During the body’s regular operations, the liver converts prednisone to prednisolone. This alters the immune system’s performance and can help individuals overcome numerous illnesses. Prednisolone is available as a pill or it can be created by an organism from prednisone. Prednisone is mainly used to suppress the immune system and to treat inflammatory diseases including ulcerative colitis, severe allergic reactions, asthma, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Prednisone can also be used to manage pain caused by problems such as moderate back aches or migraine headaches.

In addition, prednisone can lower the possibility of rejection and supply transplanted organs. The drug may also prevent the initial stages of cancer. When taking prednisone, the body’s immune system is suppressed which decreases the ability to fight infections and lowers the effectiveness of antibiotics.

You should be careful if you take prednisone while treating illnesses such as pneumonia. You can cure long-term diseases by taking prednisone because it can be taken for a long time. Even if you begin to feel better, you should continue taking the medication. Don’t stop without discussing the situation with your doctor or else your body may begin to receive prednisolone externally and stop producing it internally.

After a while, your adrenal glands will begin to atrophy so your body can’t respond properly to threats when you stop taking the prednisone. This may cause side effects such as weight loss, slowed movements, upset stomach or weakness. Prednisone may also cause abnormal menses, psychiatric problems such as insomnia, nervous behavior or depression, obesity and puffiness of the face. If you experience serious side effects such as sudden weight gain, allergic reactions or high blood pressure, stop taking prednisone immediately and talk to your doctor.

Some arthritis sufferers suppress immune system activity and lower inflammation by taking corticosteroids or glucocorticoids such as prednisone. Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid that acts like cortisol which is produced by the body’s adrenal glands.
Studies show that glucocorticoids can improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but it has not been proven whether they can slow down the disease. Long-term side effects such as heart problems also remain a concern for anyone who takes glucocorticoids.

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis or RA take glucocorticoid. Two published reviews reveal the short-term benefits of taking low-dose glucocorticoids, rather than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The results indicate positive short and medium-term results during clinical studies. It is also suggested that glucocorticoids may modify the rheumatoid arthritis disease by lowering the rate of radiological progression.

The reviews studied the efficiency of glucocorticoid to prevent the progression of radiological damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Studies reviewed the effects of low-dose glucocorticoids like prednisone on rheumatoid arthritis’ progression. Studies included individuals who had suffered from RA for at as long as 2 years. Participants took low dosages of glucocorticoid pills as well as a DMARD or disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug.

X-rays were taken to review any signs of joint damage and the progression of erosion of the joints. All but one of the studies found that taking standard arthritis treatments in addition to glucocorticoids greatly slowed down the rate of joint erosion for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

However, the studies did not necessarily reveal long-term function improvement.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, taking a low dosage of glucocorticoids can minimize the progression of RA over one to two years. Individuals who were already taking a DMARD saw this benefit so it is in addition to benefits caused by DMARDS alone.

The positive results were evident in individuals who had suffered for rheumatoid arthritis for less than 2 years. Glucocorticoids may have the same positive effect for individuals who have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for 3-4 years. However, it has not been determined whether individuals who have suffered with the disease for a longer period will benefit.

Convincing evidence exists to prove that taking glucocorticoids and traditional methods can greatly reduce the rate of erosion in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. However, long-term side effects to glucocorticoid treatment such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk remain a concern.