Prednisone is a steroid drug used to reduce inflammation and treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, as well as certain types of cancer, eye diseases, blood disorders, severe allergies and abnormal adrenal gland development. If you need to take several doses a day and miss a dose take a tablet of prednisone as soon as you remember. If you remember about the missed dose only when it’s time for the next one you can take a double dose. Side effects this drug may cause include psychotic behavior, mood changes, insomnia, personality changes, euphoria, or severe depression. If your treatment involves high dosage of this medicine side effects may include fluid retention and high blood pressure.

Long-term treatment with prednisone can lead to eye problems (glaucoma, fungal eye infection, cataracts) and buildup of adrenal hormones. The buildup of adrenalin hormones can cause the condition called Cushing’s syndrome characterized by weight gain, fragile skin, muscle weakness, purplish strip marks on the skin, women being affected more often than men. It’s not recommended to get vaccination against smallpox or immunization while taking this medicine, as it may be inefficient. For patients with conditions as liver cirrhosis or underactive thyroid gland a lower dosage of prednisone can be prescribed.