Is Prednisone effective for allergic treatment?

Prednisone for allergies
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ola Tarabzuni

Overview

Prednisone can be prescribed for managing allergic reactions. While not categorized as an anti-allergy medication, Prednisone effectively alleviates symptoms like runny nose and inflammation. Its prescribed applications span various conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The dosage is contingent upon factors like age and the severity of the condition, emphasizing the importance of healthcare provider consultations for personalized prescriptions. Dr. Honekar emphasizes the safety of Prednisone under proper medical guidance, including its suitability for children based on condition severity. 

Can Prednisone treat allergic reactions?

Yes, Prednisone can also be prescribed to manage allergy symptoms. However, it’s not an anti-allergy medication but has efficacy in managing allergy symptoms, including runny nose, inflammation, and other related medical issues,

says Dr.Richard Honekar

The body responds to foreign objects and triggers the immune system. In response, the immune system releases chemicals in the body that fight against the foreign object. This chemical can also lead to a runny nose, eye irritation, sneezing, inflammation, and redness in the different parts of the body.
This is generally termed an allergic response of the body, which shows that the body is allergic to such substances and should be avoided to avoid such reactions. 

To deal with, reduce, and manage these reactions of the body, anti-allergic (antihistamine) medications are prescribed. Other than anti-histamines, corticosteroids like Prednisone can also be prescribed to manage the symptoms of an allergic response. 

Prednisone comes in different brands like “Deltasone” and comes under the class called steroids. It specifically is a corticosteroid. Some of the other commonly prescribed brands of prednisone are Orapred®, Pediapred®, and Prelone®. 

Get a personalized prescription of Prednisone for your medical condition!

What are the conditions and allergic reactions treated with Prednisone?

Prednisone is prescribed to treat several conditions, some of which are as follows

Prednisone works in different ways to treat these allergic reactions and medical conditions. Some of the allergy-causing medical conditions that can be treated by Prednisone include the following : 

  1. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): 

Prednisone works as a corticosteroid and helps reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, relieving symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion caused by seasonal or perennial allergies.
It is often prescribed by healthcare providers as per the severity of your medical condition.

  1. Allergic Skin Reactions: 

Prednisone may be prescribed for allergic skin conditions such as hives (urticaria) or angioedema, helping to alleviate itching, redness, and swelling. Your healthcare provider will decide the dose and dosage frequency for all allergic skin reactions for effective treatment. 

  1. Allergic Asthma: 

Allergic asthma leads to severe symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, and respiratory issues. Prednisone may be used to control inflammation and improve respiratory problems. Other medications in combination with Prednisone can also be prescribed to cater to all the needs of 

Is Prednisolone safe for treating allergic reactions? 

Prednisone may be administered to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to medications.

It is safe only if the dose and dosage regimen are determined after consultation with your healthcare provider.

It’s important to note that allergic asthma and other allergic reactions can also be treated with anti-allergy medications. Antihistamine medications can be of different sorts. Some of them have sedative or drowsiness effects, while others don’t have sedative properties.

The choice of these medications can only be determined by your healthcare provider. 

Prednisone can also be prescribed in children as per the severity of their medical condition. Allergy reactions and allergy-related medical conditions can be effectively treated after a timely consultation with your healthcare provider. 

What is the dosage of Prednisone for allergic reactions?

Dosage and administration details, including frequency or dosage form, depend on the severity, nature of your medical condition, age, and medication history. Consulting a healthcare provider for prednisone’s personalized dose and frequency is essential. 

Dosage for adults:

For allergic reactions, a common initial dose for adults might be 20 to 40 mg of Prednisone per day. This dose could be divided and taken two or more times per day. The duration of treatment and any decreasing dose will be determined based on the severity of the allergic reaction and the individual’s response.

Dosage for children:

Pediatric dosages are weight-dependent and should be determined by a healthcare provider. A common starting dose for children might be 1 to 2 mg/kg daily. The healthcare provider will carefully adjust the dosage based on the child’s weight, age, and the severity of the allergic reaction.

What may interact with this medication?

Some of the medications that can interact with prednisone are as follows : 

  • Aspirin
  • NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
  • Ketoconazole
  • Cyclosporine
  • Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)
  • Insulin and oral diabetes medications
  • Rifampin
  • Anticoagulants (e.g., heparin)
  • Warfarin 

Getting a consultation from your healthcare provider and sharing your medication history is important. It can help avoid drug-related interactions and related side effects. 

Get connected with the healthcare provider for tailored Prednisone prescriptions for your child!

When should I see a doctor?

Prednisone is not an anti-allergy medication but is prescribed for the management of allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms include a runny nose, inflammation, itchy or watery eyes, cough, and congestion. Prednisone helps relieve symptoms by loosening the mucus that eventually treats the symptoms. It is not an over-the-counter medication and can only be given by healthcare providers. Getting a consultation from the healthcare provider for the correct diagnosis and prescription is beneficial. 

FAQs about Prednisone for allergies

How long do you need to take Prednisone for allergies?

The duration of Prednisone treatment for allergies depends on the severity of symptoms and the healthcare provider’s recommendations. It is typically prescribed for a short-term course to address acute allergic reactions.

How quickly does Prednisone provide relief for allergy symptoms?

Prednisone can start relieving allergy symptoms within a few hours to a day, but the speed of effectiveness varies based on individual response and the nature of the allergic reaction. Full relief may take a few days, from 3 to 4 days. 

Can Prednisone be used for long-term allergy management?

Prednisone is generally not recommended for long-term allergy management due to potential side effects. It is usually prescribed for short-term use to address acute allergy symptoms.

Your Doctors Online uses high-quality and trustworthy sources to ensure content accuracy and reliability. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and medical associations to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information to the users.

  • Brown, Earl B., and Thomas Seideman. “Use of prednisone, and prednisolone in treatment of allergic diseases.” Journal of the American Medical Association 163.9 (1957): 713-718.
  • Vatti, Rani R., et al. “Hypersensitivity reactions to corticosteroids.” Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology 47 (2014): 26-37.
  • Dunkel, F. G., P. Elsner, and G. Burg. “Contact allergies to topical corticosteroids: 10 cases of contact dermatitis.” Contact dermatitis 25.2 (1991): 97-103.
  • Bukantz, Samuel C., and Louise Aubuchon. “Principles of Management of Allergic Disorders with Prednisone and Prednisolone: With Emphasis on Clinical and Laboratory Control of Complications.” Journal of the American Medical Association 165.10 (1957): 1256-1264.

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