Modern medicine Prednisolone refers to drugs of a broad spectrum of action. Patients may be prescribed this medicine, for example, for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis. Quite often Prednisolone is also prescribed for asthma.
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Composition and release form of the drug
Refers to the group of glucocorticosteroid hormonal drugs and the effect on the patient’s body has a similar effect to that of hydrocortisone. It is several times more active than this popular medication. Prednisolone may be available in the form of:
- tablets;
- Solutions for intravenous and intramuscular administration;
- ointments for external application;
- eye drops.
In asthma, Prednisolone is prescribed to patients in the first two forms. Ointments are used for diseases of the joints. The drops are used for inflammation of the eyes. The main active ingredient in all varieties of this medicine is prednisolone.
Indications for use
In addition to bronchial asthma, this remedy can also be used to treat asthmatic status. In both of these cases, judging by the reviews, the drug helps very well. But asthma, as already mentioned, is not the only disease for which Prednisolone is prescribed. This medication is also used if the patient has, for example, problems such as:
- Acute and chronic allergies;
- inflammatory diseases of the joints;
- Skin diseases: eczema, dermatitis, etc. д;
- Brain edema;
- eye inflammation;
- adrenal insufficiency;
- diseases of the hematopoietic organs;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- Tuberculosis meningitis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- lung cancer;
- hepatitis;
- Ulcerative colitis, etc.
When not to take
The peculiarity of this drug is that in emergency cases it is administered without regard to various kinds of contraindications. Prolonged treatment «Prednisolone», as with almost any other medication, is possible, of course, not always. Contraindications to the use of this medication can become, for example, during long-term treatment:
- Osteoporosis;
- gastric ulcer;
- diabetes mellitus;
- all kinds of psychosis;
- poliomyelitis;
- AIDS;
- Cushing’s syndrome;
- severe arterial hypertension.
If the patient has such problems as acute renal or hepatic failure, Prednisolone for bronchial asthma is to be used strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
When else should be taken under the supervision of a specialist
With caution, only in the most extreme cases, in case of emergency, Prednisolone in asthma, as well as in other diseases, may also be prescribed:
- pregnant women in the first trimester (prolonged treatment with this drug disrupts the process of fetal development);
- Lactating women;
- Children under 18 years of age.
In the latter case, the drug may also be prescribed for long-term treatment. It is however advisable to make a thorough preliminary examination and consult with several specialists at once.
Among other things, this medicine is prescribed with caution:
- Ulcers, gastritis, and colitis;
- Heart attack, heart failure, and high blood pressure;
- In infectious diseases;
- 8 weeks before and 2 weeks after any vaccination;
- In the case of glaucoma.
Important
Prescribing this medicine for yourself on your own should never be. Take “Prednisolone ” Not all drugs can be used at the same time. Choosing the wrong method of treatment with this remedy can lead to extremely negative consequences, up to and including death. Before starting a course with the use of this drug, you should always visit your doctor. If any adverse reactions of the body occur during the use of this remedy, this should also be immediately reported to a specialist.
How the drug is useful for asthma
Asthma treatment «Prednisolone» becomes possible primarily because it:
- can have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects;
- Eliminates and significantly reduces the swelling of the mucous membranes;
- Limits connective tissue reactions;
- Inhibits mucosal erosion;
- Reduces the likelihood of scar tissue formation.
Once in the human body, the active ingredient of this drug increases the sensitivity of beta 2-adrenoreceptors in the small and medium bronchi to catecholamines and sympathomimetics, inhibits the synthesis of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Also, this drug is able to reduce the viscosity of mucus.
Side effects
As already mentioned, Prednisolone is able to have negative effects on the body of patients and. Most often, when treated with its use, patients experience the following side effects:
- Vomiting, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite;
- heart rhythm disorders;
- headaches, sleep disturbances, seizures;
- development of diabetes mellitus;
- Formation of Icenko-Cushing’s syndrome;
- weight gain;
- Sweating and swelling;
- allergic reactions.
What happens in case of an overdose
Of course, this medicine can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision. The dose of Prednisolone in asthma, selected by a specialist, should not be exceeded in any case.
If a patient is administered too much of a solution of this remedy, or takes many pills, he may experience an increase in the side effects listed above. Unfortunately, a specific scheme to eliminate intoxication of the body with this drug has not been developed. Treatment in overdose is usually carried out only symptomatic.
Instructions for use of a solution for bronchial asthma
To treat this disease liquid form “Prednisolone” is used quite often. Injections are usually given as part of an inpatient treatment.
Prednisolone dosages for asthma are chosen by the doctor individually, depending on the patient’s condition and weight. A patient may receive from 75 to 675 mg of the drug during a course of treatment. Only if there are serious complications can the amount of the drug sometimes be increased to 1400 mg. The intervals between doses of the medicine are also prescribed by the specialist individually. Once the condition of the patient improves, the dose is gradually reduced.
Instructions for asthmatic status
In this case, at first, 500 to 1,200 mg of the drug are given per day. When the patient’s condition improves, the dose is gradually reduced to 300 mg per day. Subsequently switch to maintenance treatment. The dosage in this case the doctor sets individually.
Instructions for use for tablets
Very often in asthma, Prednisolone is also prescribed to patients in this form. The first course of therapy when using the tablets according to the instructions should not last more than 16 days. Start treating asthma usually by taking 5-6 mg of the remedy per day. After the condition has stabilized, the dose is reduced to 3 mg.
Supportive therapy using this medication is carried out in an amount of 1.5-2.5 tablets a day, once a day. It is also allowed to take a double dose of the drug every other day. During an exacerbation in bronchial asthma, Prednisolone tablets, as well as its liquid form, may be prescribed in an amount up to 1400 mg for the entire course.
How to take it correctly
The release of glucocorticoids in the human body occurs, as is known, cyclically. Therefore it is necessary to take Prednisolon during active waking hours, i.e. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In this case, many physicians believe that the greatest effect from the use of this drug will be achieved if it enters the patient’s body at noon — from 13:00 to 15:00. It is at this time that there is active suppression of bronchopulmonary fluid.
It is necessary to reduce the dose of the drug during treatment gradually. Abruptly stopping the amount of Prednisolone taken can unfortunately lead to an exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
The side effects of this remedy, as you may have noticed, are very numerous. Therefore, patients in the treatment of bronchial asthma «Prednisolone»:
- are periodically monitored for BP, electrolyte and water levels in the body;
- Are under observation by an ophthalmologist;
- Undergo periodic blood sugar tests.
In order to reduce the risk of side effects, patients may be prescribed medications containing male hormones in combination with this drug. To prevent heart problems, the patient is also often prescribed pharmaceutical potassium or preparations made on the basis of this substance.
Interaction with other drugs
It is not allowed to combine this drug with not all medications. For example, the simultaneous use of Prednisolone solution and tablets should be avoided for asthma with:
- Diuretics and «Amforicin B», as it increases the risk of developing heart failure;
- Cardiac glycosides, which can aggravate hypokalemia;
- Immunosuppressants, because it can provoke the development of infectious diseases;
- m-cholinoblockers, which can cause an increase in intraocular pressure;
- anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as it increases the risk of gastric bleeding;
- Paracetamol and cyclosporine, because it increases the chance of toxic liver damage.
Bottom line
Prednisolone drug in asthma attacks is used quite often and is considered a very strong. It is usually prescribed in severe cases. It helps with asthma, as noted by many patients, better than most other drugs used for the same diseases. But you should only drink it, according to doctors and patients, if it is really necessary. The side effects of this medication are actually very numerous. Patients who are being treated with this medicine often need to start taking all sorts of additional medications to support the other organs it affects. And this, in turn, of course, is not the best effect on the liver.
Do not replace this medication on your own with any drugs with a similar therapeutic effect. Analogue, if necessary, should be selected only by the attending physician.