Meticorten

Prednisone is a prescription medication used to treat:

• low corticosteroid levels. Corticosteroids are steroids naturally produced by the body that are required for normal body function.
• arthritis
• allergic reactions
• asthma
• multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which nerves do not function properly due to inflammation.
• lupus. Lupus is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself.
• severe psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease in which the skin becomes red, irritated, and flaky.
• certain conditions affecting the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines. Prednisone frequently treats diseases of these organs by reducing inflammation.
• some types of cancer such as leukemia (cancer in bone marrow) and lymphoma (cancer of white blood cells)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Meticorten is part of the drug classes:

• Corticosteroids acting locally

• Glucocorticoids

Serious side effects have been reported with prednisone including:

• Hypersensitivity reaction:  Prednisone may trigger an allergic response.  Symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction include:

  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • swelling
  • rash
  • itching

• Cardiac and renal problems: Prednisone can increase blood pressure, cause water and sodium retention, and increase potassium and calcium excretion. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart or kidney disease.

• Corticosteroid deficiency after drug withdrawal: Once you stop taking prednisone, your body’s ability to produce certain steroid hormones may be impaired.

• Immunosuppression: Prednisone decreases your body’s immune response to infections. In addition, prednisone can increase sensitivity to vaccines since the immune response is reduced with prednisone use.

• Reactivation of tuberculosis: Tell your doctor if you have had tuberculosis.

• Ophthalmic (eye) problems: Prednisone can lead to cataracts and glaucoma.

• Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract:  Prednisone can cause holes in the stomach or intestinal lining.  Tell your doctor if you have a history of ulcers or other digestive system problems.

• Decreased bone formation:  Prednisone can prevent the formation of bones, which may result in decreased bone density and osteoporosis.

Prednisone can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how prednisone affects you.

Do not take prednisone if you:

• have a fungal infection
• are allergic to prednisone

Before taking prednisone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have thyroid, liver, kidney, or heart disease
• have recently experienced an infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
• have recently had or will have a surgical procedure
• have an autoimmune disease like HIV/AIDS
• have had an allergic reaction to prednisone
• have had tuberculosis
• have osteoporosis
• plan to receive a vaccination
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if prednisone will harm your unborn baby.

• Store prednisone at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.