- Used to treat the breathing problems of asthma
- Used in the treatment of skin conditions like psoriasis, lupus and eczema.
- Used to relive the symptoms of arthritis and colitis.
Deltasone is the brand name of the generic drug Prednisone which is manufactured by Macleod’s. It is available as tablets and they come in strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 50 mg.
Indications
This drug is indicated in the treatment of asthma, arthritis, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and allergies. It is a steroid and it acts as a symptom reliever for many conditions.
Action
This drug belongs to a group of adrenocortical steroids called glucocorticoids. These occur naturally in the body and the synthetic one is also absorbed very easily in the digestive tract. This drug acts on and prevents the release of certain substances in the body which are responsible for inflammation. It exercises this anti-inflammatory action on many parts of the body which is why it is used to treat so many ailments.
Side Effects
There could be side effects which are serious and not so serious. Whatever the case, if you are one of the few that react to this medication, you must see a doctor immediately. The not so serious ones are nausea and vomiting, insomnia, headaches, feeling dizzy, dry skin and acne, easy bruising and mood swings. The more serious ones are stools with blood, blurred vision, seizures or depression, low potassium levels, difficulty breathing, high blood pressure and swelling of the face and throat. These serious side effects can be life-threatening and this is why it is imperative that the person gets emergency medical treatment as soon as possible.
Caution
You need to be very frank with your doctor about your medical history. You will also need to let him know if you have any medical problem and what medication you are taking for it. This is because certain drugs can react badly with others. You should let him know what vitamins and supplements you are taking, even if they are herbal. Any smoking, drug or alcohol abuse history needs to be conveyed. You should also tell him about any recent infections so he can adjust the strength of the medication accordingly as then, you will need a stronger dose for a while.
Contraindications
This drug should not be taken if you are allergic to it or if you have a fungal infection. You must be aware that many other ailments that you have could be affected by this steroid. You will also begin to lose a lot of your immunity which will make you susceptible to infections. You should not be vaccinated with a ‘live’ vaccine while you are taking this. Wearing a medical tag saying that you are on this particular steroid would be a good idea. Pregnant women and nursing mothers would do their babies a great favor if they avoided using this as there is no way yet of telling if the baby is harmed whether in the womb or being nursed.