Medication:

Prednisone

Expected Pharmacological Action: Prednisone is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids. Prednisone prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Therapeutic Uses: Prednisone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders. Side/Adverse Effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to prednisone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: * blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; * swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; * severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions); * bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood; * pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); * low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or * dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). Less serious prednisone side effects may include: * sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; * acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration; * slow wound healing; * increased sweating headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; * nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or * changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

Corticosteroids may cause hypernatremia, hypokalemia, fluid retention, and elevation in blood pressure. These mineralocorticoid effects are most significant with fludrocortisone, followed by hydrocortisone and cortisone, then by prednisone and prednisolone. The remaining corticosteroids, betamethasone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and triamcinolone, have little mineralocorticoid activities. However, large doses of any corticosteroid can demonstrate these effects, particularly if given for longer than brief periods. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting fluid retention, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and/or renal dysfunction. Dietary sodium restriction and potassium supplementation may be advisable. Corticosteroids may elevate serum triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels if used for longer than brief periods. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during prolonged corticosteroid therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen Food/Medication Interactions: A total of 659 drugs (2805 brand and generic names) are known to interact with prednisone. Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, mifepristone, quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as warfarin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen). Aspirin can increase the risk of side effects when used with this medication. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), Nursing Administration: Physician Administer 5mg of Prednisone PO BID as prescribed by

Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness: reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions