Question 1

can short term prednisone use cause damage to an older males kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Should not: Would be extremely rare for this to happen. If  u have underlying chronic kidney disease, steroids can cause indirect influences on the kidneys. But again, very rare

Question 2

are there any longer-lasting glucocorticosteroids?  prednisone seems to work very short-term; inflammation returned already (next morning).

Accepted Answer

Yes, but more toxic: For some people, Methylprednisolone lasts and works a little better and  than prednisone. Dexamethasone is a common longer activing steroid but is not used for daily treatment, because longer acting steroids have more steroid side effects. Giving the Prednisone twice a day also has more side effects.

Question 3

will taking prednisone short term (for hives) affect my fertility?

Accepted Answer

No: A short course of corticosteroid would not affect your fertility. However, antihistamine should be used as the first therapy for hives and it is a much safer medication.

Question 4

is this an appropriate way to taper prednisone - 40mg for 6 days, 20mg for 4 days and 10mg for 4 days? is this considered high or low dose and long term or short term use?

Accepted Answer

: This is one acceptable technique of tapering prednisone.  Slower tapers are more prolonged.  I would consider these doses to be moderate and the course of treatment to be short term.

Question 5

intense itching developed recently all over the body, on short term basis am taking prednisone 40mg/day.  what is the steroid to accomplish for the itching?

small reddish patches  after scratching noted on the body gradually disappearing.

Accepted Answer

Prednison:  Steroids reduce inflamation. Consider doing colloidal oatmeal baths as well.

Question 6

long term side effects of short-term prednisone use? took 60,60,40,40,20,20,10,10 mg for migraine. expect any longterm effects?

Accepted Answer

Relatively safe: Prednisone can be very effective for migraine headaches that fail to respond to other medications. Prednisone has many potential serious side effects if taken for a long time, but is relatively safe if taken for only a few days.

Question 7

my doctor prescribed prednisone 20mg tab. for acute tonsillitis for 7 days twice a day. what are the short term side effects?

Accepted Answer

Sugars, appetite: Short use of Prednisone can cause increased appetite, rises in blood sugar, temporary weight gain (mostly fluid), and nervousness.  Often people have no problem with that dose and frequency, and the relieve achieved often overshadows the possible side-effects.

Question 8

my 85yr relative has been on prednisone for 40+ years. they developed short-term memory loss. prolonged prednisone use can cause a build up of cortisol in the pituitary and cause memory loss. if weaned off prednisone could they regain their memory?

Accepted Answer

: You information is not all correct.  Corisol does not build up in the pituitary or cause memory loss.  If they really need it then stopping it all of a sudden may result in an Addisonian Crisis and death depending on how much she is taking. I am not sure who "they" is.  Maybe the relative I guess but not clear.  Discuss with her Dr. if she gives you permission to do so.

Question 9

if i need refills for my asthma medications pro-air and q-var and possibly a short term dose of prednisone for chest congestion from a flu few months back. can i obtain these on healthtap?

Accepted Answer

Not recomended: Self medicating on self diagnosing may contribute to delayed care or lack of appropriate care. Your physician, either PCP or pulmonary specialist or his or her partners should be able to help you. Continuity of care would be seriously affected otherwise. Health Tap is a platform helping patients get medical advise, in your case you seem to need a refill that is easily obtained from your doc.

Question 10

went to er for shoulder pain, doctor said bursitis & gave 50mg prednisone for 5 days. is it ok to take this w/no taper short term?

Accepted Answer

STOP: Tapered prednisone is the worst way to dose it. But a dose of 20mg every day or every other day would be better than 50mg. Not NSAID such as naproxen or ibuprofen? Suggest you see orthopedic Dr instead of ER.

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Doctor answers about:

Short term use of prednisone

A member asked:

Can short term prednisone use cause damage to an older males kidneys?

A member asked:

Are there any longer-lasting glucocorticosteroids? prednisone seems to work very short-term; inflammation returned already (next morning).

A member asked:

Will taking prednisone short term (for hives) affect my fertility?

A member asked:

Is this an appropriate way to taper prednisone - 40mg for 6 days, 20mg for 4 days and 10mg for 4 days? is this considered high or low dose and long term or short term use?

A member asked:

Intense itching developed recently all over the body, on short term basis am taking prednisone 40mg/day. what is the steroid to accomplish for the itching? small reddish patches after scratching noted on the body gradually disappearing.

A member asked:

Long term side effects of short-term prednisone use? took 60,60,40,40,20,20,10,10 mg for migraine. expect any longterm effects?

A member asked:

My doctor prescribed prednisone 20mg tab. for acute tonsillitis for 7 days twice a day. what are the short term side effects?

A member asked:

My 85yr relative has been on prednisone for 40+ years. they developed short-term memory loss. prolonged prednisone use can cause a build up of cortisol in the pituitary and cause memory loss. if weaned off prednisone could they regain their memory?

A member asked:

If i need refills for my asthma medications pro-air and q-var and possibly a short term dose of prednisone for chest congestion from a flu few months back. can i obtain these on healthtap?

A member asked:

Went to er for shoulder pain, doctor said bursitis & gave 50mg prednisone for 5 days. is it ok to take this w/no taper short term?

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