Prednisone is an FDA-approved prescription drug that helps treat several conditions. Those include allergies, inflammatory diseases, and immune system disorders like lupus. This medication is categorized under the class of glucocorticoids, imitating the actions of cortisol. Cortisols are the hormones that are naturally formed by the adrenal glands.Generally, a dose of 40 mg of tablet in a day is considered a high dose of Prednisone, according to the doctors. However, it entirely depends on the overall health condition of the patients, which determines the proper dosages. As everyone body reacts differently, this quantity might be adequate for one, while others may experience some side effects.To fully understand what is a high dose of prednisone? And it is possible side effects, so let us explore the article thoroughly. Read on!
What Are The Recommended Doses Of Prednisone?
Here are the recommended Prednisone dosages for adults and children:
1. Prednisone Dose For Adults
At starting, doctors may prescribe a dosage of prednisolone that falls under 5 mg-60 mg daily. They may change the quantity after some time to get the desired results for better health. So, in some cases, 5 mg daily can work effectively, while in other conditions, you may need 40 mg(a high dose of Prednisone) every day.
2. Prednisone Dose For Children
When it comes to children, the dosage might be low as compared to adults. This is all because of the difference in weight and height. The standard dosage is 0.05 mg to 2 mg per kg daily, usually divided into 1 to 4 daily doses. However, the maximum dosage can vary according to the condition that needs to be treated.
In short, the appropriate dosages of Prednisone are:
- Low dose of Prednisone: less than 7.5 milligrams per day
- Average dose of Prednisone: between 7.5 milligrams-40 milligrams per day
- High dose of Prednisone: 40 milligrams-60 milligrams per day
What Is A High Dose Of Prednisone?
The dosage of Prednisone is wholly based on health issues and the duration of the course prescribed. Usually, the dose ranges between 5 mg- 60 mg. However, some patients may be advised to take above 40 mg occasionally, which is considered a high dose of Prednisone.
The strength of the Prednisone tablets varies from 1 mg to 25 mg, while liquid form is either 1mg or 10 mg per ml. Healthcare providers provide low doses of this medicine for a short period. If it does not show any effects, its use is discontinued immediately. They adjust the dose and intake duration based on the patient health condition and response to the treatment.
This is the reason why doctors carefully recommend the dosage of Prednisone. An overdose can lead to severe side effects of prednisone. Learn about them.
Is 40 mg Of Prednisone A High Dose?
Yes, 40 mg of Prednisone is a relatively high dose that can adversely affect your health. The body of each individual reacts differently to this medicine. Some may tolerate the dosage well, while others may experience a few noticeable side effects.
The short-term effects of 40 mg of Prednisone are mood changes, increased appetite, sleeping problems, and weight gain. These health issues can be temporary and decrease on treatment completion or dosage tapering.
However, the long-term effects of this medicine include many adverse issues like osteoporosis, diabetes, and loss of muscle tissue. Therefore, doctors limit the duration of prednisone intake to prevent the potential risks.
Is 50 mg Of Prednisone A High Dose?
Certain factors can impact the use of 50 mg of Prednisone. Those include the patient response to the last treatment, the seriousness condition, and the expected health results.
Doctors usually consider the severity of the symptoms while recommending the correct dosage. If the condition is severe or not fully responsive to low doses, 50mg of Prednisone may be advised. This high dosage can give a more effective anti-inflammatory effect by preventing inflammation and appropriately curing symptoms.
Though a high dose of Prednisone provides instant relief, it also increases the chances of some severe side effects. Those can be mood changes, fluid retention, and a rise in blood sugar levels. So, taking the potential benefits and risks into consideration, doctors prescribe 50mg of Prednisone.
What Are The Side Effects Of High Dose Prednisone?
A high dose of Prednisone hurts your immunity. It prevents your immune system from responding to any illness. This medicine can also affect other functions of the body. Long-term use can increase the risks at high doses.
Here are the severe side effects of high-dose Prednisone:
- Possibilities of weak bones, leading to spinal and long bone fractures, osteoporosis, or collapse of bone tissue
- Mental health issues such as psychosis, personality changes, mood swings, or depression
- Skin problems such as redness, thinning, bruising, and even bleeding under the skin
- Effects on certain body glands
- Intense allergic reaction
- Poor eye health like glaucoma, bulging eyes, and cataracts
- Pancreas inflammation or stomach swelling
- Stomach Ulcers or esophagus
- Abnormal menstrual cycle, high blood sugar level, and slow growth in children
Also, have a look at the list of mild side effects of Prednisone:
- excessive sweating
- increased appetite
- slow wound recovery
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- muscle weakness
- fluid retention
- mood swings
- headache
- restlessness
- nausea
- weight gain
- insomnia
- skin thinning
- mild allergic reaction
What Is A 5-Day Prednisone Dosage?
A study says a 5-day prednisone dosage is generally prescribed by doctors for emergency cases like breathing problems, different types of pains, or rashes. It often starts at a 40 mg dose of Prednisone.
This 5-day typical dosage taper is as follows:
- Day 1 : 40 mg dose of Prednisone, two 20 mg tablets.
- Day 2 : 30 mg dose of Prednisone that is 1.5 portions of 20 mg tablets.
- Day 3 : 20 mg dose of Prednisone, that is, one 20 mg tablet.
- Day 4 : 10 mg dose of Prednisone that is half part of a 20 mg tablet.
- Day 5 : 5 mg dose of Prednisone that is 1/4 portion of a 20 mg tablet.
- Day 6 : Stop it immediately.
This 5-day dosage taper of Prednisone is generally specific but could be altered by your healthcare providers in several ways. Doctors may prescribe 10 mg doses instead of 20 mg. They can also advise to take 40 mg of medicine every day for 5 days and then ask to stop.
However, they can sometimes recommend the tablet at 20 mg and reduce it by 5 mg daily. All of these are regular doses of Prednisone.
What Is The Lowest Dose Of Prednisone You Can Take?
According to the research study, 5 or 10 mg is the lowest dose of Prednisone. It helps prevent inflammatory symptoms of early polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, this lower medicine dosage is also known to slow down the bony damage of rheumatoid arthritis. Hence, it is the disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
How To Take A Dose Of Prednisone?
Well, Prednisone is consumed in a tablet or oral solution form. This medication is generally taken with food or milk. Usually, healthcare providers advise to have it in the morning time. The medicine can coordinate and function well with the natural cycle of the body corticosteroid production.
However, in some cases, the time of having the doses may differ.
- Take the prescribed Prednisone as advised. The dosage might change if doctors recommend tapering (Tapering means to lower the medication dosage after some time).
- Doctors may advise a specific time of the day to have the tablet. So, it is crucial to follow the schedule properly to have potential effects.
- Do not take a double dose. If you miss having your medicine at any time, consult your healthcare provider.
- Only stop taking this tablet with your doctor’s consent.
- Decrease the use of sugar and salt in your everyday diet.
Wrapping Up
Different types of corticosteroids are available in the market to work efficiently on your immune system. Among them, Prednisone is an effective medicine that treats several health issues. It is the best medication for preventing severe allergies to chronic asthma problems.According to the healthcare providers, a dosage above 40 mg is considered a high dose of Prednisone. So, consult them for better health before taking it. We hope you found this article informative and got all the answers about this medication in detail.
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