JOHN LI, M.D.
OTOLOGY NEUROTOLOGY RESOURCES
210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd #5105
Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone: (561)-748-4445
Fax: (561)-748-4449
Email: Dr-Li@Dr-Li.net
Prednisone Regimen
Your doctor has prescribed a corticosteroid (Prednisone) to help your problem. It may not be wise for you to take this if you have tuberculosis, diabetes, severe high blood pressure, psychiatric illness or a duodenal ulcer. Because steroids can affect many body systems there are occasional side effects you should be aware of and precautions you should take:
1. Adhere to the dosage schedule that your doctor has advised. Do not discontinue the medication without his advice.
2. Because stomach ulcers are an occasional complication of steroid therapy, you should take one ounce of an antacid preparation like Maalox, Mylanta, and so forth with each steroid use. You may use an over the counter preparation such as Pepcid AC or Zantac. Also avoid aspirin, alcohol and nicotine, substances which aggravate ulcer symptoms.
3. Steroids may influence your mood, resulting in nervousness, insomnia; or just the opposite, a sense of well-being.
4. Steroids can influence your response to infection or injury. Should you develop an acute infection or have a severe injury inform your doctor that you are taking corticosteroids.
5. When taken for a short period, as prescribed, side effects are uncommon. Prolonged treatment at high dosages may result in some puffiness of the face, fullness in the back, neck and shoulders, a weight gain, increased bone fragility, adrenal gland suppression (which affects your body’s ability to manufacture its own steroid hormones), acne and increased facial hair.
Two week Prednisone Dosage Schedule: (strong, for younger patients and Medrol Failures)
Prednisone 10 mg. tablets:
Days 1-9 - 6 tablets in the morning
Day 10 - 4 tablets in the morning
Day 11 - 3 tablets in the morning
Day 12 - 2 tablets in the morning
Day 13 - 1 tablet in the morning
Day 14 - 1 tablet in the morning
First Line Regimen (fewer side effects but weaker)
Medrol Dosepak:
Day 1: 6 tablets in the morning
Day 2: 5 tablets in the morning
Day 3: 4 tablets in the morning
Day 4: 3 tablets in the morning
Day 5: 2 tablets in the morning
Day 6: 1 tablet in the morning
If you experience any unusual side-effects, please call.