Apo-Prednisone general information

What is Apo-Prednisone used for?

Apo-Prednisone is a steroid medication used in wide range of inflammatory, allergic and immune disorders to suppress clinical symptoms of the disease. Amongst their many applications, Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg are used to reduce inflammation in conditions where the immune system is overactive, like severe asthma, acute outbreaks of eczema and severe allergies; to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or Crohn's disease, where the body’s immune system is directed against self, and to prevent rejection following organ transplant. Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg are also used as an anti-cancer medication along with other drugs, to treat certain tumours like leukemia and lymphoma, and to replace a lack natural corticosteroid in conditions where there is not enough produced, such as underactive adrenal glands.

How does Apo-Prednisone work?

Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg contain prednisone, which is a synthetic glucocorticoid, similar to the naturally occurring cortisol and its metabolite hydrocortisone, with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-rheumatic and immunosuppressant properties. Prednisone has widespread effects acting on most tissues in the body to modify, glucose, fat, protein and calcium metabolism. The major therapeutic actions of prednisone are to reduce the vascular (blood vessels) and cellular inflammatory response primarily by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells to reduce the swelling, redness and pain associated with inflammation; to modify the actions of cells involved in the allergic response, and to suppress the immune system to prevent rejection following organ transplant. Prednisone in Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg also have anti-cancer properties and are used to prevent growth of certain tumours like leukemia and lymphoma. The duration of action of Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets is approximately 18 to 36 hours, depending on the condition used for.

What does Apo-Prednisone contain?

Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg contain the active ingredient prednisone which is a synthetic glucocorticoid used to treat a wide range of inflammatory, allergic and immune disorders. They also contain lactose and corn starch.

What doses of Apo-prednisone are available?

Apo-Prednisone tablets are available from Inhouse Pharmacy in doses of 2.5, 5mg and 20mg tablets.

Treating inflammation with Apo-Prednisone

Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg contain prednisone, which is a synthetic glucocorticoid, similar to the naturally occurring cortisol and its metabolite hydrocortisone, with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-rheumatic and immunosuppressant properties. Apo-Prednisone tablets are used in a wide range of inflammatory disorders, to suppress clinical symptoms of the disease where, inflammation is caused by many different factors, for example, where the immune system is overactive, like severe asthma, acute outbreaks of eczema and severe allergies; autoimmune diseases, where the immune system is directed against self, like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or Crohn's disease. The anti-inflammatory actions of prednisone in Apo-Prednisone tablets 5mg are to block the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells which reduces the swelling, redness and pain associated with inflammation.

What are the side effects of Apo-Prednisone?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets include: increased susceptibility to infection, muscle or bone aches and pains, weight gain, thinning of skin, bone demineralisation, slow wound healing, acne, redistribution of body fat creating the typical moon face, altered vision.

What are the health risks of taking Apo-Prednisone?

Long term use of Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently. This may slow down the growth rate in children and will need regular monitoring. Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets may also cause decreased bone mineral density, if used for long periods. Long term use of steroids may be associated with a range of side effects such as; round face, altered body shape, altered hair growth, thinning of the bones, decreased resistance to infection, increased blood pressure and diabetes.

When should Apo-Prednisone not be used?

You should not use Prednisone if you:

• are allergic to prednisone or any of the ingredients in Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets
• have thyroid, stomach, heart, kidney or liver problems, high blood pressure, mood disorders, epilepsy, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis
• have any infectious disease, acute infection, systemic fungal infection, tuberculosis, uncomplicated viral hepatitis
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding
• are due to receive a vaccination with a live virus vaccine
• are taking medicines that may interact with Apo-Prednisone like anti-inflammatories such as; diclofenac, ibuprofen, mefenamic acidor naproxen; barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin or rifampicin, anticoagulants
• are taking diuretic medicines such as the thiazides or frusemide, these may cause increased loss of potassium when taken with Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets

How should Apo-Prednisone be taken?

The dose of Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets that you take, how often and for how long depends on what you are being treated for and as recommended by your doctor. You should take the prescribed dose with a glass of water with food. You should not stop taking Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets suddenly; withdrawal should be gradual to reduce risk of side effects.

How long should you take Apo-Prednisone?

You should continue to take your Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets suddenly; withdrawal should be gradual to reduce risk of side effects.

Missed dose of Apo-Prednisone

If you miss a dose of Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Apo-Prednisone be stored?

You should store your Apo-Prednisone 5mg tablets at room temperature below 30°C and protect from heat, light and moisture.