Prednisone is a prescription corticosteroid medication used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Prednisone on prescription serves to replace the body’s naturally generated steroids. Inflammation and other symptoms are probable when there is an inadequate balance of these hormones in the body. In this write-up, we will discuss how long does prednisone stay in your system, uses and dosage. 

How Long Does Prednisone Stay In Your System?

Understanding the timeline of how long prednisone stays in and leaves the system can help patients follow their dosage schedule and anticipate potential side effects. 

• After taking prednisone, levels quickly rise in the body and peak within 1-2 hours. Prednisone has a half-life of around 3-4 hours on average, meaning that the level of the drug in the blood decreases by about 50% every 3-4 hours. 

• About 75% of the drug will be eliminated in the first 24 hours after ingestion. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of prednisone can last much longer, from 12 hours to over 3 days depending on the dosage.

• Some sources indicate that it takes around 11-13 hours for prednisone to be completely eliminated from the body after a single dose. 

There are several factors that can affect how long does prednisone stay in your system. 

• Dosage: Higher doses will take longer to be metabolised and excreted. A 40mg dose could take 18-36 hours to fully clear the system.

• Formulation: Immediate release forms are eliminated faster than delayed or extended release forms. Tablets and syrups act more rapidly than solutions. 

• Liver metabolism: Impaired liver function can substantially slow clearance of the drug.

• Kidney function: Prednisone is eliminated primarily through the kidneys, so kidney disease or insufficiency will prolong excretion.

• Age: Older individuals tend to have slower metabolic rate and excretion of medications.

• Other medical conditions: Diseases that affect liver or kidney function can delay prednisone elimination.

• Interacting medications: Drugs that inhibit enzymes in the liver needed to metabolise prednisone can increase its half-life.

When taken regularly for chronic conditions like arthritis, prednisone can accumulate in the body. If you are wondering how long does prednisone stay in your system, you should know that it might take 1-4 weeks for long-term daily doses of prednisone to clear the system after stopping treatment. 

Uses of Prednisone

Now that you know how long does prednisone stay in your system, let’s have a look at its uses. 

1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Prednisone is frequently prescribed for patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By suppressing the overactive immune system, prednisone reduces intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It can be used for short-term flare-ups or long-term maintenance. However, side effects limit its long-term use, so newer steroid-sparing agents are sometimes prescribed.

2. Arthritis 

Prednisone is a standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory types of arthritis like psoriatic arthritis. It decreases joint pain, swelling, and stiffness by modulating the immune system. Low doses taken regularly can provide ongoing relief of arthritis symptoms. Joint injections of prednisone may also be given for direct anti-inflammatory effects.

3. Asthma

Oral prednisone is used in both adults and children to control acute asthma attacks and prevent recurrence of severe symptoms. It is part of emergency treatment plans for asthma exacerbations. Prednisone tablets or liquid forms reduce airway inflammation and open up breathing passages. Inhaled steroids are usually preferred for long-term control.

4. Allergic Reactions 

Prednisone is highly effective for treating severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis to foods, insect stings, or medications. It prevents the release of substances like histamine that cause hives, breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, and other symptoms. Prednisone helps quickly reduce swelling, open airways, and improve blood pressure.

5. COPD Flare-ups

Prednisone is given to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when they experience acute worsening of shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. By reducing airway inflammation, it helps open up the airways and improve breathing. Prednisone allows COPD patients to recover faster from flare-ups.

6. Multiple Sclerosis Relapses

High dose intravenous (IV) steroids like prednisone are used to treat exacerbations of symptoms in multiple sclerosis. They speed recovery from acute relapses affecting vision, strength, coordination, or sensation. Prednisone is thought to restore the blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation in the central nervous system.

7. Severe Poison Ivy Rash

A short course of high-dose prednisone tablets or injections can rapidly reduce the painful itching and blistering of severe poison ivy rashes. The anti-inflammatory effects help control the body’s exaggerated response to the plant oil allergen. Topical creams are not strong enough, so oral or injected prednisone is preferred.

Dosage of Prednisone 

Besides knowing how long does prednisone stay in your system and it’s uses, it is also important to know the dosage. Prednisone dosage needs to be carefully adjusted based on age, weight, gender, and medical condition. Children generally require lower doses than adults. Recommended dosages are:

1. Children: 

• Infants under 1 year: 0.5-2 mg/kg daily or every other day

• Children 1-5 years: 0.5-2 mg/kg daily or every other day 

• Older children: 0.5-2 mg/kg daily or every other day

Lower doses are often used for infants and younger children. The high end of the dosage range may be needed for severe inflammatory conditions. Doses are given once or twice per day, or every other day.  

2. Adults:

• Adult males: 10-60 mg per day 

• Adult females: 10-60 mg per day

• Elderly patients: 5-40 mg per day 

For short-term treatment of acute inflammation, adult males may take 40-60 mg per day. Adult females are often prescribed slightly lower doses in the range of 20-50 mg daily. The elderly should start at just 5-10 mg per day due to increased sensitivity to prednisone.

Overview

 

This shall clear your doubts on how long does prednisone stay in your system. But you must remember that overuse of this drug might cause adrenal gland injury. Your adrenal glands naturally produce hormones like adrenaline, which are essential for controlling your heart rate and blood pressure. That is why it is safer to consult your physician before taking it.

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