This page contains a brief description that does not cover the medication. For more information read the review in Felleskatalogen.no for the respective drug.

Definition

Tablets containing a cortisone-like hormone

• Rapid, anti-inflammatory effect on many inflammatory, rheumatic diseases

Side effects

• Some possible side effects by short-term use
  • Weight gain
    • Customize your diet
  • Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
    • Check blood sugar after starting treatment
  • Benchrose (osteonecrosis) (rapid destruction of bone substance by hip, shoulder, wrist or ankles). Risk of Prednisolone dose over 20mg / day
• Some possible side effects by Long-term use
  • Fragile bones (osteoporosis)
  • Infections
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Lack of self-production of cortisone (in the adrenal glands)
    • NOTE! do not abruptly end long-term prednisolone treatment.

• High dose: 10mg / day or more
• Low dose: 5 mg / day or less
• Short-term use: during 3-6 months

Measures against side effects

• Proper diet
• Physical Activity
• Sufficient calcium and Vitamin D intake
• Stop smoking
• Avoid high alcohol consumption
• Vaccines which can be considered (preventive) before treatment start
  • Influenza (annual)
  • Pneumococci (pneumonia) (every 5-7 year)
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)

• Combine with Calcigran Forte to prevent osteoporosis
• Combined with other anti-doping medications

Calculate equivalent corticosteroid doses here

EULAR recommendations for corticosteroid treatment (reference: Duru N, 2013)

Patient information

• The Norwegian Medical Association
• UpToDate (American side)

Literature

• Reference: Strehl C, 2016

Medications, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no

• Bindevevssykdommer.no
• Vaskulitt.no