Prednisone or prednisolone for GI Gastroenterology clinic (1025)

Key points below


(Prelone®, Pediapred®, Liquid Pred®, Deltasone®, Prednisone Intensol®, Orasone®, **Orapred®)

Reason for prescribing

Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine. It is often called a steroid. This drug is like the steroid type of hormone that your own body makes. Prednisone is used:

Description of the medicine

This medicine comes as tablets, liquid or can be given by IV.

How and when to give the medicine

Your child’s doctor or nurse will explain how and when to give this medicine to your child. If you have questions, ask the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Special advice for giving this medicine with food

Limit your child’s intake of salt. Use the guidelines below:

Use low-salt foods:

Avoid high-salt foods:

Possible side effects

Prednisone helps in many ways, but it also causes many side effects. The side effects are related to the dose of Prednisone and the length of treatment. The doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest time required.

If your child has these or other side effects, tell the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Common side effects:

Less-common side effects:

The side effects last as long as your child is on Prednisone. As the dose of Prednisone is decreased, the side effects will lessen. The side effects will go away in time once Prednisone is stopped.

Special information

** Orapred® is a pleasant tasting form of prednisolone. If you are having trouble getting your child to take their medicine, ask your medical provider about prescribing Orapred®.

Storage, refills and when to throw away:

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents This sheet was created to help you care for your child or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has:

  • Any side effect that is bothersome or lasts longer than one week.
  • A hard time breathing or is short of breath.
  • Symptoms of the illness that get worse or do not improve.
  • Any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Signs of depression.
  • Pain with walking or hip pain.
  • Special health care needs that were not covered by this information.
  • Or if your child gets pregnant while on this medicine.