Prednisone, Treatment for Myositis
Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is usually the first line of treatment for Myositis. Other medications that help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system are usually added while decreasing prednisone.
Prednisone is usually a fast acting treatment that we call a “wonder drug” but has many side-effects.
Short term effects: weight gain, increased appetite, mood swings, insomnia, irritability, increase in blood sugar, and flushing of the skin.
Long term effects: steroid-induced diabetes, osteoporosis, glaucoma and cataracts. Our adrenal glands naturally produce steroids (cortisol) and when taking prednisone they fail to continue producing this.
Tapering, slowing reducing the dosage of prednisone, is essential to allow time for our adrenal glands to recover and start producing our natural steroids again.
The steroid prednisone should not be confused with anabolic steroids used by athletes.
For more detailed information on Prednisone, visit this link: https://understandingmyositis.org/docs/Prednisone.pdf
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