Prednisone [posted 7/21/98] Question: My wife has recently been prescribed the drug Prednisone for Ulcerative Colitis. I know its a steroid, but what does it do and what are the side effects? Is it hard to get off of it afterwards?
Prednisone is a steroid and this steroid (and most of them) are strong anti-inflammatories. Since her disease is a disease of inflammation/immune system, this medication will reduce the inflammation, thickening and pain of the disease. Hopefully, inducing a remission which will last for a while-depending on the severity of her UC. However, there is a price- steroids speed up the aging process. That is, cause cataracts, hardening of the arteries, thinning of the bones, muscle weakness, etc. Unfortunately, there is no drug alternative that reduces the inflammation without these side effects. We try to use the least steroid to achieve the needed result. She should be taking Fosamax or something equivalent while she is on the steroid to reduce the bone loss. They are not addicting, but will suppress her own ability to produce steroids by her adrenal glands. This necessitates a taper if they have been used a long time (over 3 months for young people, 1-2 months for those over 65). Abrupt St
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