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Can it be taken for a few days for occasional bouts of inflammation?Or must it be taken for a long period of time .....I think that I read on here that it can be taken for less than five days and then it doesnt have to be tapered...Any suggestions???
When i was having a particular long run with extra SOB but no other reasons for it, i took 5mg every day as maintenance.....It did help enormously and was able to drop them with no issues after 2 months....
But thats me....I rather be comfortable than worry about what MIGHT happen down the line....I mean how long down the line are we talking about???
Hugs
In these days of expensive health care, I am not opposed to doing a little self-medicating. I will say, though, that if you're self-treating with prednisone too often, you should get in to see your doctor. They may want to put you on a maintenance/regular dose. And prednisone is one of the few drugs that they give COPD patients that is actually affordable; I believe it's on Walmart's $4 list, so if put on it regularly, it's easily available and cheaper than getting it from overseas.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/822400_1
In case it's a subscription only site (can't remember anymore), this is a summary of the study findings, basically that five days is as good as fourteen. They don't mention a taper, so my presumption is that neither 5 or 14 days was tapered.
"The clinical implications of this study are clear, less is more for steroid use in COPD exacerbation, and a 5-day course of 40 mg of prednisone (or equivalent) is adequate in most patients. What this study does not inform us is whether all patients with COPD exacerbation need systemic corticosteroids. There is emerging evidence that systemic steroids may be detrimental in exacerbations likely related to bacterial infection.[3, 4] In hospitalised patients, universal antibiotic and systemic steroid use is justified in view of the current data, severity of the illness and the cost of prolonged hospitalisation. However, in non-hospitalised patients, the universal use of antibiotics and corticosteroids needs to be reconsidered.[5] The development of both biomarkers that identify the need for these interventions in exacerbations and of anti-inflammatory agents more specific than systemic steroids for exacerbations, would be extremely useful."
This article from 2013 essentially states the same thing, although this one states that it feels the five day dose is preferable because of essentially the same results but less prednisone.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/805184?src=nl_topic&uac=45994FJ
"However, use of corticosteroids during acute exacerbations of COPD remains very important. Moreover, they should be given as oral or parenteral therapy in moderate dosage for a short period, and the current study indicates that a 5-day course suffices."
I don't know if that really answers your question, but because of the way these articles usually denote taper/no taper, the logical presumption is that the five day course does not require a taper.
BJ
I also tell my doctor when I have done this....
depression that follows. It does pass, however.