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Can Ibruprofen Be Taken To Help Wean Off Prednisolone?
Question: Our 6 yr son was prescribed a tapering 15 day treatment of predinisolone 15 mg/5 ml. for an allergic reaction to Bactrim. 7.5 ml 5 days, 5 ml 5 days, then 2.5 ml 5 days. His last does was yesterday. Should we give him any ibuprofen for a few days to help wean him off of drugs or anything else we need to watch?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
No need to give ibuprofen
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Prednisone is a steroid and when consumed for more than 7 days in a dose of 2 mg/kg/day it suppresses hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.To avoid the withdrawal symptoms it should be tapered over a period of time and then stopped.
Due to external administration the hormonal secretion by adrenal gland decreases and it resumes over a period of 10-15 days gradually once the medicine stopped.
The average weight of a 6 years old child is about 20 kgs.So the last dose which you have given is less than 0.5 mg/kg/day. If this dose has been given for last 7 days the chances of withdrawal symptoms are very unlikely.The withdrawal symptoms can be body ache, headache,nausea,abdominal pain,low blood sugar,depression etc.
Be watchful for any abnormal symptoms.
I won't get overly worried in the current situation and won't suggest you to give Ibuprofen.
I hope this answers your query.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Regards
No need to give ibuprofen
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Prednisone is a steroid and when consumed for more than 7 days in a dose of 2 mg/kg/day it suppresses hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.To avoid the withdrawal symptoms it should be tapered over a period of time and then stopped.
Due to external administration the hormonal secretion by adrenal gland decreases and it resumes over a period of 10-15 days gradually once the medicine stopped.
The average weight of a 6 years old child is about 20 kgs.So the last dose which you have given is less than 0.5 mg/kg/day. If this dose has been given for last 7 days the chances of withdrawal symptoms are very unlikely.The withdrawal symptoms can be body ache, headache,nausea,abdominal pain,low blood sugar,depression etc.
Be watchful for any abnormal symptoms.
I won't get overly worried in the current situation and won't suggest you to give Ibuprofen.
I hope this answers your query.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
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