Glucocorticoids are meds used to minimise the activities of immunity cells. Owing to this, these meds are used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases – COPD – like bronchial asthma, asthma or bronchitis, rheumatoid-based diseases, etc. Prednisone is one of the popular meds in this genre. But is 20 mg of prednisone a low dose? It is essential to know more about this.
Glucocorticoids are a type of steroids – belonging to a genre called corticosteroids. These form part of the feedback-response system of your immunity cells. These drugs can act on how such cells are stimulated and can reduce swelling and pains.
What is prednisone?
Prednisone is one of the corticosteroids. It is prescribed for treatment of several clinical conditions such as breathing difficulties, allergies, a few autoimmune conditions, etc. Essential ingredients of prednisone help decrease the activities of immunity cells. This property aids in managing internal swelling and allied discomforts.
PrednisonePrednisone is mostly administered through the oral route. You can take the tablet form with 8 ounces of liquids like fruit juice or water. Drugstores sell it as a suspension as well. Medication plans involve one dose per day, administered in morning time.
Is 20 mg of prednisone a low dose?
A dose of 20 mg of prednisone is considered a moderate dosage. Dosages ranging between 5 mg to 10 mg are of a low strength. In general, 20 mg of prednisone is a standard dose and is well-tolerated by most patients.
A dose of 20 mg can treat conditions such as asthma, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), allergic reactions on skin, and a few eye conditions. As this drug relaxes your immunity cells, it can lessen pain, swelling, redness and itchiness.
Doctors prescribe several dosage strengths ranging from 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, to 60 mg. For adults, dosage vary from 5 – 60 mg. In case of kids and teens, physicians prescribe dosages based on body weight. Beware of a higher dose of prednisone; such dosages can impair organs like kidneys, liver – to name a few.
Those who have missed their dose in the morning are advised not to take it at night. Night time dosages can disrupt sleep cycles. Taking an overdose of prednisone may make you fatigue and also lead to mood swings including depression.
Possible side effects of prednisone
Using prednisone can cause a few undesired outcomes – these include pain in your tummy, increase in body weight, migraine, sleeplessness, mood shifts, dizziness and blurring of eyesight. This drug may also lead to an increase in appetite levels, high level of blood sugar, weakness and tiredness. Those who use this med for long may develop bone conditions like osteoporosis; in some cases, serious eye conditions like glaucoma and cataract may arise.
5-day prednisone dosage A common 5-day prednisone dosage follows a tapering schedule: 40 mg on day 1, then reduce by 10 mg each day—30 mg on day 2, 20 mg on day 3, 10 mg on day 4, and 5 mg on day 5. Always follow your doctor’s instructions, as doses may vary depending on your condition and health history.
Safe use of prednisone
Dosages of prednisone may start with as low as 5 mg and may reach up to 60 mg within a day. Most dosage plans last for a lesser timeline. Caveat: Stopping to use prednisone in an abrupt manner may cause symptoms of drug withdrawal.
Symptoms of drug withdrawal can show up as sleeplessness, stomach upset, tremors, pain in lower abdomen, severe spells of headache, etc. It is to avoid such discomforts your treating physician may taper off the strength of last few dosages.
Prednisone is considered as a safe med for women who are pregnant. However, you are advised to consult with a qualified caregiving team if you are pregnant. Those who are planning to get pregnant must inform of such plans to their caregiver.
In low dosage strengths, corticosteroids like prednisone are safe to use among women who are breastfeeding a baby. However, it is always a safe thing to talk to your doctor if you are nursing an infant. If your baby is turning sleepless, crying incessantly or feeding problems show up, your caregiver may consider prescribing safer alternatives.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Experience: 10 years of writing experience, including articles on infectious diseases and public health for leading health publications and research blogs.
