Prednisone & Adrenal Glands
Though prednisone can help to correct many inflammatory conditions, it can also suppress the production of hormones by the adrenal glands. This can result in permanent damage to the pituitary gland.
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Adrenal Suppression
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Adrenal suppression can occur when the corticosteroid called prednisone is taken for longer than one week. At that time, the human body loses the ability to manufacture organic corticosteroids, which results in a prednisone dependency.
Treatment
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To lessen the probability of adrenal suppression, doctors use information from a physical examination to determine an appropriate dosage of prednisone. Should the patient require a prescribed course exceeding seven days, physicians will gradually reduce the daily dosage of prednisone to encourage the body to regain natural corticosteroid production again.
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Other Side Effects
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As with any medicine, there may be some side effects associated with the use of prednisone. These may include rapid weight gain, higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, insomnia, osteoporosis, bruising, skin eruptions, hypertension and mood swings. A prescribing physician should consider the side effects before prescribing the medication.
Warning
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Patients should be cognizant of some of the symptoms of a serious reaction to corticosteroids. Contact a physician immediately in the event that any of the following symptoms are present: anxiety, confusion, black stool, vision changes, stomach pain and deepening depression.
History
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Prednisone was first produced in 1955 by the Schering Corporation and was released on the market under the brand name of Meticorten. Today most prednisone is manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies as a generic drug.
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References
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