Question 1

is it true that a person taking prednisone regularly should avoid grapefruit, and if so - why? if not, what foods should be avoided? (dose is 10 mg)

Accepted Answer

No: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should not affect the metabolism and serum levels of prednisone. You may need to increase dietary intake of pyridoxine, vitamin c, vitamin d, folate, calcium, and phosphorus. Taking Prednisone may also require decreased dietary intake of sodium.

Question 2

how do i avoid gaining weight while taking prednisone?

Accepted Answer

The basics: Limit calorie intake and increase exercise.  Prednisone may interfering your sugar metabolism.  Low carbs always a good idea.

Question 3

i have pancreatitis caused by medication (prednisone 50mg) i would like to know what foods i can't eat and what foods i should eat.  thanks?

Accepted Answer

Protein: The pancreas is a large gland in your upper abdomen, behind your intestine and stomach, which produces enzymes to digest foods, particularly carbohydrate and fats. The two main enzymes are amylase and lipase, and levels of these two chemicals can be measured in your blood when you have pancreatitis. So to your question, a high protein diet may be the best choice when your pancreatitis is active.

Question 4

what does it mean to have a suppressed immune system?  e.g the immune system was suppressed by prednisone? does it mean that you have to avoid people?

Accepted Answer

Prednisone: Prednisone does suppress the Immune system.  However it depends on how much and for how long.  As a rule within 2 to 4 weeks your immune system should bounce back to normal. People on prednisone or recovering from being on prednisone usually do no have to avoid people.

Question 5

is there any way to avoid weight gain with  prednisone?

Accepted Answer

Willpower: Prednisone is an appetite stimulant.  Watch what you eat -- it will sneak up on you!  the drug does also cause some water retention, that part can't be avoided.

Question 6

i have lupus and i'm on prednisone. i was on a high dosage starting at 60mg and now i'm tapering down to 5mg will certain foods cause a flare up?

Accepted Answer

Only if allergic: Foods should not cause flare up of lupus unless you,'re allergic. If you,'re sensitive you may find some foods make you feel more arthritis but they,'re not causing a flare.

Question 7

how do i explain to a 7 year old why he can't have sugar/salty foods while on prednisone?

Accepted Answer

Won't help: The average 7yo remains somewhat caught up with santa & the tooth fairy & at that level any complex reasoning you try is likely a waste of time. At ten, when most don't accept the myths anymore it is because they are developing reasoning skills.At 7, clearly state what you expect of him, give a time frame, consider rewarding compliance. Repeat as necessary. Good luck.

Question 8

is it safe to take dayquil/nyquil while taking prednisone? 
i take 20mg in the morning with food as directed. ) 
or could i take nyquil since the time difference is one in the morning and one at night?
thank you?

Accepted Answer

Nyquil night: You may also take an over the counter cold remedy while on prednisone. Watch for signs of worsening cough, fever and shortness of breath.  Monitor your temperature and drink clear fluids. The prednisone will help to treat inflammation, but does not treat infection.

Question 9

my friend gave me some pizza with pepperoni & mushrooms. after eating a slice i found out it had left it in her car for half the day with temps in the 80s. should i be concerned about food poisoning now? also been taking prednisone for 3 days?

Accepted Answer

: Yes. Possible to get bacterial growth on any of the ingredients, with production of “toxin” by the bacteria However, usually will get symptoms immediately or a few hours after eating. If still feel well after that timeframe you probably “dodged the bullet”.

Question 10

why does prednisone make your heart race hours after you take the medicine? i am currently taking it for asthma. i take it in the morning with food and then hours later my heart is racing near 116. i am taking a higher dosage of the medicine.

Accepted Answer

Side effect: Tachycardia- heart rate &gt; 100/min or bradycardia- heart rate &lt; 60/min are among the most commonly seen side effects to steroids in general with atrial fibrillation, heart fast and irregular as high as more than 10% of patients in post marketing studies. Talk to your prescribing doc about your symptoms and taper as instructed.

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Doctor answers about:

Foods to avoid when taking prednisone

A member asked:

Is it true that a person taking prednisone regularly should avoid grapefruit, and if so - why? if not, what foods should be avoided? (dose is 10 mg)

A member asked:

How do i avoid gaining weight while taking prednisone?

A member asked:

I have pancreatitis caused by medication (prednisone 50mg) i would like to know what foods i can't eat and what foods i should eat. thanks?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have a suppressed immune system? e.g the immune system was suppressed by prednisone? does it mean that you have to avoid people?

A member asked:

Is there any way to avoid weight gain with prednisone?

A member asked:

I have lupus and i'm on prednisone. i was on a high dosage starting at 60mg and now i'm tapering down to 5mg will certain foods cause a flare up?

A member asked:

How do i explain to a 7 year old why he can't have sugar/salty foods while on prednisone?

A member asked:

Is it safe to take dayquil/nyquil while taking prednisone? i take 20mg in the morning with food as directed. ) or could i take nyquil since the time difference is one in the morning and one at night? thank you?

A member asked:

My friend gave me some pizza with pepperoni & mushrooms. after eating a slice i found out it had left it in her car for half the day with temps in the 80s. should i be concerned about food poisoning now? also been taking prednisone for 3 days?

A member asked:

Why does prednisone make your heart race hours after you take the medicine? i am currently taking it for asthma. i take it in the morning with food and then hours later my heart is racing near 116. i am taking a higher dosage of the medicine.

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