When taking steroids, focus on nutrient-rich foods like lean proteins, fruits (especially potassium-rich ones like bananas, apricots), vegetables (spinach, beans), whole grains, and low-fat dairy to combat side effects like appetite increase, fluid retention, and muscle loss, while limiting sugar, salt, and processed foods. A balanced diet with controlled portions helps manage weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and maintain energy.
Prednisolone (Orapred ODT, Pediapred) is a corticosteroid medication with many possible side effects. The likelihood of side effects can depend on your dosage and treatment duration. Certain prednisolone side effects, such as headaches, trouble sleeping, and appetite changes can happen even with short-term use.
Take steps to manage steroid side effects
How to take it. Unless your doctor or pharmacist gives you different instructions, it's best to take prednisolone as a single dose once a day, with breakfast. For example, if your dose is 40mg daily, your doctor may tell you to take 8 tablets (8 x 5mg) all at the same time.
Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.
Common side effects
Prednisone generally stays in your body for less than 1 day or about 16 to 22 hours. Most of its effects stop after you stop taking it, but some may last longer.
Therefore, there is really no standard dose. Lower doses of prednisone (i.e., 1-10 mg daily) may be sufficient for certain types of inflammatory arthritis, while higher doses (20 mg per day and upwards) may be needed in other cases.
Avoid juice, vegetable cocktail, regular pop, smoothies, fancy coffees or other sweetened drinks as it is easy to get a lot of extra sugar, salt and calories from these. 4. Prednisone can also cause your body to hold onto extra fluid. Swelling in your feet or abdomen can be a sign of this.
The "2-2-2 Rule" for asthma is a simple guideline to check if your asthma is well-controlled: If you use your quick-relief inhaler (rescue inhaler) more than 2 times a week, wake up at night with asthma symptoms more than 2 times a month, or need to refill your rescue inhaler more than 2 times a year, your asthma is likely not controlled, and you should see your doctor to adjust your treatment plan.
Prednisone can have a negative effect on metabolism. Cravings seem to be heightened so drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables can help. Sometimes fruit or vegetable smoothies can fill us up. Protein in the morning (eggs and cheese – flavored soy cheese is good) might help with cravings during the day.
Based on these findings we have something called as Rule of 2. If a patient consumed 20mg/day or more Cortisone or its equivalent, for a duration of 2 weeks or more, within 2 years then the dosage of the steroid medication should be doubled preoperatively.
It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods. This helps keep blood sugar low. Limit saturated fat and cholesterol.
Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of water and fluids helps support your kidneys as they flush out prednisone. Exercise: Physical activity helps support your metabolism and blood circulation. This helps your body process and eliminate drugs efficiently.
What may interact with this medication?
Prednisone can also cause a considerable increase in your appetite that could lead to a sudden spike in your weight. On the other hand, steroids can cause irritation when you take them on an empty stomach, which is why this should be avoided.
Prednisone can cause common side effects such as insomnia, weight gain, and mood changes. Serious or long-term effects of prednisone may include infections, bone loss, and adrenal insufficiency. A low-sodium diet, exercise, and regular monitoring can help manage risks.
Prednisone usually achieves its effect within 1–2 hours. The delayed release tablets take about 6 hours after taking the dose. Prednisone stops working soon after stopping the medication.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are your first-line defense when looking for prednisone alternatives. These medications work by blocking certain enzymes that cause pain and swelling. Common OTC NSAIDs include: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) – Great for general inflammation and pain.
Key facts. It's best to take prednisolone tablets or liquid once a day in the morning so it does not keep you awake. The most common side effects are problems sleeping, weight gain and indigestion. Taking prednisolone can make you more likely to get infections.
You could go into steroid withdrawal, which can have severe symptoms. It's safer to taper off prednisone. Your doctor will gradually lower your dose. Tapering helps prevent withdrawal and stop your inflammation from coming back.
Common short-term side effects include changes in appetite, mood, energy, and sleep. Long-term prednisone treatment can lead to weight gain, osteoporosis, and cataracts. Diarrhea isn't a side effect of prednisone. But other gastrointestinal symptoms are possible, like increased appetite and indigestion.
Doses between 7.5 milligrams and 30 milligrams are usually considered a medium dose of prednisone. You might take a medium dose of prednisone to help control a lupus flare while preventing more severe steroid side effects.