Suggest Ways To Wean Off Prednisolone In A Person With Asthma

Posted on Mon, 30 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 Answered on

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I would like a second opinion on a reccomended tapering schedule for prednisolone. I have been on 15mg pred x 2 daily for asthma, for 4 weeks and now the asthma condition is resolved. My doctor has suggested a reduction of 10mg/week, does this sound feasible? What likely complications can arrise from tapering?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
A more gradual reduction is feasible.

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. If you have used prednisolone dose > 10 mg for more than 2 weeks, then tapering is required. In your case, i would recommend 5 mg reduction per week rather than 10 mg per week. Pituitary gland is suppressed by Prednisolone and rapid reduction will cause low cortisol levels which is very dangerous. It can cause tiredness, drowsniness, low BP and even death in extreme cases.
regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar