People's Pharmacy

Deltasone

Generic Name:prednisone

Other Brand Names: Meticorten, Cortan, Orasone

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Side Effects and Interactions

At high doses, prednisone can lead to salt and water retention which may raise blood pressure.

Blood pressure should be monitored. Susceptible people may experience low potassium or congestive heart failure.

Prednisone may also cause muscle weakness, weakened bones, peptic ulcer, inflamed pancreas or esophagus, menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances, including reduced ability to handle carbohydrates (insulin problems).

Rash and itching may be a sign of allergy to prednisone.

The skin may also become thin and fragile, with slower wound healing, redness and increased sweating.

Side effects involving the nervous system may include mood swings, personality changes, insomnia, euphoria and depression.

Headache, dizziness and convulsions have also been reported.

Children who must take prednisone should be measured on a regular basis to make sure their growth is not affected.

Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.

If you are taking any other medicines, check with a physician or pharmacist.

Barbiturates, birth control pills, blood thinners like Coumadin, estrogen replacement therapy like Premarin, seizure medicine such as Dilantin or Peganone and the tuberculosis treatment rifampin can all interact seriously with prednisone.

Even over-the-counter drugs like aspirin or Pepto-Bismol may be affected.