DESCRIPTION
id: 26befed4-df6f-4ae3-b41f-61dac72e2d2c
displayName: DESCRIPTION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34089-3
Prednisone tablets contain prednisone which is a glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids
are adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, which are
readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The chemical name for
prednisone is pregna-1,4-diene-3,11,20-trione monohydrate, 17,21-dihydroxy-. The
structural formula is represented below:
Prednisone is a white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. It
is very slightly soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol, chloroform,
dioxane, and methanol.
Each tablet, for oral administration, contains 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg of
prednisone USP (anhydrous). In addition, each tablet contains the following
inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide,
crospovidone, docusate sodium, magnesium stearate and sodium benzoate.
Prednisone Tablets USP 20 mg also contain FD and C Yellow No. 6.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
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displayName: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34090-1
Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs are primarily used for their potent antiinflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.
Glucocorticoids cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, they modify the body’s immune responses to diverse stimuli.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
id: 6b097d5d-417e-477a-abcb-110006bfa252
displayName: INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34067-9
Prednisone tablets are indicated in the following conditions:
Endocrine disorders: primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance); congenital adrenal hyperplasia; hypercalcemia associated with cancer; nonsuppurative thyroiditis.
Rheumatic disorders: as adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy), ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, epicondylitis.
Collagen diseases: during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis), acute rheumatic carditis.
Dermatologic diseases: pemphigus; bullous dermatitis herpetiformis; severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome); exfoliative dermatitis; mycosis fungoides; severe psoriasis; severe seborrheic dermatitis.
Allergic states: control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis; bronchial asthma; contact dermatitis; atopic dermatitis; serum sickness; drug hypersensitivity reactions.
Ophthalmic diseases: severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: allergic corneal marginal ulcers, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, anterior segment inflammation, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, sympathetic ophthalmia, allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, iritis and iridocyclitis.
Respiratory diseases: symptomatic sarcoidosis; Loeffler’s syndrome not manageable by other means; berylliosis; fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy; aspiration pneumonitis.
Hematologic disorders: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults; secondary thrombocytopenia in adults; acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia; erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia); congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia.
Neoplastic diseases: for palliative management of: leukemias and lymphomas in adults, acute leukemia of childhood.
Edematous states: to induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.
Gastrointestinal diseases: to tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis.
Nervous system: acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.
Miscellaneous: tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy; trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
id: dc07fb68-5b5d-4947-b214-a1d05559e3e4
displayName: CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34070-3
Prednisone tablets are contraindicated in systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components.
WARNINGS
id: 153c1c5d-e290-44ec-9789-4660f260761b
displayName: WARNINGS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34071-1
In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated.
Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. Infections with any pathogen including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan or helminthic infections, in any location of the body, may be associated with the use of corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents that affect cellular immunity, humoral immunity, or neutrophil function.1
These infections may be mild, but can be severe and at times fatal. With increasing doses of corticosteroids, the rate of occurrence of infectious complications increases.2 There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
id: 7d2fb51f-d540-4b60-8603-20f8776b44cd
displayName: ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34084-4
Fluid and electrolyte disturbances: sodium retention; fluid retention; congestive heart failure in susceptible patients; potassium loss; hypokalemic alkalosis; hypertension.
Musculoskeletal: muscle weakness; steroid myopathy; loss of muscle mass; osteoporosis; tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon; vertebral compression fractures; aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads; pathologic fracture of long bones.
Gastrointestinal: peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage; pancreatitis; abdominal distention; ulcerative esophagitis; increases in alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase have been observed following corticosteroid treatment. These changes are usually small, not associated with any clinical syndrome and are reversible upon discontinuation.
Dermatologic: impaired wound healing; thin fragile skin; petechiae and ecchymoses; facial erythema; increased sweating; may suppress reactions to skin tests.
Metabolic: negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism.
Neurological: increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually after treatment; convulsions; vertigo; headache.
Endocrine: menstrual irregularities; development of cushingoid state; secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness; suppression of growth in children; decreased carbohydrate tolerance; manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus; increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics.
Ophthalmic: posterior subcapsular cataracts; increased intraocular pressure; glaucoma; exophthalmos.
Additional Reactions: urticaria and other allergic, anaphylactic or hypersensitivity reactions.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
id: eed16351-6726-4c85-b56b-c67e9b902280
displayName: DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34068-7
The initial dosage of prednisone tablets may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity lower doses will generally suffice while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, prednisone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT. After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient’s individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment; in this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of prednisone for a period of time consistent with the patient’s condition. If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly.
HOW SUPPLIED
id: 49004067-b32e-44df-9b86-3767e52abd61
displayName: HOW SUPPLIED SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34069-5
Prednisone Tablets USP 5 mg are scored, round, white tablets imprinted DAN DAN and 5052 supplied in bottles of 100 and 1000.
Prednisone Tablets USP 10 mg are scored, round, white tablets imprinted DAN DAN and 5442 supplied in bottles of 100, 500 and 1000.
Prednisone Tablets USP 20 mg are scored, round, peach tablets imprinted DAN DAN and 5443 supplied in bottles of 100, 500 and 1000.
Dispense in a well-closed container with child-resistant closure.
Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F). [See USP controlled room temperature.]
REFERENCES
id: 7c81ab77-7336-4ecc-adca-14522fba1d18
displayName: REFERENCES SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34093-5
1 Fekety R. Infections associated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. In: Gorbach SL, Bartlett JG, Blacklow NR, eds. Infectious Diseases. Philadelphia: WBSaunders Company 1992: 1050-1.
2 Stuck AE, Minder CE, Frey FJ. Risk of infectious complications in patients taking glucocorticoids. Rev Infect Dis 1989:11(6):954-63.
Manufactured by:
Watson Pharma Private Ltd.
Verna, Goa INDIA
Distributed By:
Watson Pharma, Inc.
Corona, CA 92880 USA
Revised September 2008
173666 0908B
