Prednisone & Lung Disease

There are several treatments for lung conditions and diseases, and prednisone is one of the main medications that doctors recommend. Prednisone is an effective treatment for respiratory diseases, but has some side effects that patients should be aware of.

What is Prednisone?

• Prednisone is a medication that is taken orally, usually in pill form; the medicine is used to treat pneumonia and asthma, because it reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract. Prednisone is also used to treat arthritis, psoriasis and lupus in some cases, and some doctors use the medication to treat allergic reactions in patients.

Who Shouldn’t Take Prednisone?

• Individuals with fungal infections should not take prednisone. Patients, especially young children, should be tested for medication allergies before taking prednisone.

Other Health Concerns

• Patients who have additional health conditions such as high blood pressure must use caution when taking prednisone. Individuals with liver and kidney disease shouldn't take prednisone until these conditions have subsided, since the medication can cause upset stomach and frequent urination--these are symptoms of kidney and liver conditions in general, and may be intensified with prednisone.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women who have lung disease may or may not be able to take prednisone; dosage recommendations should be given by a doctor. When tested on pregnant animals, prednisone caused miscarriages, as well as health problems for the mother after birth--trace amounts of prednisone can also be found in breast milk, and can harm the baby's digestive tract.

Side Effects

• Many patients do not suffer from serious side effects as a result of taking prednisone, but ailments that have been reported include nausea, increased appetite, and bloating.