Prednisone oral tablet dosage

This article describes prednisone’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for prednisone. If you want to know more about prednisone, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Prednisone oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Prednisone also comes in an oral solution, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strengths of prednisone

Prednisone oral tablets are immediate-release tablets that you swallow. (“Immediate release” means the drug releases into your body right away after taking a dose.)

The tablets are available in the following strengths:

• 1 milligram (mg)
• 2.5 mg
• 5 mg
• 10 mg
• 20 mg
• 50 mg

Dosage of prednisone

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for prednisone oral tablets. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of prednisone oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of prednisone in adults

The dosage of prednisone oral tablets depends on the condition they are treating. You may take a higher dosage at first, which your doctor may decrease over time. In some cases, you may take a dose every 2 days instead of every day. Your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of prednisone tablets that gives the desired outcome.

The information below summarizes dosages that doctors commonly prescribe for prednisone’s approved uses. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.

Dosage for various conditions

For its approved uses, the recommended dose of prednisone oral tablets is 5 milligrams (mg) to 60 mg. You’ll take this dose once per day. The actual dose depends on the condition being treated. For example, some conditions require a low dose of prednisone, such as 5 mg once or twice daily. Other conditions may require a higher dosage, such as 20 mg once or twice daily.

Prednisone is approved to treat:

• endocrine conditions, such as Addison’s disease
• rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• collagen disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus
• skin problems, such as psoriasis
• allergic reactions, including asthma and dermatitis
• eye diseases, such as optic neuritis
• breathing problems, such as tuberculosis
• blood disorders, including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• certain blood cancers, such as leukemia
• severe swelling
• certain gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcerative colitis
• tuberculous meningitis
• trichinosis affecting the heart or nerves

To help reduce side effects, your doctor may recommend taking twice the recommended dose every 2 days.

Dosage for multiple sclerosis flare-up

For a multiple sclerosis flare-up, the recommended dosage of prednisone oral tablets depends on the treatment week. In week 1, you’ll take 200 mg once per day. Then in weeks 2 through 5, you’ll take 80 mg once every 2 days.

Dosages of prednisone in children

Prednisone oral tablet is approved for use in children up to 17 years of age. The recommended dosage of prednisone in children may be based on their body weight. Your child’s doctor will determine the right dosage for your child.

Dosage adjustments for prednisone

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of prednisone tablets based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have, including kidney problems or high blood pressure
• whether you’ll take the drug short term or long term*

* In most cases, doctors will prescribe prednisone for the shortest time needed to treat your condition. In some cases, they may recommend taking prednisone long term. In this case, they may suggest you take it every 2 days instead of daily. Doing so may help lower your risk of certain side effects that could occur with long-term use. To learn more about this dosing option, talk with your doctor.

Missed dose of prednisone

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any missed doses of prednisone oral tablets. They can advise whether you should take the missed dose. Or they can advise whether you should skip it and take your next scheduled dose.

For tips on planning doses of prednisone oral tablets and avoiding missed doses, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm.

How prednisone is taken

You’ll take prednisone oral tablets by swallowing them, typically once per day. Taking them with a meal or glass of milk may lessen or help prevent an upset stomach. If needed, you may cut prednisone tablets in half or crush them. But you should not chew the tablets.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. Doing so helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. This can help the drug work more effectively. If you take prednisone tablets once per day, you’ll likely take them in the morning.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Prednisone coupon

Cost can be a primary consideration when taking a medication. You may save money on your prescription for prednisone oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupon.

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for prednisone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Frequently asked questions

This section presents answers to some questions commonly asked about prednisone oral tablets and dosage.

What’s a usual prednisone 5-day dosage? Is there a certain prednisone pack dosage available?

Your dosage and package of prednisone oral tablets will depend on some factors. These include what your doctor orders and what your pharmacy has in stock. The following dose packs may be available:

• 5-mg tablets:
  • pack of 21
  • pack of 48
• 10-mg tablets:
  • pack of 21
  • pack of 48

If a dose pack isn’t appropriate for your prescription, the pharmacist may dispense the tablets in a bottle. (An example is when a doctor prescribes a prednisone 20-mg dose for 5 days for a specific condition.) In either case, they would include a written schedule of how to take the tablets.

If you have questions about how to take prednisone oral tablets, ask your pharmacist.

Do doctors prescribe 5-day prednisone dosages for sinusitis, bronchitis, or back pain?

Prednisone tablets aren’t approved to treat sinusitis, bronchitis, or back pain. But sometimes doctors prescribe medications for an unapproved use. (This means the drug is used off-label.)

Prednisone decreases swelling. For this reason, a doctor might recommend it for treating sinusitis, bronchitis, or back pain.

Ask your doctor for more information if you have questions about an off-label use of prednisone.

Is there a prednisone dosage chart for dogs?

Prednisone may sometimes be administered to dogs. But do not administer prednisone to a dog without proper medical guidance.

If you have questions about giving prednisone to a pet, ask your veterinarian. They can provide specific dosage information, such as a dosage chart, if appropriate.

Does prednisone treat poison ivy reactions? If so, what’s the recommended dosage for poison ivy?

Prednisone is approved to treat certain types of dermatitis (allergic skin reaction). So it’s possible that a doctor might recommend it for treating reactions to poison ivy.

Ask your doctor if you have questions about prednisone for this use. To see recommended dosages of prednisone oral tablets for dermatitis, see the “Dosage of prednisone” section above.

Is prednisone used long term?

It might be, although doctors typically prescribe prednisone oral tablets as a short-term treatment. But, in certain cases, doctors may recommend long-term use of the drug.

You and your doctor can determine whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you feel it is, they’ll advise you on how long you’ll likely take it.

Overdose of prednisone

It’s important that you do not take more prednisone tablets than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

What to do if you take too much prednisone

If you think you’ve taken too much prednisone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or, you could call 800-222-1222 to speak to someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use the online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for prednisone oral tablets. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of prednisone tablets without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take prednisone oral tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes them.

Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my dosage of prednisone oral tablets change if the current dosage isn’t working for my condition?
• Will I need to taper my dosage of prednisone if my doctor says to stop taking it?
• Will I have more side effects with a higher dosage of prednisone oral tablets than with a lower dosage?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.