Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using prednisone as follows:
- Prednisone use can sometimes result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea, vomiting, mild skin rash, and diarrhea. These constitutional symptoms can be self-limiting and resolve in a week or two. Taking prednisone with a small snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- Prednisone use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching. Some patients can present with symptoms of angioneurotic edema, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
- Prostaglandins in the stomach offer protection against development of stomach ulcers. Prednisone by inhibiting overall prostaglandin synthesis, as part of anti-inflammatory activity, reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins in the stomach. This can predispose an individual to increased risk for development of stomach ulcers and inhibit healing in individuals with active stomach ulcers.
