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Prednisone is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children with a variety of inflammatory conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
These insights are based on 33,209 comments about prednisone from MyLupusTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It lowers inflammation and changes how the immune system responds. In SLE, this helps reduce inflammation and immune activity that can drive flares and symptoms.
Doctors may prescribe prednisone during a flare of SLE. It may also be used as maintenance treatment in selected cases.
Prednisone comes in several forms.
Delayed-release tablets — These tablets start releasing prednisone about four hours after they are taken. Take them once a day with food. Swallow them whole. Do not break, divide, or chew them.
Immediate-release tablets — Take these tablets exactly as your doctor tells you. The dose and timing depend on how severe the lupus is and how you respond to treatment.
Oral solution and concentrated oral solution — The regular oral solution contains 5 milligrams in 5 milliliters. The concentrated solution contains 5 milligrams in 1 milliliter. A once-daily dose is usually taken in the morning. If more than one dose is needed, the doses may be spread out during the day. Taking prednisone with food or milk may help reduce stomach upset.
No single dose is right for everyone with lupus.
A doctor will choose the dose based on how severe the lupus is and how the person responds. The general starting dose may range from 5 milligrams to 60 milligrams per day, but this range is not specific to lupus.
Delayed-release tablets are taken once a day. Immediate-release tablets and liquid prednisone may be taken once a day, in divided doses, or sometimes every other day.
When lupus improves, the doctor may slowly lower the dose to the lowest amount that still keeps symptoms under control. After long-term treatment, prednisone should usually be reduced slowly rather than stopped suddenly.
Always take prednisone exactly as directed by your doctor.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 33,209 comments about prednisone from MyLupusTeam members.
Members who use prednisone often say it can bring fast relief, but many also describe a trade-off between symptom control and side effects. Across the community, members most often encourage others to stay in close contact with their doctors about tapering, side effects, blood sugar and blood pressure changes, and longer-term treatment plans.
Talk to your doctor before tapering or stopping.
“Things are good so far since my doctor helped me stop prednisone. … The transition has been smooth, so I guess that means it was a good taper.”
Ask your doctor to monitor blood sugar and blood pressure.
“The doctor recently ran bloodwork and found that I now have steroid-induced type 2 diabetes. I would have your doctor check your blood sugar levels to make sure the same thing isn’t happening for you.”
Report mood or sleep changes early.
“It really helped with loosening up my shoulder and making it feel so much better, but the part I hate is it makes me really emotional. There were times I had mania and insomnia.”
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People taking prednisone may experience common side effects, including:
Prednisone can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
During longer-term treatment, your doctor may check your blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, and potassium level, and order other tests. Some people may also need a chest X-ray.
Do not receive live or weakened live vaccines while taking doses of prednisone that weaken the immune system.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to prednisone or any of its ingredients.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Be sure to mention if you are taking:
Tell your doctor if you have an infection, have had tuberculosis or hepatitis B, or were recently exposed to chickenpox or measles.
Do not take prednisone if you have had a serious allergic reaction to prednisone or any of its ingredients. Some immediate-release tablets and liquid prednisone products should also not be used if you have a fungal infection that has spread through the body. Your doctor may make an exception if prednisone is needed to treat a serious drug reaction.
Do not stop taking prednisone suddenly, especially after long-term treatment. Your doctor may lower the dose slowly. Call your doctor if you develop a fever or other signs of infection.
Prednisone is also FDA approved to treat certain allergic, skin, digestive, blood, eye, lung, kidney, hormone, nervous system, and rheumatic conditions, as well as some cancers, serious infections, and organ transplant rejection.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take an extra dose unless they tell you to.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking prednisone, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Prednisone may harm a fetus, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Small amounts of prednisone and its active form, prednisolone, may pass into breast milk.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is prednisone for SLE?
Prednisone is used to reduce inflammation and calm immune system activity during lupus flares. It may also be used as ongoing treatment in selected people with SLE.
The available product information does not include lupus-specific clinical trial results or a response rate. Because of this, it does not show exactly how many people with lupus improve or how much improvement to expect.
Can prednisone cause weight gain with SLE treatment?
Yes. Prednisone can increase appetite and cause weight gain. It can also cause the body to hold extra salt and water, which may lead to swelling and a higher body weight. With longer use or higher doses, prednisone may also cause fat to collect in different parts of the body or cause a rounded face.
The available product information does not say how often weight gain happens specifically in people being treated for SLE.
What medicines should be avoided with prednisone?
Prednisone can interact with many medicines. Some combinations should be avoided, while others may require dose changes or closer monitoring.
Live or weakened live vaccines should not be given to people taking prednisone doses that suppress the immune system.
Use extra caution when taking:
These combinations may increase the risk of bleeding, low potassium, high blood sugar, seizures, tendon problems, heart rhythm changes, or stronger prednisone side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, vaccines, and herbal supplements you use. Do not start or stop anything without medical guidance.
On MyLupusTeam, people share their experiences with lupus, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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