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PREDNISONE

(For veterinary information only)

IMPORTANT NOTES: Do NOT stop this medication abruptly!  Adhere strictly to the dosing schedule given by the veterinarian.  Tell your pet’s veterinarian if your pet is diabetic or is pregnant.

As with all medications, it is extremely important that this medication be used ONLY for the pet for which it is prescribed.

BRAND NAME:  APO-PREDNISONE®, NOVO-PREDNISONE®

USES OF THIS MEDICATION

Prednisone and prednisolone are members of the glucocorticoid class of hormones which are involved in metabolism.  We do not use the glucocorticoids for their influences on glucose and protein metabolism; we use them because they are also the most broadly anti-inflammatory medications that we have.  Their uses fit into several groups:

• Anti-inflammatory (especially for joint pain and itchy skin)
• Immune-suppression (treatment of conditions where the immune system is destructively hyperactive. Higher doses are required to actually suppress the immune system)
• Cancer Chemotherapy (especially in the treatment of lymphoma)
• Central Nervous System Disorders (usually after trauma or after a disc episode to relieve swelling in the brain or spinal cord)
• Shock (steroids seem to help improve circulation)
• Blood Calcium Reduction (in medical conditions where blood calcium is dangerously high treatment is needed to reduce levels to normal)

Prednisone is activated by the patient's liver into Prednisolone. 

SIDE EFFECTS

Prednisone has activity in the kidney leading to the conservation of salt.  This creates the classical side effects of prednisone/prednisolone use: excessive thirst and excessive urination. These effects are dose dependent.

Prednisone is commonly used for several weeks or even months at a time to get a chronic process under control.  It is important that the dose be tapered when stopping. The reason for this is that body will perceive these synthetic hormones and not produce any of its own. The body needs time to begin producing its own.  If the medication is stopped suddenly, the pet will have no glucocorticoids available and this is dangerous.

Glucocorticoid hormone use can be irritating to the stomach at higher doses.  This medication may be given with or without food. Giving it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your pet’s stomach.

Any latent infections can be unmasked (but not caused) by prednisone use.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS

Glucocorticoid hormones should not be used in combination with medications of the NSAID class (ie aspirin, Rimadyl®, phenylbutazone etc.) as the combination of these medications could lead to bleeding in the stomach or intestine. Ulceration could occur.

CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS

Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever had:

• an allergic reaction to this medicine
• liver disease or kidney disease
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• high blood pressure
• ulcers
• cataracts
• heart disease or a heart attack
• thyroid disease
• epilepsy

The same salt retention that accounts for the excessive thirst and urination may also be a problem for heart failure patients or other patients who require sodium restriction.

Prednisone must be used with extreme caution in diabetic pets.

Glucocorticoid hormones can cause abortion in pregnant patients.  Please tell your pet’s veterinarian if your pet is, or becomes, pregnant.

Prednisone use is likely to change liver enzyme blood testing and interfere with testing for thyroid diseases.

Your pet may get infections more easily while taking this medicine.

When prednisone is used routinely and for a short time, serious side effects would not be expected.  When doses become immune-suppressive (higher doses) or use becomes "chronic" (longer than 4 months), the side effects and concerns associated become different.  In these cases, monitoring tests may be recommended every 6 months.  Discuss this with your pet’s veterinarian if your pet is on chronic prednisone therapy.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 672-7800.

Disclaimer: While Camrose Animal Clinic has endeavoured to make sure the information contained in this document is accurate, The Camrose Animal Clinic cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, and it is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind.  This information is not intended to replace the advice of your pet’s own veterinarian.  This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medication or interactions with other medications. Ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

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