Prednisone has a tendency to raise the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which can cause increased body fat or diabetes in some people. 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.
Fluid retention can cause weight gain but as steroids are reduced, fluids will usually reduce as well, along with some of the weight gain. Drinking plenty of water and exercising can help with fluid retention.
Things to avoid (or cut back on) while taking prednisone include: Caffeine: Caffeine can add to the unwanted stimulant effects of prednisone. Combining caffeine with steroids can keep you awake at night or make you feel jittery and anxious.
Corticosteroids may increase the body's loss of magnesium. Some doctors recommend that people taking corticosteroids for more than two weeks supplement with 300–400 mg of magnesium per day. Magnesium has also been reported to interfere with the absorption of dexamethasone.
Also, increase your intake of low-fat foods that have high calcium levels. Some of these include corn, sardines, almonds, broccoli, milk, yogurt, cheese, tofu, cooked soybeans, boiled white beans, and salmon.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance for unwanted effects. Take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.
Eat a well-balanced diet including 2 rich sources of potassium daily, such as orange juice, apricots, banana, cantaloupe, baked potatoes and tomatoes. Do not take potassium supplements unless prescribed by your physician.
If symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever or unusual digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation) occur during corticosteroid therapy, notify your physician.
Choose lean meats, poultry and fish. Avoid fried foods and foods with extra oil, butter, margarine, mayonnaise and the like. Eat foods rich in calcium.
Caffeine and tannins, two sometimes-problematic compounds of black, oolong and green teas, are not listed as being a problem when mixed with Prednisone.
Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If at all possible, don't combine steroids with NSAIDs.
Getting plenty of rest is also essential. This can be difficult because prednisone can interfere with sleep. One way to cope is to improve your sleep hygiene. This includes avoiding food and electronics before bedtime and sleeping in a cool, dark room.
Therefore, for most people on this medication, a high protein diet is beneficial. As well, these protein losses may be compounded by the additional loss of protein during active Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Sources of high protein include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese.
Prednisone can irritate the lining of your stomach and should always be taken with a meal. If your stomach still feels sore after taking prednisone with food, try taking an antacid. If the discomfort persists or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their usual function. The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months.
Effectiveness: Currently recommended to reduce risk of osteoporosis, especially if taking corticosteroids (such as prednisone).
Prednisone generally works very quickly — usually within one to four days — if the prescribed dose is adequate to reduce your particular level of inflammation. Some people notice the effects of prednisone hours after taking the first dose.
A person taking prednisone may want to avoid alcohol until they finish the treatment. Alcohol can worsen some side effects of prednisone, such as immune system suppression, bone weakening, and weight gain. It is best to speak with a doctor to avoid serious complications.
Experts recommend taking a mild and safe over-the-counter sleep aid such as melatonin or chamomile if prednisone is causing sleep disruption or sleep deprivation. Many patients find that this helps to reset their sleep patterns and relieves insomnia.
This depends on your health problem or condition. You may only need a short course of prednisolone for up to 1 week. You may need to take it for longer, even for many years or the rest of your life.
Yes. Prednisone is one of several medications known to cause weight gain. This is usually more likely to happen with long-term use or higher doses.
Talk to your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
But even with short-term use, prednisone can cause changes in your appetite and mood, sweating, and insomnia. Your blood sugar levels can also go up. Typically, these side effects should resolve after you finish your course of prednisone.
The most serious prednisone side effects usually include allergic reactions, infections, gastrointestinal issues and elevated blood sugar. These may occur when people take larger doses or take the medication for long-term treatment.