Prednisone for cold and flu. Prednisone works well for range of conditions, but can have many side effects
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The Best Flu Treatment For You - Consumer Reports
Photo illustration of the possible side effects to prednisone. Ted Crow, The Plain Dealer. They are among the wildly diverse conditions for which doctors prescribe the corticosteroid prednisone. All of these ailments involve inflammation, and as a steroid, prednisone is a potent anti-inflammatory.
If you talk to friends and acquaintances, you'll likely find a few who are taking prednisone, or just having got off it, or whose child or other family member is taking it. This winter especially, a number of people suffered not only from flu, but respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and parainfluenza 3.
For patients whose lungs were already compromised by asthma, for example, doctors say they often prescribed prednisone. One of the reasons taking this steroid becomes a frequent topic of conversation is because of the pronounced side effects that some people who take it experience.
Physicians prescribe a drug that makes some people feel awful with such significant side effects for one reason. You'd be hard-pressed to find one that doesn't.
Often, a patient's first introduction to prednisone is when a child or adult has a severe upper respiratory infection, asthma or pneumonia. He has found that parents are often upset because children can have dramatic reactions to it. If they are already somewhat hyperactive, their behavior can become worse, Craven said.
So he tells parents of that possibility upfront. If a patient -- a child or adult -- takes prednisone for more than a few weeks or months, the side effects can be far more serious. Taking the drug long-term, as, for example, people with MS or lupus might, increases the risk of cataracts and, more commonly, of bone loss. Diminished bone density and osteoporosis are well-known complications of oral prednisone treatment.
A study of injected corticosteroids found that a single shot into the spine for back pain reduced bone mineral density of the hip. Whether administered by injection, in pills or through an inhaler, steroids weaken bones. So, doctors often advise patients on prednisone to take extra vitamin D and calcium; osteoporosis medications may even be prescribed to prevent fractures.
They also recommend that people take prednisone with food or milk to limit stomach discomfort. Because of prednisone's side effects, doctors often prescribe it in a step-down dosage -- a blast of higher doses at the beginning, then tapering off. Prednisone suppresses the immune system and adrenal function, so doctors say that if you stop cold turkey, the adrenal glands may not respond as they would normally.
This is a condition called "adrenal insufficiency. Gradually weaning from prednisone allows the adrenals to begin functioning as they did before the patient began taking the steroid. People who are taking prednisone for months or years suffer not only from long-term side effects, but may continue to suffer from the short-term "nuisance" symptoms. Those can have a deleterious effects on a person's life and personality -- and on the people around them. If a person does have a serious reaction, doctors can instead opt for one of seven subclasses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.
Examples include meloxicam or even aspirin or ibuprofen. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor if your body is reacting badly. Treatment was sought for rheumatoid arthritis. Prednisone has been dubbed "a 20th-century wonder drug.
Before prednisone, doctors say, there weren't effective treatments for conditions or illnesses such as lupus, severe psoriasis, asthma, bacterial meningitis or a serious case of pneumonia. Prednisone was developed in a long process that was originally connected to the search for a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, says Abelson.
More than a century ago, doctors knew that women with rheumatoid arthritis felt significantly better when they were pregnant. They began to wonder if a naturally occurring hormone could be the reason for that. Research began to be conducted in a number of countries, including the United States and Canada, in the s.
Clinical trials in the U. Ina team at a major pharmaceutical company, Schering, converted cortisone into the stronger prednisone. The team's leader, Arthur Nobile, was granted the patent inwhen production of the new drug got under way. But it wasn't until the s that the drug began to be far more widely prescribed, says Dr.
Inflammation a factor in many conditions. Ernie Boyd, executive director of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association, says there is another explanation, too. After, they began prescribing prednisone to deal with the inflammation.
Its effectiveness began to make it a go-to drug. That it was an inexpensive generic made it even more popular as a prescription, doctors say. Michael Wascovich, director of the Cleveland Clinic's pharmacies, says prednisone is among the top medicines prescribed by doctors. Certainly, some patients feel the unpleasant effects.
Every drug has risks and benefits, and so too does prednisone, he says. Patients have to weigh their concerns against the severity of the condition that's being treated.
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If cost is a concern, know that many health insurers are currently covering Tamiflu as a generic or at the lowest cost "tier" for brand-name drugs. Lipman, M. In the case of one vitamin—vitamin D—some research does suggest that supplements may modestly reduce the risk of upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu.
But those results were mainly seen in people who were very deficient in the vitamin. And, notes Heather Free, Pharm D. Homeopathic products , which are classified by the FDA as medications and may sit on drugstore shelves next to over-the-counter drugs, are a different matter. In homeopathy, a presumed active ingredient—in Oscillococcinum, it's an extract of wild duck heart and liver—is diluted to the point where it's virtually undetectable.
According to Lipman, there's no good evidence that homeopathy works. Consumer Reports reached out to Boiron, the manufacturers of Oscillococcinum. In an emailed statement, a Boiron representative wrote, "Oscillococcinum has remarkable customer satisfaction and a money-back guarantee.
The statement also said: "Oscillococcinum has been shown in two placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms. What should you do if you've got the flu?
Unless you're a candidate for an antiviral, our experts recommend strategies such as rest, getting plenty of fluids, and the use of OTC pain relievers as directed by your doctor. You can also follow the Consumer Reports' day-by-day guide to treating colds and flu.
While most studies on masks have been done in healthcare settings, some suggest they may help stave off flu in other situations, too. It may also help prevent you from passing the virus from your hands to your mouth or nose. Diminished bone density and osteoporosis are well-known complications of oral prednisone treatment. A study of injected corticosteroids found that a single shot into the spine for back pain reduced bone mineral density of the hip.
Whether administered by injection, in pills or through an inhaler, steroids weaken bones. So, doctors often advise patients on prednisone to take extra vitamin D and calcium; osteoporosis medications may even be prescribed to prevent fractures. They also recommend that people take prednisone with food or milk to limit stomach discomfort. Because of prednisone's side effects, doctors often prescribe it in a step-down dosage -- a blast of higher doses at the beginning, then tapering off.
Prednisone suppresses the immune system and adrenal function, so doctors say that if you stop cold turkey, the adrenal glands may not respond as they would normally.
This is a condition called "adrenal insufficiency. Gradually weaning from prednisone allows the adrenals to begin functioning as they did before the patient began taking the steroid.
People who are taking prednisone for months or years suffer not only from long-term side effects, but may continue to suffer from the short-term "nuisance" symptoms. Those can have a deleterious effects on a person's life and personality -- and on the people around them. If a person does have a serious reaction, doctors can instead opt for one of seven subclasses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Examples include meloxicam or even aspirin or ibuprofen. Steroids taken orally have been linked to liver disease, and steroids taken by injection can increase the risk of hepatitis or AIDS.
Steroids can prevent a person from reaching their natural height and trigger the growth of breasts in males. In females, steroids can cause a deeper voice and facial hair growth caused by the masculinizing effect of testosterone-like hormones.
However, injectable biologic treatments called monoclonal antibodies are now being developed and have shown to reduce asthma attacks and hospital visits and are suitable for some people with severe asthma.
Franklin blazebioscience. Free weekly e-mail on Medical Breakthroughs from Ivanhoe. If you have never had these illnesses they could make you very ill. Tell your doctor straight away if you come into contact with someone who has an infectious disease such as measles, chickenpox or shingles. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to protect you. Taking prednisolone lowers your immune system. If you have a "live" vaccine, like the Zostavax shingles vaccine , while you are taking prednisolone your immune system might not be able to cope with it.
This may lead to an infection. Non-live vaccines, like the coronavirus COVID vaccine , the injected flu vaccine or the Shingrix shingles vaccine, are safe to have while you're taking prednisolone.
Prednisolone will not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception. Prednisolone does not make you sleepy and so it's usually safe to drive or ride a bike while taking this medicine. However, do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if your eyesight is affected. It's thought that real liquorice increases the amount of prednisolone in the body and also increases the risk of low potassium.
Page last reviewed: 24 February Next review due: 24 February Common questions about prednisolone tablets and liquid. How does prednisolone work?
But now another kind of steroid, corticosteroids, used for organ transplant acceptance and autoimmune conditions, may be getting dangerously overprescribed. Bronchitis, sore throat, congestion, the common cold. These common respiratory issues usually resolve on their own. But doctors can also prescribe a steroid shot.
When patients go to the doctor, they expect something to happen and it turns out that doctors are reimbursed by insurance if they prescribe a steroid shot. Steroid shots offer instant gratification and a huge energy boost, alleviating symptoms temporarily but some medical experts say they lack evidence of true benefit for respiratory patients. Now, some doctors are concerned that these corticosteroids are being over prescribed to patients who have no indicated need for steroids.
In an analysis of 10 million outpatients, 1. The American Addiction Center says corticosteroids are not an addictive substance, but they can cause symptoms of withdrawal when stopped abruptly.
These hormones help respond to stress in the body from injury or illness and reduce immune system activity which helps ease inflammation. They are used for immune-related diseases and also joint and muscle conditions. The doctor may use an ultrasound to locate exactly where to give you the injection. Steroids can also be given through the veins intravenously.
This method is usually used for autoimmune flares. Studies show that the abuse of steroids can increase aggressive behavior, cause mood swings, and impair judgment. Other effects may include male-pattern baldness, acne, and liver damage.
Risks that can increase with the use of steroids are heart disease, growth of certain cancers, and may worsen other medical problems.
Steroids taken orally have been linked to liver disease, and steroids taken by injection can increase the risk of hepatitis or AIDS. Steroids can prevent a person from reaching their natural height and trigger the growth of breasts in males. In females, steroids can cause a deeper voice and facial hair growth caused by the masculinizing effect of testosterone-like hormones.
However, injectable biologic treatments called monoclonal antibodies are now being developed and have shown to reduce asthma attacks and hospital visits and are suitable for some people with severe asthma. Franklin blazebioscience.
Free weekly e-mail on Medical Breakthroughs from Ivanhoe. Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube. Log In Cart. Home Family Health.
Prednisone suppresses the immune system and adrenal function, so doctors say that if you stop cold turkey, the adrenal glands may not. Steroids (corticosteroids) have been shown to help relieve symptoms in other types of upper respiratory tract infections by reducing the. The analysis found that prescriptions for steroids like prednisone to treat acute respiratory ailments nearly doubled from to Some doctors may also prescribe steroids such as prednisone to stem symptoms like the cough that can occur due to inflammation from the flu. Corticosteroids are the man-made version of cortisol, a hormone that's naturally made by the adrenal glands. These hormones help respond to. Log In Cart. Clinical trials in the U. Neither do we. These drugs can reduce flu symptoms somewhat and may shorten the course of the flu. And what should you do if you can't find an antiviral like Tamiflu, or a place to get a flu shot? Secondary infections such as strep throat may be treated with antibiotics, too, says pharmacist Heather Free. Show comments commenting powered by Facebook.We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Certain of these "alternative" flu therapies, such as dietary supplements , are even being recommended by some pharmacists, according to news accounts.
More people are also donning surgical or respiratory masks to keep flu germs at bay. And some are getting prescriptions for steroids and antibiotics if they do come down with the virus. Do any of these strategies actually work? And what should you do if you can't find an antiviral like Tamiflu, or a place to get a flu shot?
Newspapers and TV stations around the U. These drugs can reduce flu symptoms somewhat and may shorten the course of the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , there have been spot shortages of the vaccine and the antivirals, particularly of generic oseltamivir in capsule and powder form which is mixed with water for those who have trouble swallowing capsules. Confirm by phone before you go and be aware, says the CDC, that you may not have a choice about which flu shot you get.
If you have just come down with the flu and your doctor thinks you're a candidate for an antiviral —most otherwise healthy people generally are not—it may take a bit of detective work to find it, says Michael Hochman, M. At his center, the nurses keep up with which pharmacies have antivirals in stock, so ask whether your doctor's office has similar information.
Or check pharmacy websites—some are noting availability of antivirals—or call local drugstores. Good to know: If you need powder oseltamivir and it's out of stock, pharmacists now have permission from the CDC to compound it from capsules.
If cost is a concern, know that many health insurers are currently covering Tamiflu as a generic or at the lowest cost "tier" for brand-name drugs. Lipman, M. In the case of one vitamin—vitamin D—some research does suggest that supplements may modestly reduce the risk of upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu. But those results were mainly seen in people who were very deficient in the vitamin. And, notes Heather Free, Pharm D. Homeopathic products , which are classified by the FDA as medications and may sit on drugstore shelves next to over-the-counter drugs, are a different matter.
In homeopathy, a presumed active ingredient—in Oscillococcinum, it's an extract of wild duck heart and liver—is diluted to the point where it's virtually undetectable. According to Lipman, there's no good evidence that homeopathy works. Consumer Reports reached out to Boiron, the manufacturers of Oscillococcinum. In an emailed statement, a Boiron representative wrote, "Oscillococcinum has remarkable customer satisfaction and a money-back guarantee.
The statement also said: "Oscillococcinum has been shown in two placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms. What should you do if you've got the flu? Unless you're a candidate for an antiviral, our experts recommend strategies such as rest, getting plenty of fluids, and the use of OTC pain relievers as directed by your doctor. You can also follow the Consumer Reports' day-by-day guide to treating colds and flu.
While most studies on masks have been done in healthcare settings, some suggest they may help stave off flu in other situations, too. It may also help prevent you from passing the virus from your hands to your mouth or nose.
And wear one if you're sick and are going to be around other people, or are caring for someone with the flu. Last, consider a mask if you're going to a doctor's office, or if you're traveling on an airplane, especially if people around you seem sick.
Two types of masks are currently available: surgical masks available at drugstores and online , designed to block large particles that may carry viruses, and N respirators available at some hardware, medical supply, and office supply stores and online , which block even smaller particles. Both appear to work equally well, according to a study in JAMA.
Just make sure you get a tight fit around your mouth and nose. For more advice on masks and the flu, see what the CDC says. But these only work for bacterial infections—not viral infections like the flu. And using the medications unnecessarily can contribute to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial infections that are hard or impossible to cure, Lipman says.
The flu can sometimes, however, lead to complications that may be appropriate to treat with antibiotics, such as bacterial pneumonia. Secondary infections such as strep throat may be treated with antibiotics, too, says pharmacist Heather Free.
Some doctors may also prescribe steroids such as prednisone to stem symptoms like the cough that can occur due to inflammation from the flu virus.
But this is potentially dangerous, because steroids suppress your immune system—making it harder to fight infection, says William Schaffner, M. Generally, steroids should be considered for the flu only for people who are admitted to the hospital with severe wheezing due to an underlying problem such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, Lipman adds.
So unless you have a bacterial infection or lung problems, avoid antibiotics and steroids for the flu. Instead, follow these treatment steps if you do get sick. Hallie Levine is an award-winning magazine and freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on health and fitness topics. She's a mom to three kids and a fat but feisty black Labrador r etriever named Ivry.
In her nonexistent spare time, she likes to read, swim, and run marathons. Do you need Tamiflu? Do antibiotics, steroids, and supplements work? What you must know now. By Hallie Levine. February 14, Sharing is Nice Yes, send me a copy of this email. Send We respect your privacy. Oops, we messed up. Try again later. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Learn more. More on the Flu. When to Worry About a Fever. More From Consumer Reports.
Hallie Levine Hallie Levine is an award-winning magazine and freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on health and fitness topics. Show comments commenting powered by Facebook.
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