prednisolone tapering needed ?

[jungle]

Hi.. The doctor has prescribed me with prednisolone 20mg daily for 5 days for my allergic skin condition. I was wondering do i need any tapering dose after i finish my prescription ? Or I could just stop abruptly since it is short term medications only ?



Thanks for anyone answering the question.. I am a bit worried about the withdrawal symptoms which seems serious to me..

[johnep]

Actually quite a low dose, is usually 8 x 5mg daily in one dose am for week. Used to taper off but few bother these days with short courses.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Short courses don't usually need tapering.
Dose usually taken all at once in the morning.
Always reassure patients that 6 of these 5mg tablets at once is the right way to take them of a 30mg dose prescribed.

[jungle]

Oh ? All taken at once in the morning ?
But the doctor asked me to take 10mg in the morning and 10mg at night ( or evening )..
Is it ok ?

[johnep]

Apparently can keep you awake at night, take all in the morning after breakfast.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Apparently can keep you awake at night, take all in the morning after breakfast.
johnep

From the BNF...
The suppressive action of a corticosteroid on cortisol secretion is least when it is given as a single dose in the morning.

[jungle]

Ok.. Thanks for the advice... : )

[PHARMAC1ST]

Tapering dose usually required if given over 3 weeks so it is fine to stop taking abruptly.
Generally speaking the dose is usually taken all at once first thing in the morning with or after food. High doses of steroids can keep you awake at night but i would imagine 10mg would be ok. I think the dose given is also ok but higher doses could be prescribed by the doctor in severe cases.

I am assuming that you have been given topical corticosteroid cream/oinment as that is usually first line?

[jungle]

yes.. i am applying it once a day too.. simultaneously with the oral prednisolone dose..