Is prednisone safe for allergy?
Patient: I was given prednisone for my allergies - 40 mg per day for five days. When I have used prednisone in the past, I usually was given lower doses and had to taper off. I am a bit concerned because of the high dose level and sudden stop at the end of five days. Thanks you... Doctor: Hi. Oral prednisone is very useful in allergies as it ceases the inflammatory response to the allergen almost instantaneously.It is necessary to taper steroids only if they have been taken for more than 14 days since that is the duration required by the body to start getting dependent on an external source of steroid (Hypothalamic pituitary axis). A 5 day course of steroid can be stopped abruptly without any foreseeable complications. Do keep in mind that high doses of prednisone may affect your vision so do see your physician who started you on these if you develop blurring of vision or changes in colour. High steroid doses may also make you vulnerable to infections so try to avoid anything that exposes you to a source of infection.A 5 day course of steroids is usually nothing to be concerned about. Follow up with your physician for the remaining management of your allergies.Do let me know if you have any other questions.