My prescription says to take the 20 mg Prednisone tab 3 times a day for 5 days. I've heard all kinds of horror stories about steriod therapy I am kinda scared about taking this drug. Is it safe to take this for 5 days straight and then just stopped taking it?? The reason I'm taking it in the first place was because of a trip to the ER where I was diagnosed with acute bronchontis - I also rec'd the antibiotic Zythromax for infection. I've finished the antibiotic but still have four prednisone tablets left to take - should i been weened off of these or just stop?? Please help - I'm really not liking these steriods
After recent visit to ER I rec'd a prescription fo Prednisone 20 mg tab. What can I expect?
Question posted by reginastansbury on 21 Feb 2011
Last updated on 14 December 2016
3 Answers
Inactive
21 Feb 2011
Your prescription for the prednisone is a little high, but it should get you past your crisies. You will fell flushed & red in the face, and very hungery while on it. You really need to see a Pulmonary specialist for you condition, as someone else added there as other things to prescribe for Asthma attacks. There are tablets that can be taken to help control it, & inhalers for quick onset. Has anyone diagnosed why you have Asthma? Mine is brought on by allergies & is really bad in the Fall of the year. Good luck to you, but again I caution you to talk to your doctor or a specialist to find the cause, & what should be done for it in the long run.
trish49
14 Dec 2016
yes i believe it Prednisone in some of these comments to be a bit high... I was told to take 2 tabs every morning for 5 days..stop after that n then repeat the coarse after 2 weeks...
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tdstoughton
21 Feb 2011
I am Asthmatic and have been on steroids like prednisone in the past. I am also a nurse and have witnessed the side effects of steroid use. In short periods taking prednisone is perfectly safe, say for instance 5 to 10 days. Where you start to see problems is on long term repeated usage. I was prescribed oral and inhaled steroid treatments for asthma and found myself with weight gain and a "MOON-PIE" face. My hands and feet also swelled severely. I now tell the Doctors I see that I will gladly take albuterol or other inhalers as long as they don't contain steroids. At times when my asthma is very severe I have to resort to taking the steroids for a short time, but for the most part if at all possible I try not to take the steroids.
heidihoe
22 Feb 2011
Same thing happened to me!
Moon face, swollen feet and hands, 5.9kg's gain in a week!
Terrible changes.
Kalimicheals
9 April 2014
Ok so I have a severe throat infection and was described 10 mL twice daily for 10 days and prednisone 3 tablets daily for 5 days to treat it. When I got the medicine I took it right away that was 6:30 pm and could not sleep. I was wondering if I could take the prednisone at 7:30 am the next day or do I wait until 6:30 pm again?
Kalimicheals
9 April 2014
The 10mL was for amoxicillin in my last post
JaiSlaughter
26 April 2015
I agree steroids are absolutely last resort!! My concern with ur statement is that you are telling your Dr that you will gladly take albuterol, just nothing with a steroid!!! Just wanted to make sure you know that Albuterol IS in fact a steroid inhaler!
trish49
14 Dec 2016
I am on Prednisone for 5 days only 2 in the morning with breakfast..start taking again after 2 weeks... can i ask why we are given steroids in the first place??? i have seen comments on here that ppl have used them for long term ... I have Emphysema n i have to take 4 puffers a day..one is 4 times a day then the other for twice a day then one for once a day n just a daily use one..at the moment i am bringing up a lot of Flem i do think i may have a chest infection..i haven't told the doctor about it yet..everytime you tell the doctor things they decide to give you more pills..I am already on antibiotics n have been for months on edge...
heidihoe
21 Feb 2011
You must ween off really slowly DO NOT JUST STOP!
as you may make your adrenal glands to not work properly, it stops supplying cortisone. I was informed that is after 10 days use, but only 5-7 days after use should be OK.
caringsonbj
21 Feb 2011
like heidihoe says the important thing is THAT YOU TAKE ALL OF the MEDICATION, unless you have some unusual problem it's important to finish the total amount prescribed, if you note any problems at all please notify your doctor, I took some recently and I usually took mine with food, take care and feel better soon, let us know how you are
heidihoe
22 Feb 2011
My hands and feet swelled, face looked like a moon face and it keeps you awake at night (nightime dose). Makes you hungry. And you gain fluid.
caringsonbj
22 Feb 2011
heidihoe is right again I believe it was Zithromaz that I took with this I too had heard stories and jusy wanted not to have to deal with it but the doctor assured me it would help me over the hump, yes I experienced wanting to eat, my feet and legs had swelling, I ven talked with the pharmacist he told me that I was only on it for a short time and these side effects (as long as I followed directions would go away) and they did. hope you feel better soon
reginastansbury
28 Feb 2011
thanks so much for you input - I really do appreciate it! I took the meds as per the prescription (3, 20mg pills a day for 5 days) No weening off though - I just finished the meds as prescribed and so far so good! You are both right - I swelled up like a balloon (my face was so round I could hardly believe it). I ate and ate and ate! Sleep loss was a factor too (not to mention it made me very moody). I'm off all meds now and seem to be doing alot better BUT I must admit, I hope I never have to take steroids again!
rgenet
16 Oct 2011
I was given 12 day dose after a visit to ER for a Blown out disk in my back. It made me high as a kite the first week, no eating, heartracing, sweating, but by the last 3 days I was very depressed, and wanted to crawl in a hole somewhere. I was screaming at everyone and everything. Crazy time for real, I never experienced anything like it before. I was soooo happy to finish my pack but the 1st day w/o it , MAJOR headaches for hours! I am 2 days now w/o and just starting to feel somewhat normal, but I have been taking Advil all day to keep the headache at bay. Now I am eating like Iv not eaten in weeks and my stomach is a mess, And I am also swolen. I hope I feel normal again soon.
trish49
14 Dec 2016
I was given Prednisone to take for only 5 days..stop then wait 2 weeks if not longer depending on how i felt... I was unawhere you were allowed to take them 10days in a row... I am not sure about this myself,i would like to find out more about this medication before i re start taking them
Related topics
asthma, prednisone, inflammatory conditions, prescription
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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