Prednisone

What it treats

Wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions: asthma/COPD flares, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, certain cancers (as part of chemotherapy regimens), organ transplant rejection prevention, and many others as directed by a prescriber.

Typical dosing

Highly variable by condition and severity, there is no single "typical dose": • Adults: commonly 5-60 mg/day depending on the condition being treated, sometimes higher for severe autoimmune flares or transplant contexts. • Pediatric: typically weight-based, roughly 1-2 mg/kg/day for many indications, per prescriber. • Best taken with food, in the morning, to mirror the body's natural cortisol rhythm and reduce stomach upset. ⚠️ TAPER WARNING: if you've taken prednisone for more than about 7-14 days, NEVER stop suddenly. Your adrenal glands slow their own cortisol production during treatment, and abrupt discontinuation can cause adrenal crisis, a medical emergency with symptoms like severe fatigue, low blood pressure, nausea/vomiting, and confusion. Your prescriber will give you a tapering schedule that gradually lowers the dose.

Monitoring

Blood glucose (especially in diabetics or long courses), blood pressure, bone density with long-term use, eye exams (cataracts/glaucoma) with prolonged use, and watching for signs of infection since immune response is blunted.

Side effects

Short-term: increased appetite, mood changes/insomnia, fluid retention, elevated blood sugar. Long-term or high-dose use raises the risk of: hyperglycemia/diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis (bone thinning, calcium and vitamin D supplementation is often recommended), Cushingoid features (round face, fat redistribution), cataracts and glaucoma, GI ulcers (especially combined with NSAIDs), increased infection risk from immune suppression, and adrenal (HPA axis) suppression.

Interactions to know

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) combined with prednisone significantly raise GI bleeding/ulcer risk. Avoid live vaccines (MMR, varicella, live nasal flu vaccine, etc.) while on immunosuppressive doses, discuss timing with your prescriber. Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampin, certain anticonvulsants) can reduce prednisone's effectiveness by speeding its breakdown.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

FDA Pregnancy Category C. Generally used when benefits outweigh risks. Some studies suggest a small increased risk of cleft palate with first-trimester use. Discuss risk-benefit with your OB/prescriber, especially for chronic use.

Additional notes

Take with food to reduce stomach upset; morning dosing is preferred to match natural cortisol rhythm and minimize insomnia. Carry a steroid alert card/wallet card if on long-term therapy, since your body may not be able to mount a normal stress response (illness, surgery, injury) without extra steroid coverage.

Live price snapshot

Frequently asked questions

How much does Prednisone cost without insurance?

As of the latest check, the lowest verified cash price we've found for Prednisone is $4.00 at H-E-B Pharmacy, across 4 verified sources. Cash prices are unregulated and vary by pharmacy, so compare before you fill and confirm the price at the counter.

Is there a generic for Prednisone?

Yes. Prednisone is the generic; it is also sold under brand names such as Deltasone, Rayos. The generic is typically far cheaper than brand and is what our verified cash prices reflect.

Can I use the free BetterBuyRx discount card for Prednisone?

Yes. The free BetterBuyRx discount card is compared live on the drug page and, when a partner network prices Prednisone, shows the card price with its BIN, PCN, Group, and Member ID. It can't be combined with insurance.

Why does the price of Prednisone vary so much between pharmacies?

U.S. cash prescription prices are unregulated, each pharmacy sets its own markup, and discount programs and mail-order sources widen the spread further (this is common across the Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) class). That's why comparing verified prices before you fill can save money.