Prednisone
Sold as Deltasone, Rayos
Prednisone is a glucocorticoid steroid used to reduce inflammation and calm an overactive immune system across a wide range of conditions, from asthma flares to autoimmune disease. Doses and treatment lengths vary enormously by condition — never adjust your own dose or stop suddenly without medical guidance.
Boxed warning
No FDA boxed warning, but the taper/adrenal-suppression risk above is treated with equivalent urgency in this entry because stopping abruptly after extended use can be life-threatening.
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.
Clinical content reviewed by the BetterBuyRx clinical team, on 2026-07-07.
Educational only. Not medical advice. Always confirm with your prescriber or pharmacist.