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What Are The Side Effects Of Orapred?

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Question: My grandchild often has upper respiratory infections and this 4 year old is using albuerol and Orapred really often. If the mother doesn't get Orapred from the regular doctor she has gone to the Emergency room and gotten it there later the same day. I am concerned about the side effects of this over a period of time. Is there any reason to worry?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is a steroid - but when it is needed it has to be given

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... I agree with you that it is a steroid. But when it is needed it has to be given. At the same time it need not be given unnecessarily. But 2 doses are not going to harm or produce side effects...so do not worry.

By what you quote I feel that your grandchild might be having a wheezing. It could be a viral associated wheeze or a multi triggered wheezing. Please answer the questions below so that I can guide you even better.

Questions:
1. How many days per month does she cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month does her sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does she feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?

Get back to me with answers to above questions please.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

The child doesn't cough much (I only heard her cough once yesterday and I was with her all day)and I haven't observed any signs of her feeling breathless. I have not been aware of any sleep problems due to coughing or wheezing. She doesn't ever slow down when playing with other children. In fact she is very hyper most of the time. She does have allergies and often has a runny nose. It was recommended by a doctor at one point that she should be on antihistamines regularly when she is having allergy problems. That doesn't happen. Sometimes she has fever when she is sick like only in the early morning, then without treatment it goes away. Her mother does have asthma which appears to be triggered by emotions.
I think she is getting these medications very often - at least every month to 6 weeks for a week or two at a time. I'm not worries about occasional use, but over a period of time what side effects might we watch for?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Monthly once steroid use not warranted

Detailed Answer:
Hi....monthly once or 6 weeks once steroids may not cause any side effects. But consistent or daily use might have side effects like puffy face, weight gain, brittleness of bones, lowered immunity, skin thinning, growth retardation etc.

But as per the history you have provided I don't see a need to use steroids every month. Rather than this I would prefer to use inhaled bronchodilators like Salbutamol, Levosalbutamol.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

The medications this 4 year old is taking include an antibiotic, Nucinex,,albuterol, Oraparedm, and Claritin. Is there a conflict with any of these medicines? Also, I have heard that Mucinex can damage hearing if used a lot and often. Is that true?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can give those medicines

Detailed Answer:
Hi...you can give those medicines. No serious or life threatening drug interactions.

Mucinex is a drug which clears or makes the mucus less tenacious. It doesn't cause hearing loss. Don't worry.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

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