What You Should Know About Prednisone
Prednisone is one of the various medications prescribed to treat Bell's palsy. This medication is either taken orally or by injection. Proven to be predominantly effective as an immunosuppressant, prednisone can treat not only Bell's palsy but other autoimmune diseases as well such as inflammatory and kidney diseases as well as treat migraine headaches and prevent and treat rejection in organ transplantation. Other diseases which also use this medication include different types of arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus, psoriasis and asthma.
This medication is a synthetic hormone which primarily imitates cortisol, a steroid which is naturally produced by the body. Prednisone's potency is approximately five times more than natural cortisol, thus taking this medication should be as prescribed by your doctor. Prednisone's effect on immune cells is anti-inflammatory, acting as an immunosuppressant to effectively inhibit the secretion of cytokines. This mainly results in the suppression of the production of antibody, thereby slowing down and weakening the inflammatory process. This effect immediately reduces the inflammation which compresses the nerve.
This medication is available under various brands. Brand names include Prednisone Intensol, Cortan, Delatsone, Meticorten, Orasone, Prednicen-M, Panasol-S and Liquid Pred. When you start to take this medication, ensure that you keep a record of all your appointments with your doctor and laboratory. This will make it easier to request certain laboratory tests later on as your doctor checks your body's reaction to prednisone.
Prednisone's Side-effects and Benefits The possible mild side-effects of this medication include indigestion, increased appetite, and restlessness or nervousness. Inform your doctor if effects such as vomiting, upset stomach or irritation, headache, insomnia, dizziness, depression, anxiety, acne, easy bruising, and even increased hair growth do not go away after taking this medication for several days. Moreover, if you experience an allergic reaction, increased blood pressure and weight gain of more than 5 pounds in just one day or two, call your doctor at once. As an immunosuppressant, a patient with an existing problem in the immune system cannot take this medication. Patients taking other medications which are proven to impede prednisone's effect are also advised against taking it. Other medications which can interfere include diuretics, blood thinners, birth control pills, ibuprofen, barbutuates, NSAIDS, amphotericin, phenytoin, rifampin, rifabutin, digoxin and acetazolamide. For other patients considering prednisone, it is still worthwhile mainly for its rapid anti-inflammatory result. But, if a patient has an existing disease or condition other than Bell's palsy, a doctor may not prescribe this medication. These conditions include diabetes, heart problems, seizures, some cancers, recent or pending surgery, under-active thyroid, intestinal disorders, pregnancy, HIV and compromised immune system. Prednisone's side-effects are normally related directly to the dosage taken and its duration. If used to treat facial paralysis, it should be taken on a short-term basis only. This medication's side-effects rapidly decrease if dosage is reduced and disappears if the medication is stopped. So, if this medication is taken properly and possible side-effects clearly discussed in detail with one's doctor, it is safe and worthwhile to treat Bell's palsy.
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