 4

5 mg/mL

Question 5

What is the FDA approved indication for prednisone?

Answer 5

Treatment of various allergic and inflammatory diseases of the body, multiple sclerosis

Question 6

What is the dosage of prednisone used for the treatment of various allergic and inflammatory diseases of the body?

Answer 6

Dosage must be individualized. Normal doses range from 5mg to 60mg/day

Question 7

What dose of prednisone is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

Answer 7

200 mg per day for seven days followed by 80 mg every other day for one month.

Question 8

What is the mechanism of action of prednisone?

Answer 8

Adrenocorticoids buying to certain receptor proteins found in the cytoplasm of sensitive cells to form a steroid-receptor complex.

Question 9

What are the drug interactions of prednisone?

Answer 9

• May antagonize the effects of anticholinesterases.
• Barbiturates, rifampin, and hydantoin may increase metabolism.
• Estrogens may decrease metabolism.
• Ketoconazole may increase effects. May decrease salicylate effectiveness.

Question 10

What are the contraindications of prednisone?

Answer 10

• Use is contraindicated in patients with systemic fungal infections.
• Use with caution and pregnant or nursing women and patients with ocular herpes simplex, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, fresh intestinal anastomoses, renal impairment, hypertension, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, tuberculosis, peptic ulcer’s, or diabetes mellitus.
• Patients on immunosuppressant doses of prednisone should not undergo any form of immunization with live or live, attenuated vaccines.
• No pregnancy category established.

Question 11

What are the adverse effects of prednisone?

Answer 11

Blurred vision, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, Cushing’s syndrome, increase susceptibility to infections, osteoporosis, vertebral compression, various behavioral disturbances, peptic ulceration, myopathy, suppression of growth in children, and signs of adrenal suppression

Question 12

What should the pharmacist tell the patient when counseling them on the use of prednisone?

Answer 12

• Take medication only as prescribed.
• Do not discontinue medication without first consulting physician.
• May take with food or milk if GI upset occurs.
• Notify physician if any adverse effects occur.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible.