Orapred ODT (prednisolone) is a corticosteroid. It's taken by mouth to treat health conditions related to an overactive immune system or inflammation in children and adults. Some examples include ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis. Orapred ODT (prednisolone) comes as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that can be dissolved on the tongue or swallowed whole. Some side effects include mood changes, upset stomach, and trouble sleeping. If you need to stop taking this medication after a while, work with your healthcare team to taper down your dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune disorders, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g., contact dermatitis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., Crohn's disease)
Conditions related to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Certain types of infections
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Kidney conditions
Conditions related to organ transplantation
Orapred ODT (prednisolone) is a corticosteroid. These are man-made steroids that are like cortisol, a natural hormone your body makes. These medications work by lowering certain chemicals in your body that normally cause itching, redness, swelling, or pain.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Can dissolve on your tongue without water
Dose can be adjusted based on your response
Works well to treat many different conditions involving the immune system
Long-term use can cause problems with skin, bone, and eye health.
Can raise your risk for infections
Can't suddenly stop; need to taper your dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms
It's best to take Orapred ODT (prednisolone) with food. This helps to avoid stomach irritation.
Only remove Orapred ODT (prednisolone) from the blister package when you're ready to take your dose. Otherwise, taking your tablet out too early might cause it to melt in between your fingers.
When you're removing Orapred ODT (prednisolone) from the blister, carefully peel the packaging back; don't push the tablet through the foil because doing so can cause it to crumble.
To take Orapred ODT (prednisolone), place the tablet on your tongue where it will dissolve in your mouth. You don't need to take it with water. Or, you can swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
Don't cut or crush Orapred ODT (prednisolone) tablets because the tablets crumble easily and this could cause you to take less medication than your prescribed dose.
Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can raise your blood sugar and blood pressure. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it's important that you check your blood sugar and blood pressure often while taking this medication.
Always tell your healthcare professional that you're taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) before getting any vaccines. Since this medication can weaken your immune system, some vaccines might not work as well or be safe for you while you're taking this medication.
Call your healthcare team right away if you have a fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, cough, pain with passing urine, or a wound that won't heal. These could be signs of an infection. Because taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can weaken your immune system, your body might have a harder time fighting off these infections.
Don't stop taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) without speaking with your prescriber. They might need to lower (taper) your dose slowly before completely stopping it to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken the immune system | Using Orapred ODT (prednisolone) for a long time | High doses of Orapred ODT (prednisolone) | Not vaccinated against viral illnesses | Coming into contact with people who have viral illnesses | History of long-term infections | Receiving live vaccines
Taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) for a long time or at high doses can raise your risk of getting an infection. This medication can also hide some signs of infection so it might be hard to recognize if you're sick. Avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles. If you had tuberculosis (TB) in the past, your healthcare professional (HCP) will need to follow up with you while you're taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) to check if the infection has come back. You might need to take antibiotics to prevent or treat TB. Also, talk to your HCP first before getting vaccines while you're taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone). Depending on the vaccine and your treatment plan, they might not work as well or be safe for you during treatment. Let your HCP know if you feel sick while you're taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone).
Risk factors: High blood pressure | History of heart failure | Kidney problems
Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can cause high blood pressure, water buildup in the body, and other changes in the way your kidneys work. These changes can worsen certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems. If you currently have or have had any of these medical conditions, talk to your HCP first before using Orapred ODT (prednisolone) to make sure it's safe for you to take.
Risk factors: Taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) at high doses or for a long period of time | Risks for osteoporosis (e.g., female sex, history of falls, smoking) | Infants and young children
Long-term use of Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can raise your risk of having weakened bones (osteoporosis) and bone fractures. This medication can also slow the growth in infants and children. This is more likely to happen if the medication is used for a long period of time. If your child needs to take Orapred ODT (prednisolone) for a long time, their pediatrician will closely keep track of their growth during treatment. Discuss with a healthcare professional about any concerns you have about Orapred ODT (prednisolone) and possible bone problems.
Risk factors: Taking high doses of corticosteroids | Using Orapred ODT (prednisolone) for a long period of time | Young children | Stress such as trauma, injury, or infection
Your adrenal gland makes certain hormones for your body. Taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) for a long time can cause adrenal suppression. This is when your adrenal glands stop making your own natural hormones as your body gets used to Orapred ODT (prednisolone). This is more likely to happen if you're taking the medication over a long period of time. Lowering the dose or stopping it suddenly can lead to steroid withdrawal because your adrenal glands need some time to start working again. These withdrawal symptoms include tiredness, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. Talk to your HCP or pharmacist before making any sudden changes to how you take Orapred ODT (prednisolone).
Risk factors: Cataracts and/or glaucoma | History of herpes simplex in the eye
Long-term use of Orapred ODT (prednisolone) leads to a higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and certain eye infections. Don't take Orapred ODT (prednisolone) if you have herpes simplex of the eye. Let your provider know if you have blurry vision, eye pain, or any vision changes. If you're taking the medication for a long time, you might need to get regular eye exams.
Risk factors: History of mental health conditions
Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can cause changes in your mood or behavior. Tell your HCP right away if you feel depressed, have mood swings, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there) while taking this medication.
Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or ulcers | History of ulcerative colitis | Taking other medications that can also cause stomach problems | Alcohol use
Taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone) raises the risk of stomach damage, leading to certain problems, like stomach irritation, and more seriously, ulcers and bleeding. Your risk is higher if you have a history of stomach problems or if you're taking other medications that can damage your stomach, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication because it can worsen stomach irritation. Get medical attention right away if you have stomach pain that doesn't go away or you get bloody or dark stools. These can be signs of a serious stomach problem.
Risk factors: Currently pregnant
In some studies of pregnant females who took Orapred ODT (prednisolone) during the first trimester, babies were at a higher risk of getting birth defects like cleft lip. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Orapred ODT (prednisolone), talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits.
Risk factors: Long-term use
Some people who took steroids like Orapred ODT (prednisolone) reported developing a type of cancer called Kaposi sarcoma. In most cases, people took this medication for a long period of time. It isn't clear if Orapred ODT (prednisolone) raises your risk for this type of cancer. Let your prescriber know if you notice any changes on your skin, such as purple, red, or brown spots or bumps.
The typical starting dose of Orapred ODT (prednisolone) can range from 10 mg to 60 mg by mouth per day. Your healthcare team will determine your dose and how many times a day you take it based on different factors, like what medical condition you have and how serious it is. They'll also make adjustments to your dose based on how well this medication is working for you and if you experience any side effects.
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune disorders, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g., contact dermatitis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., Crohn's disease)
Conditions related to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Certain types of infections
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Kidney conditions
Conditions related to organ transplantation
Allergies or allergic reactions
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to blood cells
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
Allergic reactions
Eye inflammation
Lung problems
Conditions related to blood cells
Cancer of blood cells (e.g., leukemia)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
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