What Are Other Possible Serious Side Effects And Adverse Events
Other possible serious side effects of prednisone.
Prednisone and diabetes: Prednisone is associated with new onset or manifestations of latent diabetes, and worsening of diabetes. Diabetics may require higher doses of diabetes medications while taking prednisone.
Allergic reaction: Some people may develop a severe allergic reaction to prednisone that includes swelling of the airways that may result in shortness of breath or airway blockage.
Immune suppression: Prednisone suppresses the immune system and, therefore, increases the frequency or severity of infections and decreases the effectiveness of vaccines and antibiotics.
Osteoporosis: Prednisone may cause osteoporosis that results in fractures of bones. Patients taking long-term prednisone often receive supplements of calcium and vitamin D to counteract the effects on bones. Calcium and vitamin D probably are not enough, however, and treatment with bisphosphonates such as alendronate and risedronate may be necessary. Calcitonin also is effective. The development of osteoporosis and the need for treatment can be monitored using bone density scans.
Adrenal insufficiency and weaning off prednisone: Prolonged use of prednisone and other corticosteroids causes the adrenal glands to atrophy and stop producing the body’s natural corticosteroid, cortisol.
Read the entire prednisone consumer monograph > >
- trouble breathing.
Read the entire consumer prednisone drug information > >
What Can I Do To Stay Healthy While Taking Prednisone
Your healthcare provider will weigh the possible benefits and side effects when giving this and other medications. Many people have benefitted from prednisone without serious side effects. Talking to your healthcare provider, using your medication as instructed, and taking the necessary precautions, can help you benefit from prednisone while managing side effects. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself healthy:
- Take your medication as prescribed.
- Avoid double dosing. Find out from your healthcare provider what to do if you miss a dose.
- Do not stop taking the medication without your healthcare providers consent. Usually your dose of prednisone is tapered , to help avoid the effects of withdrawal. A sudden stoppage of using prednisone can lead to withdrawal symptoms including:
- Fatigue
Finding Answers To Prednisone Problems
Following my lab results gave me answers to many of the questions I had. I wanted to know:
- Why I felt hungry all the time? Its because I had high blood sugar and insulin resistance.
- Why I felt bloated? Its because of high sodium.
- Why my legs and arms got skinny? Its because of low protein.
- Was prednisone really causing me osteoporosis even in my 30s? Yes, I had low calcium.
How often should I check my blood?
I recommend having your blood tested at least once a year while at the very least while youre on prednisone. Just to ensure theres nothing out of whack. Find out all the things that need to be checked while you are on prednisone with the Prednisone Checklist.
Don’t Miss: Is Mulberry Good For Kidneys
Risk Factor Of Renal Survival Predictors
The correlations between clinicopathological parameters and renal end point were analyzed using a Cox regression model . In a univariate analysis, gender, eGFR, Scr, hypertension, M1, E1, S1, T1/T2, and CKD stage at the time of biopsy were all factors that were significantly associated with renal survival. A multivariate Cox regression analysis further showed that hypertension , Scr , E1 , and T1/T2 remained as independent predictors of renal survival.
Table 4. Cox proportional hazard model for the primary end point in IgA nephropathy patients.
The Stranger Side Effects Of Prednisone
Prednisone is a prescribed medication that reduces swelling, irritation, and inflammation in the body for a range of conditions. While this powerful steroid drug is helpful for many, it also packs a variety of side effects, including restlessness, weight gain, and irritability.
Some of the side effects can be frustrating, but remember, you are not alone. We asked members from our groups about the most outrageous side effects theyve experienced while using the medication. If you need a little comic relief from the side effects of taking prednisone, check out these illustrated quotes from others who can totally relate.
You May Like: Is Club Soda Good For Kidney Stones
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease
Overall, the side effects felt by those with kidney disease who are taking prednisone are very similar to the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome . Some of these side effects include obesity, kidney stones, irregular menstruation, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. If people with kidney disease are taking prednisone, any problems with their adrenals may not be noticed.
Even though a person with kidney disease may have no symptoms and only discover their condition through blood work, there are some symptoms that definitely point to this condition. Swelling of the legs, blood in the urine, frothy urine, and difficulty controlling high blood pressure are some of those symptoms.
Other symptoms that may present with kidney disease include:
- Itchy rashes due to a buildup of toxins in your blood.
- Side, back, or leg pain.
- Dizziness and loss of concentration can result from anemia brought on by kidney failure. This lessens the amount of blood going to your brain and a resulting lack of oxygen.
There are a set of symptoms that kidney disease and adrenal fatigue have in common. Fatigue, digestion problems, trouble with concentration, lowered sex drive, increased likelihood of catching colds and flu, and irregular menstruation are a few of these.
What Side Effects Can Corticosteroids Cause
Corticosteroids have both short- and long-term side effects that cause different problems in your cat.
Short-term side effects
Short-term side effects are those that we expect a cat to experience when initially placed on corticosteroids. These side effects depend both on the type of steroid prescribed and on the dosage administered and include:
- increased thirst and urination
- development or worsening of infections
- vomiting or nausea
Some pre-diabetic cats may become diabetic with corticosteroid usage. In many of these cases, the diabetes resolves once the steroid is discontinued.
If any of these side effects occur, they can often be eliminated by lowering the dosage or frequency of administration. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe another type of corticosteroid in an attempt to reduce the side effects. The objective is to determine the lowest dose of medication that controls the condition with the least number of side effects.
Long-term side effects
Some diseases and medical conditions require long-term treatment with corticosteroids, at either an anti-inflammatory dose or an immunosuppressive dose. When corticosteroids are used for more than three to four months, particularly at immunosuppressive doses, additional side effects become a concern. The most commonly seen long-term side effects include:
Don’t Miss: Pomegranate Juice Good For Kidney Stones
Kidney Impairment Can Be Costly
Although renal impairment is often reversible if the offending drug is discontinued, the condition can be costly and may require multiple interventions, including hospitalization, Dr. Naughton explained. To help you avoid getting to that point, we learned about medications that commonly cause kidney damage from Rebekah Krupski, PharmD, RPh, pharmacy resident at the Cleveland Clinic and clinical instructor of pharmacy practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
The Need To Monitor Kidney Function With Certain Drugs
Experts have suggested that after the initial assessment of kidney function, physicians should consider regular monitoring after starting or increasing the dosage of drugs associated with nephrotoxicity, especially those used chronically in patients with multiple risk factors for impaired kidney function, Dr. Naughton noted. If there is any sign of kidney harm, the provider should review the medications you are taking in order to identify which one is causing the problem.
If multiple medications are present and the patient is clinically stable, physicians should start by discontinuing the drug most recently added to the patients medication regimen. Once that has been taken care of, further harm to the kidneys may be minimized by keeping blood pressure stable, staying hydrated, and temporarily avoiding the use of other medications that may cause nephrotoxicity.
These safety tips can ensure you get the care you need while keeping your kidneys safe. That way, they can tend to essential functions like keeping things flowing .Originally published May 11, 2017
Also Check: Red Wine Kidney Stones
What Are The Kidney Function Tests
The kidney function tests done are as follows:
Urine Protein Test: This test is done to find out the amount of protein present in the given urine specimen.
Urine Microalbumin Test: This test is done when there is only less amount of protein in the sample. In such a case, a spot urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio is ordered.
Urine Dipstick: This test is done to find whether the urine contains substances such as protein, glucose, blood, and white blood cells.
Urine Sediment Exam: This test is done to find out RBCs, WBCs, yeast, bacteria, and crystals in the urine sediment that is obtained after the urine is spun in a centrifuge.
Creatinine Clearance Test: This requires collection of 24-hour urine and the patient must save all urine for the 24-hour period.
The other blood tests used to evaluate kidney function are blood urea nitrogen test , creatinine test , and measurement of elements such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, protein, uric acid and glucose in the blood sample.
Discontinuing Use Of Prednisone In Dogs
There are side effects that can occur while your dog is taking prednisone, but there are others that may happen if you suddenly discontinue use of it. Even if you think its not working or you have trouble remembering to give it to your dog regularly, stopping use abruptly can cause major side effects for your pet. These may include joint pain, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. In fact, you want to wean your dog off prednisone slowly to avoid these from happening.
When prescribed prednisone as part of a short-term treatment, your veterinarian will set up your pet with a treatment plan that includes the final dosages and how to make it easier for your dog to discontinue use. This might include receiving less of the steroid over time or alternating how much you give your pet on specific days.
Thats why its extremely important that you have your dogs medication schedule written down. Its easy to forget dosages and schedules, especially as they are changing. Also, if you have others looking after your dog, you want to make sure they understand what is needed of them and when.
You May Like: Mayo Clinic Kidney
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to prednisone.
If you are having any skin tests such as allergy tests or tuberculosis tests, tell the doctor or technician that you are taking prednisone.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
What Dose Prednisone Do For Ckd Patients
Prednisone has the functions of anti-inflammatory, antianaphylaxis and inhibition of connective tissue hyperplasia and so on, so it often is used for serious bacterial infection, allergic disease, skin disease, rejection reaction after organs transplant. In addition, the medicine also is the common medicine in treating CKD in clinic, then what dose predicone do for CKD patients?
For CKD patients, prednisone, the adrenal gland cortical hormone medicine, often be used to decrease the protein urine through decreasing the permeability of capillary wall and cell membranes and controlling the ultra immune responses on the kidneys. But patients will find finally that once they stop use the medicine, they will be bothered by the protein urine again. And long time use of the medicine is not recommended for it can bring many side effects such as edema, bone disease, diabetes and so on.
Although the prednisone can control the protein urine effectively, it fail to repair the injured renal cells. CKD patients who want to stop kidney damage from root need clean the wastes in blood to prevent the deposition of wastes. Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy can control the protein urine and reverse the kidney function at the same time.
Read Also: Does Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones
Alternative Types Of Treatment For Dogs
Depending on what your dog may need prednisone for, there are possible alternative treatments you could try first. Ask your veterinarian about your full list of options. This may include a change to your dogs diet and exercise routine. Nutrition is a big part of your dogs health and certain changes can possibly help for the better, particularly if your pet suffers from canine allergies.
An elimination diet, for example, can help pinpoint if your pet is allergic to a specific food. This would mean that rather than requiring steroid therapy like prednisone, you would just need to avoid that ingredient when shopping for or making your dogs food. If you are wanting to stick to a more organic line of treatment, research homeopathic or herbal options available. The veterinarian can assess the severity of your dogs condition and determine the best route of care. He can also decide if alternative treatment like vitamin therapy or hemp products is a possibility for treatment.
With any change to your dogs routine, especially when introducing new medication, there will be a testing period to see how your dog reacts. There are side effects and risks that come with nearly every kind of medication. But its up to you to weigh those risks against what can be done to help your pet. Regular checkups for your pet are still important as well even if he is not showing any side effects as there may be internal changes youre not seeing.
Function Of The Kidneys
The primary function of the kidneys is filtering the blood. Anywhere from 130 to 150 quarts of blood flow through the kidneys, yielding one or two quarts of urine. In this way, the kidneys help remove waste products, toxins, and excess liquids from the body.
They are part of the circulatory system because of the major arteries and vessels leading to the kidneys. Also, theyre part of the excretory system tasked with removing wastes from the body.
Also Check: Cranberry Good For Liver
Can Prednisone Worsen Other Health Conditions
People taking prednisone can also experience higher blood sugar, which is a special concern for those with diabetes. Because prednisone suppresses the bodys immune system, it can also increase the risk of infection. Therefore, some precautions need to be taken.
Before taking prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider about the following:
- If you have a history of allergies to prednisone or other steroid drugs
- Other medications you are currently taking
- If you have diabetes
- Whether you have high blood pressure
- If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
Low Eosinophils From Prednisone
These are another type of immune cells. Eosinophils are often really high for the people who have a certain type of allergies like asthma or atopic dermatitis . This will also appear in your lab value result. If they take prednisone it makes their eosinophils drop, which is great!
However, taking prednisone means a risk for experiencing side effects. There are some great drugs that came out that basically target the eosinophils if it is high, which might be a good alternative if this is why you are taking prednisone.
Don’t Miss: Blood In Kidneys Symptoms
Why Use Prednisolone For Dogs Instead
Prednisone is converted into prednisolone in the canines liver, so although they are two distinct drugs, the names are sometimes used interchangeably. They are equally absorbed by the bloodstream and considered to be bioequivalent with the same essential functions. However, veterinarians may specifically prescribe prednisolone for dogs with poor liver function to avoid placing stress on the organ during the bodys conversion process.
Both drugs are forms of synthetic forms of corticosteroids – a hormone that occurs naturally in canines and humans – however, neither drug is approved by the FDA for animal use. Nonetheless, prescribing the off-label use of prednisolone and prednisone for dogs is considered accepted practice in veterinary medicine. Neither are available over the counter, so you will need a vets prescription to buy them.
Function Of The Adrenals
A part of the endocrine system, the adrenals are located on top of the kidneys. One major task of these organs is secreting hormones that serve several purposes in the body.
One of the major hormones secreted by the adrenals is cortisol . This is the hormone your body needs when under stress. Anytime stress comes into your life, your body responds the same way regardless of the origin of the stress.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated, setting in motion a cascade of hormonal and chemical changes. At the end of this cascade, the adrenals secrete cortisol to fight the effects of stress.
Ordinarily, once the stress is over, the adrenals return to a state of homeostasis. When stress continues, the burden of producing more and more cortisol can lead to adrenal fatigue, where the adrenals can no longer produce sufficient cortisol and the effects of stress grow.
Initially, adrenal fatigue presents vague symptoms. As the condition worsens, so do the symptoms, until finally, they may become so severe as to render the person bedridden and/or unable to function.
Recommended Reading: Are Almonds Bad For Your Kidneys
Definitions Of Clinical Responses And Outcome
Responses to therapy included complete remission , partial remission , no response or ESRD. CR is defined as a reduction of proteinuria to < 0.5 g/24 h and a decline in eGFR by at least 10% from the baseline. PR is defined as a reduction in proteinuria 50% and in eGFR by at least 10% from the baseline. NR is defined as a reduction in proteinuria by at least 50%, or a decline in eGFR by at least 10% from the baseline. ESRD is defined as eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2, chronic dialysis, or renal transplantation. The combined end point is defined by a renal function decline > 50% in eGFR and/or ESRD.