What helps with prednisone withdrawal symptoms?

Prednisone is a generic prescription drug that helps treat a range of conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

It’s available in different forms, including:

• oral tablets
• oral liquid solutions
• injectable forms (given by a healthcare professional)

Prednisone is also available under several brand names, such as Deltasone and Rayos.

Prednisone is a type of steroid called a corticosteroid. When a person stops taking prednisone or other steroids suddenly, they may experience withdrawal. This is why a doctor will recommend tapering off prednisone gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• fatigue
• irritability
• dizziness
• changes in mood
• joint or muscle pain
• low appetite
• nausea
• low blood pressure

The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms usually vary based on the length of time a person was taking prednisone and the dose they were taking.

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How to manage prednisone withdrawal

To help manage prednisone withdrawal symptoms, doctors will typically recommend tapering off prednisone. Tapering off means gradually reducing the dosage of prednisone over time instead of stopping it abruptly. This helps your body adjust to the change and helps reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms and other complications.

To taper prednisone, it takes about a month or longer. Your taper timeline will vary based on how long you have been taking prednisone. Doctors often recommend tapering if you have taken prednisone for 7 days or more, or if you have been taking a higher dose for 5 days or more. Keep in mind that there’s no specific time frame for tapering that’ll work for everyone.

Also, tapering off prednisone, here are a few additional steps that may help manage prednisone withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Gentle movement: Muscles and joints may become stiff if you don’t move them for too long. Some light exercises like walking, stretching, tai chi, gentle yoga, or warm-water pool exercises may help with muscle and joint aches and pain. 
• Stress and anxiety management: Prednisone mimics the chemical cortisol, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. Stopping prednisone may trigger excess stress or anxiety. Including strategies like meditation and counseling can help manage it. Talking with a therapist, friend, or family member about your feelings can also help you feel supported.
• Physical therapy: Learning specific exercises to help move your body in a safe way can help with the pain that may come with prednisone withdrawal. 
• Adequate sleep: Prednisone may disrupt your sleep, but you can take certain steps to increase the amount of rest you get each night. Try to sleep in a cool, quiet place, and avoid naps. Some people find that going to sleep at a scheduled time each night is helpful, and make sure you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

How to flush prednisone out of your system

The best way to flush prednisone out of your system is to slowly taper down to smaller doses until you aren’t taking it anymore. This will help avoid withdrawal side effects. No medically approved way is available currently to flush prednisone out of your system faster.

Some ways you can support your body as you taper and flush prednisone out of your system safely include:

• Take care of your liver: Prednisone is processed in your liver, so it’s important to maintain your liver health. Avoiding or limiting alcohol, reducing the amount of processed food you eat, and eating lots of antioxidant-rich foods will help support your liver.
• 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. However, it’s important to listen to your body. Be careful not to overdo it as you are tapering off prednisone, as it may increase certain side effects.
• Avoid taking unnecessary medications: Medications that you take get processed by your liver. This may slow down the process of flushing out prednisone.

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What foods and supplements help with prednisone withdrawal?

Certain foods and supplements may help support your body and minimize prednisone withdrawal symptoms as you taper off the drug. Some examples include:

• Fiber-rich foods: High fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help regulate your metabolism and support the function of your liver. Keep in mind that your liver processes prednisone.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol: To help your adrenal glands and your body readjust to lower levels of prednisone, try to avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol. Older studies show that caffeine and alcohol may interfere with your adrenal glands. Caffeine may worsen the side effects of prednisone, including anxiety. Alcohol may increase inflammation, put extra stress on your liver, and amplify certain side effects from prednisone.
• Turmeric: Consuming turmeric or a turmeric supplement may help reduce inflammation which can be a side effect of stopping prednisone.
• B vitamins: Taking prednisone long term can affect the levels of B vitamins in your body. Taking B6 and B5 can help support your adrenal hormones. Prednisone may also reduce levels of B9 and B12 in the body, so doctors may recommend taking a supplement of these.
• Reduce your intake of processed foods and sweets: These types of foods may increase inflammation in your body, which may increase the side effects of prednisone withdrawal.

Summary

The best way to manage prednisone withdrawal side effects is to taper off your dose slowly with the help of your doctor. This will ensure that your body has time to adjust at its own pace.

Also, getting enough sleep, including regular physical movement and gentle exercise into your routine, avoiding processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine, and eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet may help you avoid prednisone withdrawal symptoms.