Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Prednisone

Posted on Mon, 26 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 Answered on

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm a dialysis patient who has been on 20mg of prednisone in am and 20mg in pm. just got cut to 30 mg a day and then wean myself off 5mg at a time. I would like to get off it in a week or two cuz I'm getting bad side effects like mood swings,forgetfulness ,weak bones,so I can I wean myself off in a week or two

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tapering should be ideally done in a 2 week period

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.

I understand your concern.

Its always better to get off the steroids in a 2 week taper as follows .

Day 1-30 mg--20 mg am,10mg pm.

Day 2-30 mg--20 mg am,10mg pm.

Day 3-30 mg--20 mg am,10mg pm.

Day 4-20 mg--10mg am,10mg pm.

Day 5-20 mg-10mg am,10mg pm.

Day 6-20 mg--10mg am,10mg pm.

Day 7- 10 mg--5mg am,5mg pm.

Day 8-10 mg--5mg am,5mg pm.

Day 9-10 mg--5 mg am,5mg pm.

Day 10-5 mg--2.5mg am,2.5mg pm.

Day 11-5 mg--2.5mg am,2.5 mg pm.

Day 12-2.5mg--2.5mg am only.

Day 13-2.5mg--2.5mg am only.

Day 14- half tablet of 2.5 mg am only.

Day 15-OFF

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar