Prednisolone

Common side effects include:

• Upset stomach, nausea or vomiting
• Take this medication after food to reduce chances of an upset stomach.
• Unable to sleep or feeling restless
• Do not take this medication at night, try to take it earlier in the day or afternoon.
• Water retention, increase in weight
• Muscle weakness or cramps (with long term use)
• Easy bruising

Inform the doctor if any of the above side effects lasts for more than a few days or if they become severe.

Other rare but serious effects that may occur include:

• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores or wounds that will not heal
• Signs of high blood sugar, such as confusion, feeling very tired, increased thirst, increased hunger, passing urine more often, flushing or fast breathing
• Very bad stomach pain
• Swelling, warmth, numbness, changes in colour or pain affecting the legs or arms
• Change in vision
• Bone pain or fractures
• Mood changes like feeling depressed, anxious, fluctuating feelings
• Abnormal bruising or bleeding, including black tarry or bloody stools or vomiting

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your healthcare professional immediately.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have any of the following conditions
• Tuberculosis or other infections
• Stomach ulcer
• Severe depression
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Kidney, liver, heart or thyroid problems
• Osteoporosis where you have thin or brittle bones
• Any form of cancer
• Glaucoma (a type of eye condition linked to increased pressure in the eye)

• You are planning to receive any vaccinations
• You are going for surgery or skin tests

You may get infections more easily while being treated with this medication. Avoid crowded places or being near people who are sick. Avoid close contact with people who have chicken pox, shingles or measles. See a doctor if you develop fever, sore throat or other signs of infection.

​Avoid taking alcohol with this medication to reduce the chance of an upset stomach.

If your doctor has put you on a low salt diet, follow this dietary instruction strictly. This is usually to prevent excessive water retention.

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional. You may need to slowly reduce the dose taken before stopping the medication completely.
• Take this medication with or after food to prevent stomach upset.
• Do not take more medication than prescribed to as this may increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

​If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.