Always taper prednisone gradually; never stop abruptly. Sudden cessation can trigger adrenal insufficiency, a serious condition where your body doesn’t produce enough cortisol.
Why Taper? Your body adapts to prednisone, suppressing your adrenal glands’ natural cortisol production. Slow reduction allows your body to resume normal cortisol function, minimizing withdrawal symptoms.
How to Taper: Your doctor will create a personalized tapering schedule, but here’s a general idea:
- Frequency: Reduce the dose at intervals determined by your doctor (daily, every other day, or weekly). Amount: Decreases are usually small, for example, 2.5mg or 5mg at a time. Duration: Tapering often spans weeks or months, depending on your dosage and treatment duration.
Common Tapering Schedules (Examples – Always follow your doctor’s instructions):
Slow Taper (for high doses or prolonged use): Reduce by 2.5mg every other day until reaching a low dose, then reduce by 2.5mg weekly. Moderate Taper (for moderate doses or shorter use): Reduce by 5mg every 3-7 days, depending on your response.
Monitoring Your Progress: Regularly check in with your doctor for monitoring. They’ll assess your symptoms and adjust the schedule as needed. Be prepared to report any new or worsening symptoms.
Potential Withdrawal Symptoms: These can include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, nausea, and mood changes. Your doctor can help manage these.
Remember: This information is for general understanding. Always discuss your specific tapering plan with your physician. They will tailor the process to your individual needs and health conditions.
