Why Prednisone cant be stopped suddenly

[Guest guest]

Why Can't Prednisone Be Discontinued Suddenly?

Prednisone is a synthetic steroid hormone. It cannot be stopped abruptly because the adrenal gland, which makes natural steroid hormones for the body, is suppressed by long term prednisone administration. Since some steroids are necessary for life, abruptly stopping prednisone leaves one without any steroids at all, a condition known as ian crisis. Given time, if the adrenal is stimulated to produce steroids by gradual reduction in the dosage of prednisone, it will eventually begin to wake up and produce natural steroids in most cases. It is thought that if one becomes ill, more steroids are needed since the natural response to stress (like trauma, an operation, an infection, etc) is for the adrenal gland to pour out steroids. Until one's adrenal gland is up to par though, this is not possible. So anyone on steroids or recently weaned off steroids needs to be aware of this. We give all our patients "Medic Alert" bracelets that state they are a transplant patient and have been on steroid supplements. I recommend all transplant patients have one.

Jeff Punch Transplant Surgery University of Michigan jeff.punch@...