SUMMARY:

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid or corticosteroid with minimal mineralocorticoid activity. It is most often used in treating conditions that are corticosteroid-responsive such as in acute exacerbation of Multiple Sclerosis, or in the treatment of Acute Asthma. Common dosing ranges between 5-60 mg PO 1-2 times daily. If the patient has been on high dose therapy or has undergone longer term therapy it is highly recommended to taper the patient gradually off the medications. The most common side effects are weight gain, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle & joint pain, and headache. One of the more serious considerations is to not get any live vaccines while on this medication. The main concern is the vaccine will not work as well due to prednisone’s ability to lower the body’s immune response.