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Methylprednisolone vs. prednisone: What's the difference?.
Any alternatives for Prednisone • Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
Currently I have been on prednisone for a year now. I was doing ok at 7mg but not as good as They brought me down to 5mg a day and now I am fully flairs and swollen in the face, eye lids, middle of my back, lower back, arthritis spots etc. Basicly fully flairs. I have been on the 5mg for a week now. I am only 34yrs old and worry that this might be something i need to take forever. I heard of the hardening of arteries, the knee replacements etc.
I figure with my case of RA as bad as it is and having Fibro as well as a bad case of iron deficiency anemia, that this drug just might be with me forever. My questions today are…. Is there a more safe dose to take for the body long term at my age that can help prevent the long term damage? Are there any drugs or herbal suppliments I can take to help fight against the effects of prednisone so taking 7mg a day might be ok for the rest of my life?
Are there any sub drugs out there to take instead that might work as well? Or do you know of any currently in the works? Thank you for your time. The less prednisone the better. There is likely no totally safe dose. There has been increased recognition on the long term side effects of prednisone based on clinical studies. Osteoporosis, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of infections, weight gain are all assocaited with low dose prednisone use.
Founded in , the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins is dedicated to providing quality education to patients and healthcare providers alike. Question Currently I have been on prednisone for a year now. My questions today are… 1. Answer The less prednisone the better.
❾-50%}Prednisone substitute
Two studies demonstrated that lupus patients taking mycophenolate and voclosporin could achieve clinical response while using much lower doses of oral prednisone. In fact, these two trials had the lowest peak steroid doses and faster steroid tapering than any other lupus nephritis trial.
In patients with lupus without renal involvement, mycophenolate was shown to be superior to azathioprine when combined with steroids, and thus may be a better option than azathioprine for reducing prednisone doses. Mycophenolate can be used to reduce steroid use in many different inflammatory and immune diseases other than lupus. Mycophenolate has similar steroid-sparing effects as methotrexate when used for uveitis. In a head-to-head study comparing mycophenolate and azathioprine for the treatment of pemphigus, patients taking mycophenolate required significantly lower steroid dose to achieve clinical remission compared to patients taking azathioprine.
Mercaptopurine may be a great option to reduce prednisone doses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The brand name of mercaptopurine is Purinethol. Azathioprine is another DMARD that can reduce steroid doses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. It is often used along with infliximab for this purpose. Azathioprine may also be used to reduce the use of steroids in patients with myasthenia gravis.
A study comparing methotrexate and azathioprine in patients with myasthenia gravis demonstrated that both drugs had a similar degree of steroid-sparing effects. Azathioprine may also be effective at reducing the cumulative steroid dose in patients with giant cell arteritis, although data is mostly limited to case studies.
Azathioprine may effectively lower the need for steroids in patients with recurrent pericarditis. In one study , Leflunomide is an effective steroid-sparing agent for various kinds of arthritis. In a small study, lower steroid doses were required in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis after taking leflunomide.
Leflunomide is also an effective steroid-sparing option for patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Another lung disease, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis cHP , may be treated with leflunomide in some cases. A study showed that leflunomide had a significant steroid-sparing effect—half of the patients discontinued prednisone entirely.
In patients with inflammatory diseases related to IgG4 antibodies collectively known as IgG4-related disease , leflunomide can lower the cumulative dose of steroids needed to achieve and maintain remission. Adding leflunomide to steroid therapy can also shorten the time to complete response and maintain a longer duration of remission compared to steroids alone. Natural remedies are not a replacement for prednisone, but they may work alongside prednisone to help fight inflammation.
Antioxidants such as flavonoids and carotenoids protect tissue from damage by reactive oxygen species and other free radicals. They may have an even stronger effect when taken together. By preventing tissue damage, these antioxidants prevent unwanted inflammatory responses from occurring. Other anti-inflammatory supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids , zinc , and turmeric curcumin fight inflammation that is already present.
They provide the building blocks of natural molecules our body needs to resolve inflammation. Avoid inflammatory foods such as margarine, corn oil, deep-fried foods, and processed food products to reduce inflammation. It is well known that refined sugar and simple carbohydrates like white four, white rice, and high fructose corn syrup contribute to chronic inflammation.
Replace these processed items with plant-based foods that are high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Staying hydrated helps our bodies clear out toxins. When metabolic waste products and toxins accumulate in the body, they contribute significantly to inflammation. Perhaps the most obvious example of this effect is when dehydration leads to higher concentrations of uric acid, triggering a gout flare.
Water also has a lubricating effect on joints. Synovial fluid provides a cushion at the joints to prevent bones from coming into contact. When we become dehydrated our synovial fluid does not provide as much lubrication.
A deficiency of synovial fluid can lead to damage and inflammation of the joints. According to a recent study , patients aiming to reduce inflammation should avoid long endurance exercise as it can contribute to chronic inflammation. Instead, opt for moderately intense exercise with frequent resting periods.
Keep in mind that I am not a doctor and can't diagnose you here or tell you how these options would affect you. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication or herbal remedy. You should know: The answer above provides general health information that is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment recommendations from a qualified healthcare professional.
What can we help you find? Pain Management. My questions today are…. Is there a more safe dose to take for the body long term at my age that can help prevent the long term damage? Are there any drugs or herbal suppliments I can take to help fight against the effects of prednisone so taking 7mg a day might be ok for the rest of my life? Are there any sub drugs out there to take instead that might work as well?
Or do you know of any currently in the works? Thank you for your time. The less prednisone the better.
I have chronic asthma and have been on 20 mg of prednisone for more than 20 years. Is there another drug that can replace prednisone for this kind of long-term use?
Many people are stuck on prednisone for long periods of time. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that anything currently available could replace it completely, but some drugs are also sometimes used to reduce dependence on prednisone. These are very strong drugs as well and must be used with caution, but sometimes they can have good effects when taken in small amounts or as a short-term alternative to prednisone. According to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologytwo Chinese herbal supplements - ASHMI and FAHF-2 - were seen to have some effects that were similar to those of prednisone on the signs and symptoms of asthma and food allergies, respectively.
Depending on the advice of your doctor, ASHMI might be a supplement you could try to ease both your asthma symptoms and your dependence on prednisone as a long-term therapy. Keep in mind that I am not a doctor and can't diagnose you here or tell you how these options would affect you. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication or herbal remedy.
You should know: The answer above provides general health information that is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment recommendations from a qualified healthcare professional.
What can we help you find? Pain Management. March 9, What to Read Next. Start Survey.
Osteoporosis, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of infections, weight gain are all assocaited with low dose prednisone use. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that anything currently available could replace it completely, but some drugs are also sometimes used to reduce. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that anything currently available could replace it completely, but some drugs are also sometimes used to reduce. If the arthritis persists, there are alternatives. A drug that is often used in cancer treatments called Methotrexate may be useful as it. Specific medications in this group include (in no particular order) Flovent, Pulmicort, QVAR, Asmanex, and many others, both brand-name and. Health Conditions Discover Tools Connect. People should ensure that their doctor is aware of all their previous health conditions and current medications when discussing taking corticosteroids.I'm an asthma sufferer who was diagnosed after developing thyroid disease. I have allergy-induced asthma, and I am allergic to albuterol. My physicians have me take prednisone when I have an attack. Are there any other options for me? I always suffer when I take the steroid. Yes, there are other options for you.
Albuterol is a symptom reliever. It relaxes and opens the airways and works within a few minutes to relieve chest tightness and that dry asthma cough. Albuterol does not treat the inflammation in the lung linings that actually causes the symptoms of asthma , and it does not help prevent symptoms. Specific medications in this group include in no particular order Flovent, Pulmicort , QVAR , Asmanex , and many others, both brand-name and generic.
These are medicines that are similar to prednisone, but the dose is much lower than prednisone taken by mouth, and the side effects are dramatically reduced.
Inhaled corticosteroids work because the medicine is delivered directly to the lung. Another type of controller medication, which is different from either albuterol or steroids, are the pills for asthma, Accolate zafirlukast and Singulair montelukast.
These medications are taken orally each day, and treat inflammation in the lungs. They are usually given to people who need a little more treatment beyond a steroid inhaler. These medicines do not have the side effects of prednisone , and they are generally not as strong as prednisone either.
But they work well for some people. Please talk to your PCP about trying something to control your asthma symptoms. You certainly do have options. A week or 10 days of small doses of prednisone is like a magic bullet. All asthma symptoms completely disappear, only to return gradually after a month or so.
What is implied when asthma symptoms are so responsive to prednisone - does it mean that the symptoms are more allergy-based? I don't manifest allergic symptoms like runny nose or itchiness. My symptoms are more classically asthma-like. Would that prednisone were not so generally ill-advised! Prednisone is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory medicine and, fortunately, anti-inflammatory treatment works for you.
Since the source of your inflammation is unclear, allergy evaluation with skin testing seems warranted. A combination of inhaled steroids and antihistamines drugs that block the action of histamines , which can cause itching, sneezing and watery eyes or antileukotrienes medications that inhibit the action of substances called leukotrienes, which trigger asthma symptoms will probably be extremely effective for you and reduce the need for oral steroids.
I cannot live without prednisone. How harmful to my body is this? I have tried every new asthma medication on the market. Nothing works for long. Only prednisone works. I am sure that there will be long-term effects on my body.
I have already been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. I was told the prednisone was the cause. Will prednisone eventually kill me? Prednisone is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory medicine.
Unfortunately, there are many side effects associated with it, the most common being osteoporosis , or weakening of the bones. Prolonged steroid use also puts you at increased risk for cataracts , glaucoma , fluid retention , frequent infections, weight gain, skin problems, and mood disorders.
Oral steroids like prednisone should only be used as maintenance medication in the most severe cases of asthma. There are many excellent treatments for asthma , including a variety of inhaled steroids, which are the cornerstone of modern asthma therapy. Keep working with your asthma specialist. It would be prudent for you to be re-evaluated to see if a combination of the existing remedies helps with your symptoms and allows you to cut back on the prednisone.
You may also benefit by working with an allergist to identify potential asthma triggers , both inside and outside the home.
A careful examination of your living and working environments may be in order, once you know more about allergens. Many asthma triggers can be eliminated or avoided, and in your case this would be time and effort well spent. I have chronic severe asthma and I have attacks every morning.
I have recently stopped taking high doses of prednisone, which I took for 14 years straight. I do not want to take prednisone anymore. I want to know how to prevent these really scary attacks - any ideas? You should follow up with your physician so that he or she can discuss with you the numerous asthma controller medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting bronchodilators, leukotriene modifiers, mast cell stabilizers, methylxanthines, anti-IgE therapy if appropriate and possibly others that are currently available and will hopefully eliminate or at least minimize your need for prednisone.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Asthma Center. Health Conditions A-Z. Health Tools. See All. DailyOM Courses. By Dr. Anna Feldweg. Reviewed: July 6,
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