Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using prednisone as follows:
- Prednisone carries risk for bone resorption and reduced calcium deposition in the bone. This can result in thinning out of bones and contribute to development of pathological fractures. Prednisone is contraindicated or used cautiously in individuals with personal or family history of osteoporosis and pathological fractures.
- Depending on the dose of intake, prednisone use can result in mood swings ranging from euphoria to depression. Individuals can also present with psychosis and aggressive behavior with prednisone intake. Prednisone is contraindicated or used cautiously in individuals with history of mood disorders and psychosis.
- Prednisone use can inhibit the inflammatory response and thus can inhibit migration of white blood cells and healing proteins to damaged and wound tissues. This can contribute to poor wound healing. So, prednisone use is discouraged in individuals with history of chronic nonhealing wounds.
- Prednisone, by inhibiting synthesis of prostaglandins in the stomach, can predispose an individual to development of peptic ulcers or inhibit the healing of peptic ulcers. So, prednisone use is discouraged in individuals with active peptic ulcers and used cautiously in individuals with history of the same.
