Indications & Dose: ACUTE ASTHMA PO Adult 40-60mg/day 3-10 days Child 1-2mg/kg/day 3-10 days, max 60mg/day | DERMATOMYOSITIS PO Adult 1mg/kg/day | IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA PO Adult 1-2mg/kg/day | NEPHROTIC SYNDROME PO Child Initially 2mg/kg/day or 60mg/m2/day in 1-3 divided doses, max 80mg/day 4-6 wks, then 2mg/kg/dose | PCP PNEUMONIA PO Adult 40mg bid 5 days, followed by 40mg od 5 days, then 20mg od 11 days Child 1mg/kg bid 5 days, followed by 0.5-1mg/kg bid 5 days, then 0.5mg/kg od 11-21 days | POLYMYOSITIS PO Adult 1mg/kg/day | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PO Adult 10mg/day

Precautions: HF, DM, history of GI diseases, myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, history of seizures, MI, thromboembolic disorders

ADR: Serious: CHF, HTN, Cushing’s syndrome, DM, osteoporosis, steroid myopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, bone fracture, tendon rupture, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions, Others: bruising, facial erythema, impaired wound healing, urticaria, negative nitrogen balance, sodium retention, potassium loss, diaphoresis, exophthalmos

DDI: Serious Clarithromycin causes acute mania & psychosis, Terbutaline/Salbutamol causes hypokalemia, Etoposide clearance increases, Carbamazepine increases drug clearance, Itraconazole/Hormonal Contraceptives increases drug level, Warfarin increases INR, Chlorambucil leads to seizures, Tacrolimus/Ciclosporin levels reduced by drug, Antacids reduces drug absorption, Rifampicin/Phenytoin reduces drug level, Diltiazem reduces drug metabolism

Diet: With food

Monitor: BP, blood glucose, electrolytes, bone mass density, growth in children, signs & symptoms of infection, cataract formation, IOP