Decadron vs. Prelone

• Are Decadron and Prelone the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Decadron?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Prelone?
• What Is Decadron?
• What Is Prelone?
• What Drugs Interact with Decadron?
• What Drugs Interact with Prelone?
• How Should Decadron Be Taken?
• How Should Prelone Be Taken?

Decadron (dexamethasone) and Prelone(prednisolone syrup) are corticosteroids used to treat arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, intestinal disorders, severe allergies, asthma, and certain types of cancer.

Decadron is also used to occasionally treat cerebral edema.

The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be available as a generic.

Side effects of Decadron and Prelone that are similar include nausea, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, acne, trouble sleeping (insomnia), irregular menstrual periods, or increased appetite.

Side effects of Decadron that are different from Preloneinclude vomiting, skin rash, increased hair growth, weight gain, easy bruising, anxiety, or depression.

Side effects of Prelone that are different from Decadron include stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, spinning sensation (vertigo), mood changes, or increased sweating.

Both Decadron and Prelone may interact with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics), cyclosporine, seizure medications, azole antifungals, rifamycins, estrogens and oral contraceptives, antibiotics, or blood thinners.

Decadron may also interact with aminoglutethimide, anticholinesterases, antidiabetics, antitubercular drugs, cholestyramine, dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), digitalis glycosides, ephedrine, barbiturates, skin tests, thalidomide, and live or inactivated vaccines.

Prelone may also interact with aldesleukin, other drugs that weaken the immune system (such as azathioprine, cancer chemotherapy, natalizumab), mifepristone, antiplatelet drugs, or St. John's wort.

Common side effects of Decadron include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• acne,
• skin rash,
• increased hair growth,
• irregular menstrual periods,
• trouble sleeping,
• increased appetite,
• weight gain,
• easy bruising,
• anxiety, or
• depression.

Side effects of Decadron (dexamethasone) listed above may become severe and include:

• GI bleeding,
• increased susceptibility to many types of infections, and
• swelling.

Common side effects of Prelone include:

• nausea,
• stomach pain or upset,
• bloating,
• heartburn,
• increased appetite,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• menstrual period changes,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• mood changes,
• increased sweating, or
• acne.

Prelone may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Prelone including:

• unusual tiredness,
• swelling ankles or feet,
• unusual weight gain,
• vision problems,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• puffy face,
• unusual hair growth,
• muscle weakness or pain,
• thinning skin,
• slow wound healing, or
• bone pain.

Decadron (dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, used to treat arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, intestinal disorders, severe allergies, and asthma. Decadron is also used to treat certain types of cancer and occasionally, cerebral edema. The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be available as a generic.

Prelone (prednisolone syrup) is an adrenocortical steroid used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood problems, immune system disorders, skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, cancer, and severe allergies.

Decadron may interact with aminoglutethimide, potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics), macrolide antibiotics, anticholinesterases, oral anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antitubercular drugs, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), digitalis glycosides, ephedrine, estrogens and oral contraceptives, barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, ketoconazole, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), phenytoin, skin tests, thalidomide, and live or inactivated vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received. Decadron should be used during pregnancy or during breastfeeding only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus or infant. Infants may suffer adrenal suppression if their mothers use this drug during pregnancy. In special instances (for example, leukemia and nephrotic syndrome), Decadron has been used in pediatric patients. Such use should be done in most patients in conjunction with a pediatric specialist.

Prelone may interact with aldesleukin, other drugs that weaken the immune system (such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, cancer chemotherapy, natalizumab), large doses of aspirin and salicylates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mifepristone, amphotericin B, diuretics, antibiotics, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, estrogens, azole antifungals, rifamycins, St. John's wort, or drugs used to treat seizures. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Decadron Tablets are available in 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4 and 6 mg strengths. The initial dosage for Decadron varies from .75 to 9 mg a day depending on the disease being treated. Infants born to mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from corticosteroids, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Use in pediatric patients is recommended to be done in consultation with a pediatric specialist.

The initial dosage of Prelone varies from 5 mg to 60 mg per day depending on the disease being treated.