unwanted side effects of Prednisolon

[Sofie]

How can Prednisolon make hair grow so fast?
Currently my daily dose is 2 x 12,5 mg.

[CC]

How can Prednisolon make hair grow so fast?
Currently my daily dose is 2 x 12,5 mg.

Hi Sophie

What little information I know about this drug,I learned this morning after some research,have you considered speaking to your doctor about cutting the dose ?

Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses of prednisolone, include
· acne,
· increased hair growth,
· thinning of the skin,
· cataracts,
· glaucoma,
· osteoporosis,
· roundness of the face, and
· changes in behavior.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/prednisolone.html

[Dana Gold]

I'm assuming you mean unwanted body hair (not scalp) hair and here's my thoughts......

Corticosteroids not only function as anti-inflammatories, but also as immunomodulators.(such as cyclosporin) a lot of which can produce excessive hair growth; accelerated terminal (most coarse ones like beard, body etc)) hair growth and perhaps decreased vellous (fine ones including scalp hair growth. The seemingly virilizing effects have omething to do with their metabolites and the feedback mechanism between the hypothalamus/pituitary and adrenal regulatory systems...producing Cushing's Syndrome like manifestations...I couldn't find pharmacological specifics in reference to exogenous corticosteroids ....busy at work. However, I came across drug interactions...and estrogens may cause delayed metabolism/increased plasma levels of some corticosteroids...resulting in increased side effects associated with high drug levels, even though on a moderate dose.

None of the above or below is certain....it would be wise to investigate other drug/food interactions and to go in for a blood (plasma) test for cortisol levels.....all with your doctor. Here are some I copied and pasted from Rx List site

Estrogens, including oral contraceptives: Estrogens may decrease the hepatic metabolism of certain corticosteroids, thereby increasing their effect.

Hepatic Enzyme Inducers, Inhibitors and Substrates: Drugs which induce cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP 3A4) enzyme activity (e.g., barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin) may enhance the metabolism of corticosteroids and require that the dosage of the corticosteroid be increased. Drugs which inhibit CYP 3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin) have the potential to result in increased plasma concentrations of corticosteroids. Dexamethasone is a moderate inducer of CYP 3A4. Co-administration with other drugs that are metabolized by CYP 3A4 (e.g., indinavir, erythromycin) may increase their clearance, resulting in decreased plasma concentration.

Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole


has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60%, leading to increased risk of corticosteroid side effects. In addition, ketoconazole alone can inhibit adrenal corticosteroid synthesis and may cause adrenal insufficiency during corticosteroid withdrawal.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS): Concomitant use of aspirin (or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents) and corticosteroids increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia. The clearance of salicylates may be increased with concurrent use of corticosteroids.


http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/prednistab_cp.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/dexameth_ad.htm

Again, discuss all the above with your physician.

Take care:wavey:

Dana

[Sofie]

Hi Dana
Thank you for your reply. I'm not currently taking salicylates, actually this is the first time in many months, that I don't need any pain medication. :) So at the moment I'm more nervous about getting off prednisolone again.
I have an appointment at the hospital.....in january, the waiting-lists are quite long.

Sofie

[Dana Gold]

I have an appointment at the hospital.....in january
Mein Gott in Himmel, Sofie! Fast zwei Monaten musst Du noch warten!?

Could you not make a separate appointment; one requiring less waiting time?

I hope in addition to the afore-mentioned "unwanted side effects" you are not feeling physically ill. Ibuprofen (Motrin) may be a substitute analgesic if salicylates are a no-no and you are in pain.

Anyway.....take care and good luck.

Dana