Prednisone

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD, on April 22, 2023
Written by Amber Watson, PharmD

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prednisone oral tablet for treating the following conditions and others:

• eye conditions, such as inflammation of the cornea
• rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• allergic conditions, such as eczema
• cancers, such as lymphoma

This article describes prednisone oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for prednisone.

Prednisone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of prednisone oral tablet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about prednisone oral tablet’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for prednisone oral tablet.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with prednisone oral tablet are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Prednisone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• weight gain
• increased appetite
• headache
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• increased sweating
• fluid buildup
• digestive side effects, such as upset stomach, nausea, and abdominal swelling
• muscle wasting or weakness
• thinned skin or slow wound healing
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for prednisone” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of prednisone oral tablet are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Prednisone oral tablet’s serious side effects include:

• seizure
• mental health conditions, such as psychosis (loss of touch with reality) and depression
• bone fracture 
• eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma
• Cushing syndrome (high level of cortisol hormone)
• adrenal insufficiency (a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of certain hormones)
• high blood sugar
• high blood pressure
• low blood potassium level
• high risk of infection
• ulcers (sores) in the upper small intestine or stomach
• pancreas swelling and damage
• osteoporosis (low bone density)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for prednisone” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about prednisone oral tablet.

How does prednisone compare with other similar drugs, such as prednisolone or methylprednisolone?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It’s used for many conditions that involve inflammation (swelling and damage). Examples include rheumatoid arthritis and eczema.

Prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others) and methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol) are examples of other corticosteroids that can be used for similar conditions.

Each of these medications comes as an oral tablet. Prednisolone and methylprednisolone also come in forms that are injected. And prednisolone comes as an eye drop and other forms that are taken by mouth.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how prednisone compares with similar drugs, including their side effects, dosages, and more.

Can prednisone be used for cough or bronchitis?

Possibly, in certain situations.

Doctors may not prescribe prednisone specifically to treat a cough. But they may prescribe the drug for conditions with cough symptoms, such as sarcoidosis (an inflammatory condition). By treating conditions that cause cough, prednisone may help ease cough as a symptom. 

Prednisone isn’t approved for bronchitis. But this is a possible off-label use of the drug. This means doctors may prescribe the drug for this condition even though it’s not approved to treat it.

With bronchitis, you have inflammation of the airways in your lungs. Prednisone works by reducing inflammation. So, the drug may help treat this condition.

To learn more about prednisone’s possible use for cough or bronchitis, talk with your doctor.

If I stop taking prednisone, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking prednisone. Your risk of withdrawal symptoms is higher if you’ve taken high doses of prednisone or used the drug long term.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you suddenly stop taking a drug your body is used to having. Examples of withdrawal symptoms from prednisone include muscle pain, joint pain, and a feeling of weakness or discomfort.

Due to this risk, it’s recommended that you not stop taking prednisone without first talking with your doctor. If they tell you it’s safe to stop the drug, your doctor may slowly lower your prednisone dosage. Doing so can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you have questions about prednisone and withdrawal symptoms, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.

How does prednisone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug. It’s used for certain conditions involving inflammation.

With inflammation, your immune system is triggered to fight against injury, infection, or another process that may be harmful to your body. In some cases, inflammation happens when your immune system attacks healthy tissues in your body.

Prednisone works by lessening the activity of your immune system. In doing so, the drug can help ease inflammation symptoms.

Prednisone starts working right after you take it. But it may take a few days for the symptoms of your condition to ease after beginning treatment.

Is there a best time of day to take prednisone? What should I do if I miss a dose?

Yes, the recommended best time of day to take prednisone is in the morning. This is what prednisone’s manufacturer recommends.

You’ll likely take prednisone once daily. In some cases, you may take a dose every other day instead. Your doctor will tell you how much prednisone to take and when to take it.

If you miss a dose of prednisone, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist. They can recommend whether to take your missed dose or wait until your next dose is due. 

Can prednisone tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

The manufacturer of prednisone has not stated whether it’s safe to crush, split, or chew the tablets.

If you have trouble swallowing prednisone tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage of prednisone oral tablet your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking prednisone

Prednisone oral tablet is swallowed by mouth. You should take the tablet with food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take prednisone oral tablet. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

See the “Common questions about prednisone” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of prednisone

You should not take more prednisone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

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 with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take prednisone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with prednisone. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen (Advil)
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for prednisone” section below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as prednisone for certain conditions. Approved uses for prednisone oral tablet are described below.

Use for certain conditions involving inflammation

Doctors may prescribe prednisone oral tablet for certain conditions involving inflammation. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children of any age. Depending on the specific condition it’s used to treat, prednisone may be prescribed as a long-term or short-term treatment.

With inflammation, your immune system is triggered to fight against injury, infection, or another process that may be harmful to your body. In some cases, inflammation happens when your immune system attacks healthy tissues in your body.

Prednisone is used to treat many conditions that involve inflammation. Below are a few specific examples:

• eye conditions, such as inflammation of the cornea or inflammation of the optic nerve
• rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
• allergic conditions, such as seasonal allergies and eczema
• cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma
• lung conditions, such as sarcoidosis and pneumonitis
• skin conditions, such as psoriasis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• endocrine (gland and hormone) conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency and high blood calcium levels related to cancer
• collagen (connective tissue) conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis
• blood disorders, such as a low blood platelet levels and low red blood cell levels

To learn more about the uses of prednisone, talk with your doctor.

Information about prednisone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Prednisone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether prednisone oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Prednisone and breastfeeding

There are risks to taking prednisone while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of feeding options for your child and decide whether you should take prednisone while breastfeeding.

Prednisone should be taken cautiously by certain people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Warnings

Prednisone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether prednisone oral tablet is a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take prednisone oral tablet. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• infection, such as tuberculosis
• osteoporosis
• digestive problems, such as stomach ulcers
• diabetes
• eye problems, such as glaucoma
• high blood pressure
• heart failure
• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• liver problems, such as cirrhosis
• mental health conditions, such as depression
• underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid
• nervous system problems, such as myasthenia gravis
• recent exposure to measles or chickenpox
• growth and development in children prescribed the drug

Allergic reaction

Prednisone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to prednisone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe prednisone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to prednisone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for prednisone oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for prednisone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of prednisone in this article.

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

This article describes prednisone oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about prednisone or would like more details about it.

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

• Are there certain short-term side effects from prednisone?
• Will I take prednisone daily or every other day?
• Do I have any health conditions that may increase my risk of side effects with prednisone?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Prednisone- prednisone tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0b2c2085-c4da-4441-ae5e-eefe26fd199e/spl-doc

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.