I had to go to the ER for an allergic reaction.There, they gave me Epinephrine Sub-Q and Decadron IV (10mg), Pepcid (20mg), and Benadryl (25mg) all IVP.
The doctor sent me home with an Ativan and Prednisone prescription. This morning, I am to begin taking the prednisone (6 pills @ 10mg) and taper daily 6,5,4,3,2,1. Everyone is saying this is because I can't just abruptly stop taking prednisone... but I never took it to begin with. Should I take these pills? I'm reading all the side effects and not really wanting to.
david - The main use of Prednisone is to treat symptoms of low corticosteroid levels and allergic reactions by acting as an immunosupressant. It is sometimes used in combination with other medications but this is just information and not a complete reference.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra - Yes, you should take them. Prednisone is prescribed following a Severe Allergic Reaction to prevent biphasic reaction. Biphasic reactions are reactions that follow the original reaction and are a result of the allergen still being in your system. Biphasic reactions can occur many days after the original reaction. Prednisone suppresses your immune system a little so that it is less likely you will develop a second phase reaction. The side effects of Prednisone are generally mild when taken following an allergic reaction due to the low dose that you are on. There are severe side effects of prednisone, but those are generally dealing with people who take large doses of prednisone for years on end for other medical problems such as lupus.
ReplyDeleteThe reason you taper off of it is also to prevent an allergic reaction because you are slowly allowing your immune system to return to normal and not shocking it and maybe causing an allergic reaction.
I have taken much larger doses following an allergic reaction(80 mg every 4 hrs for four days, then 60 mg every 4 hours for three days, then 50 mg twice a day for 2 days, then 30 mg twice a day for 3 days, then 30 once a day for 2 days, then 10 every day for 5 days, then stop). I had a higher dose at first because I had had an allergic reaction to food and it was still in my system. I had minor symptoms(feeling a little jittery) but nothing major. I do not take prednisone regularly and only take it following severe reactions.
Please take it to prevent yourself from having a second and possibly more severe reaction!