Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using prednisone as follows:
- Prednisone, as part of action of body metabolism, increases the breakdown of glycogen to glucose and result in elevated blood glucose levels. This can predispose diabetic patients to poor glycemic control and may necessitate change in dose of antidiabetic medications. Prednisone, by influencing the body metabolism, can significantly increase the appetite and intake, which can contribute to significant weight gain and obesity. This can also contribute to poor blood sugar control in diabetics, with sharp increase in hyperglycemic episodes.
- Prolonged intake of prednisone can result in increased protein and fat breakdown, muscle loss, thinning of skin, weakness, and weight loss.
- Prednisone intake can result in sodium and water retention with loss of potassium from the body. Increased sodium and fluid volume in circulation can contribute to elevated blood pressure readings. This can predispose hypertensive patients to poor blood pressure control and hypertensive crisis and may necessitate change in dose of antihypertensive medications. Also, low potassium levels, secondary to prednisone intake, can result in serious complications of cardiac arrhythmias. Also, fluid retention with prednisone can add extra load on failing heart and complicate the outcome for individuals with history of CHF. Patients can present with increasingly elevated blood pressure readings, worsening edema, exacerbation of episodes of dizziness and confusion, and deteriorating shortness of breath.
