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Does Prednisone Cause Constipation?
Key points:
– Prednisone is a widely-administered glucocorticoid drug
– This med is prescribed for treating inflammatory conditions like arthritis and swellings due to asthma or bronchitis
– Prednisone may trigger constipation in some users. But this effect is not observed among all people who took prednisone
– It is a good practice to drink a lot of water, take up walking as it eases bowel movements and also consume foods with fibers
Glucocorticoids are steroidal chemicals; these have a vital link to moderating responses of your immune system. When your body is overreacting, glucocorticoids suppress inflammation or internal swellings. This capability makes them a standard choice for treating several autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma and asthma.
As an extended use, glucocorticoids can manage inadequacy of stress hormones like of adrenalin; also, spikes in calcium levels in your blood can also be controlled with such steroidal meds.
What Is Prednisone?
Prednisone is one of the commonly prescribed glucocorticoid meds. It is known for its properties control the way your immune system functions. Prednisone is used for the case management of inflammatory conditions / those which may trigger a swelling deep within.
It is a widely accepted practice to use prednisone for rheumatic diseases, lung-related conditions like asthma – to name a few. Prednisone was patented in 1950s, and launched in same-decade.
Prednisone has soared high on popularity charts. It is today ranked – by WHO – as an important med. Its availability as a generic med makes it more economical than branded drugs. The drug has already breached 20-million-level in terms of prescriptions each year.
Prednisone For Various Medical Conditions
Prednisone is administered for breathing conditions; chiefly, bronchial asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis. The typical dosage plan involves intake of 40 mg – taken on a daily basis. At times, you are advised to split it as two distinctive doses per day; in such cases, make each dose evenly separated from the other.
This corticosteroid is also taken for treating pains in your back – especially pains caused by lumbosacral-radiculopathy. In such cases, you may be prescribed with a medication plan of 60 milligrams of prednisone – consumed every day, all through your dosage plan. The typical duration of the plan extends to as high as 7 days’ time. You may be advised to taper the final few doses – this is done to prevent symptoms of dependencies on this med.
So, Does Prednisone Cause Constipation?
Like most steroidal meds, prednisone causes a few adverse / undesired side effects. Most commonly encountered side effects are becoming nauseated, spells of splitting headache, development of anxieties shedding of scalp hair, disturbed sleeping cycles / insomnia, etc. In some users, a sudden build-up of fats / fluids – leading to a spike in weight is noticed.
Upon sensing any of these unwanted outcomes, it is highly recommended to talk to your caregiving team on a priority basis.
Prednisone (and such other meds of the same genre) is likely to cause difficulties to pass stools. But spells of constipation are not observed in all users; this side effect is observed only among a fraction of patients who took prednisone.
Upon sensing problems in discharge of stools, you are advised to take a lot of fluids like water. Your dietitian may tell you to take at last 12 cups of water each day. You can also consider walking for long; walking is known to boost bowel movements and ease up stools. It is an equally good thing to eat a lot of fiber-based food items.
Foods such as bananas, berries, pears, oats, carrots, apples, spinach, tomato – to name a few – are rich in fibers. You can also include lentils, chickpeas, almonds, sweet potato, etc. as part of your daily diet.
If your problem (i.e., difficulties to discharge stools in a smooth manner) worsens, you are advised to talk to your caregiver. He / she may prescribe stool softeners or laxatives. But, never use these meds for long. Those who took for more than 4 days develop dependencies to these meds. In other words, continued use may lead to discharge of stools only after using a laxative or stool softening agent.
Constipation is observed more among those who take cancer meds i.e., chemo drugs – along with prednisone. Such gastric problems are largely linked to chemo medications than to this corticosteroid. You can talk to your doctor if bowel movements decline to once per 2 – 3 days. You need to know daily bowel movements are a key characteristic of overall gastric wellbeing.
Pointers for the safe use of corticosteroid meds like prednisone
It is not a good thing to crush or bite prednisone. The pill neds to be swallowed with a few ounces (say, 7 ounces) of water. You can also consider taking the tablet with fruit juice. However, avoid carbonated or fizzy drinks for taking the pill.
Those who have missed taking a pill need to take one as soon you remember. However, if ample time has lapsed and your next dose is already approaching – skip the missed dose. But if you have forgotten multiple doses, consult your pharmacist; he / she will help in rescheduling your dosage plan.
Caveat: It can be dangerous to suddenly discontinue intake of meds like prednisone. An abrupt discontinuation can lead to signs of withdrawal like sleeplessness, anxieties and tremors. The caregiving team will taper the last few doses to help avoid such withdrawal conditions. Tapering is not needed if you have taken low doses of Prednisone for a few days i.e., less than a week. However, if you took prednisone – of doses in excess of 40 milligrams and for more than a week – tapering of final dosing is needed.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs Referred
Side effects of prednisolone tablets and liquid – NHS
Managing Prednisone Side Effects
Prednisone Side Effects: Common and Severe
Can Steroids Cause Constipation? Medication Side Effects
Prednisone oral tablet side effects: Mild to serious
Prednisone Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings – Drugs.com
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
Key points:
– Prednisone is a widely-administered glucocorticoid drug
– This med is prescribed for treating inflammatory conditions like arthritis and swellings due to asthma or bronchitis
– Prednisone may trigger constipation in some users. But this effect is not observed among all people who took prednisone
– It is a good practice to drink a lot of water, take up walking as it eases bowel movements and also consume foods with fibers
Glucocorticoids are steroidal chemicals; these have a vital link to moderating responses of your immune system. When your body is overreacting, glucocorticoids suppress inflammation or internal swellings. This capability makes them a standard choice for treating several autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma and asthma.
As an extended use, glucocorticoids can manage inadequacy of stress hormones like of adrenalin; also, spikes in calcium levels in your blood can also be controlled with such steroidal meds.
What Is Prednisone?
Prednisone is one of the commonly prescribed glucocorticoid meds. It is known for its properties control the way your immune system functions. Prednisone is used for the case management of inflammatory conditions / those which may trigger a swelling deep within.
It is a widely accepted practice to use prednisone for rheumatic diseases, lung-related conditions like asthma – to name a few. Prednisone was patented in 1950s, and launched in same-decade.
Prednisone has soared high on popularity charts. It is today ranked – by WHO – as an important med. Its availability as a generic med makes it more economical than branded drugs. The drug has already breached 20-million-level in terms of prescriptions each year.
Prednisone For Various Medical Conditions
Prednisone is administered for breathing conditions; chiefly, bronchial asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis. The typical dosage plan involves intake of 40 mg – taken on a daily basis. At times, you are advised to split it as two distinctive doses per day; in such cases, make each dose evenly separated from the other.
This corticosteroid is also taken for treating pains in your back – especially pains caused by lumbosacral-radiculopathy. In such cases, you may be prescribed with a medication plan of 60 milligrams of prednisone – consumed every day, all through your dosage plan. The typical duration of the plan extends to as high as 7 days’ time. You may be advised to taper the final few doses – this is done to prevent symptoms of dependencies on this med.
So, Does Prednisone Cause Constipation?
Like most steroidal meds, prednisone causes a few adverse / undesired side effects. Most commonly encountered side effects are becoming nauseated, spells of splitting headache, development of anxieties shedding of scalp hair, disturbed sleeping cycles / insomnia, etc. In some users, a sudden build-up of fats / fluids – leading to a spike in weight is noticed.
Upon sensing any of these unwanted outcomes, it is highly recommended to talk to your caregiving team on a priority basis.
Prednisone (and such other meds of the same genre) is likely to cause difficulties to pass stools. But spells of constipation are not observed in all users; this side effect is observed only among a fraction of patients who took prednisone.
Upon sensing problems in discharge of stools, you are advised to take a lot of fluids like water. Your dietitian may tell you to take at last 12 cups of water each day. You can also consider walking for long; walking is known to boost bowel movements and ease up stools. It is an equally good thing to eat a lot of fiber-based food items.
Foods such as bananas, berries, pears, oats, carrots, apples, spinach, tomato – to name a few – are rich in fibers. You can also include lentils, chickpeas, almonds, sweet potato, etc. as part of your daily diet.
If your problem (i.e., difficulties to discharge stools in a smooth manner) worsens, you are advised to talk to your caregiver. He / she may prescribe stool softeners or laxatives. But, never use these meds for long. Those who took for more than 4 days develop dependencies to these meds. In other words, continued use may lead to discharge of stools only after using a laxative or stool softening agent.
Constipation is observed more among those who take cancer meds i.e., chemo drugs – along with prednisone. Such gastric problems are largely linked to chemo medications than to this corticosteroid. You can talk to your doctor if bowel movements decline to once per 2 – 3 days. You need to know daily bowel movements are a key characteristic of overall gastric wellbeing.
Pointers for the safe use of corticosteroid meds like prednisone
It is not a good thing to crush or bite prednisone. The pill neds to be swallowed with a few ounces (say, 7 ounces) of water. You can also consider taking the tablet with fruit juice. However, avoid carbonated or fizzy drinks for taking the pill.
Those who have missed taking a pill need to take one as soon you remember. However, if ample time has lapsed and your next dose is already approaching – skip the missed dose. But if you have forgotten multiple doses, consult your pharmacist; he / she will help in rescheduling your dosage plan.
Caveat: It can be dangerous to suddenly discontinue intake of meds like prednisone. An abrupt discontinuation can lead to signs of withdrawal like sleeplessness, anxieties and tremors. The caregiving team will taper the last few doses to help avoid such withdrawal conditions. Tapering is not needed if you have taken low doses of Prednisone for a few days i.e., less than a week. However, if you took prednisone – of doses in excess of 40 milligrams and for more than a week – tapering of final dosing is needed.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs Referred
Side effects of prednisolone tablets and liquid – NHS
Managing Prednisone Side Effects
Prednisone Side Effects: Common and Severe
Can Steroids Cause Constipation? Medication Side Effects
Prednisone oral tablet side effects: Mild to serious
Prednisone Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings – Drugs.com
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
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