Prednisone is a steroid that belongs to a class of meds called corticosteroids. This med is used to control the actions of your immune system. This control is needed while treating allergic conditions, mainly those caused by autoimmune medical conditions. The key items present in prednisone help reduce the responses of your immune system. This steroidal drug is not an over the counter (OTC) medication; its use hence is strictly as per the instructions of your treating physician. But, how long does it take for your system to discharge the main chemicals used in this med? It is important to know more on this.
Corticosteroids – such as prednisone – are used as part of several types of medication plans. One of the key applications of these forms of steroids is for curing inflammation as well as internal swelling. Prednisone is a commonly prescribed corticosteroid; its application is mainly recommended for pain in joints, skin conditions, immune system based disorders, onset of allergic reactions, etc.
How long does it take prednisone to leave your system?
The half-life period of this drug hovers in the range of 3.5 hours. It is the duration needed for reducing the levels of the drug in your plasma by half. In sum, it can take nearly 20 hours for the chemicals present in prednisone to get discharged out of your body. This is because – as a thumb rule – your body needs about 5.6-times of half-life period to eliminate most of the traces of a drug.
How fast your body discharges this drug also depends on the strength of each doses of prednisone, how efficient is your metabolism, your body mass index level, and last but not least, other physical aspects such as your age, existing health condition and presence of prior ailments, if any. On the body mass index, the bulkier you are, it is likely for the drug’s ingredients to stay inside your system for a fairly longer time.
On the age factor, elderly users of prednisone are more likely to see the drug (and its key ingredients) to linger inside for a stretched timespan. The same applies for people with poor health conditions – especially, renal or hepatic impairments; such users may also see an elongation of the time taken to discharge this steroid and the key chemicals used in it.
How to use this steroidal med?
It is essential to continue your dosage plan till your treating doctor tells you to stop. Also, no two individuals – living with allergic reactions – are recommended with the same dosage plan. Your treatment plan hence depends on your body weight, gender, age, severity of your medical condition as well as onset of prior disorder / diseases, if any. Those who have hypersensitivity to the active ingredients of prednisone must inform their doctor of such reactions.
It can be dangerous to stop taking this med during the course of your treatment, i.e., without the consent of your treating doctor. Those who stopped this drug without tapering off the dosages experienced severe spells of migraines, excessive levels of tiredness, muscular weakness, abdominal conditions such as nausea, vomiting and / or dyspepsia (indigestion). Upon sensing one or more of these side effects, it is a good practice to seek medical help on an emergency mode.
Your treating doctor will taper off the last few dosages of prednisone in a gradual way. This tapered approach is essential to prevent a likely onset of withdrawal signs like dizziness, drowsiness as well as tremors. While taking this drug it is unsafe to perform activities needing a high level of mental concentration and focus. Stay away from engaging in activities such as working with heavy machines or driving. In the same light, it can be dangerous to perform adventurous activities such as jumping, swimming or cycling.