How Is It Used?
Take prednisone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. If you are only taking prednisone once a day, take it in the morning, which is the time your body normally secretes cortisol. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What should my health care professional know before I take Prednisone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Cataracts or glaucoma
• Cushing's syndrome
• Diabetes
• Heart problems, or previous heart attack
• High blood pressure or blood clotting disorder
• Infection, such as herpes, measles, tuberculosis or chickenpox
• Myasthenia gravis
• Pschosis
• Osteoporosis
• Recent surgery
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Stomach or intestinal disease, including colitis
• Under-active thyroid
• Sn unusual or allergic reaction to prednisone, other corticosteroids, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

Are There Possible Side Effects?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• Confusion, excitement, restlessness, a false sense of well-being
• Eye pain, decreased or blurred vision, or bulging eyes
• Fever, sore throat, sneezing, cough, or other signs of infection, wounds that will not heal
• Frequent passing of urine
• Increased thirst
• Irregular heartbeat
• Menstrual problems
• Mental depression, mood swings, mistaken feelings of self-importance or of being mistreated
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain in hips, back, ribs, arms, shoulders, or legs
• Rounding out of face
• Skin problems, acne, thin and shiny skin
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Unusual bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Weight gain or weight loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Headache
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Increased sweating
• Nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping
• Upset stomach
• Unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body

What About Interactions With Other Drugs?

• Acetazolamide
• Antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
• Barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures
• Bosentan
• Certain heart medicines
• Female hormones, including contraceptives or birth control pills
• Live virus vaccines, and other toxoids and vaccines
• Medicines for diabetes
• Phenytoin
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Water pills
• Warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Prednisone?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. If you are taking prednisone over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medicine, and your prescriber's name and address. Do not suddenly stop taking prednisone. You may need to gradually reduce the dose, so that your body can adjust. Follow the advice of your prescriber or health care professional.

If you are taking prednisone regularly, avoid contact with people who have an infection. You will have an increased risk from infection while taking prednisone. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

People who are taking certain dosages of prednisone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking prednisone before receiving any vaccine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have received prednisone within the last twelve months.

If you receive prednisone every day, you may need to watch your diet. Your body can lose potassium while you are taking this medicine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional about your diet.

Prednisone can affect your blood sugar. If you are diabetic check with your prescriber or health care professional if you need help adjusting the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Alcohol can increase the risk of getting serious side effects while you are taking prednisone. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Prednisone can interfere with certain lab tests and can cause false skin test results.

What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it a soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, consult your prescriber or health care professional. You may need to miss a dose or take a double dose, depending on your condition and treatment. Do not take double or extra doses without advice.

How Should It Be Stored?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.