Prednisone Prescribed For Sinus Infection

Scary Prednisone Side Effects That Have Been Reported To Us:

A.C. shared this story:

Years ago I was given prednisone in the emergency room for a severe anaphylactic reaction that affected my ability to breathe and caused massive hives. Although the treatment may have been necessary, I too had a severe psychotic reaction and when I finally went to my own doctor and had blood tests, my blood chemistry was all over the map. I had to continue the tapered dose till I was done but I wish someone had warned me of possible side effects so at least I wouldnt think I was totally crazy.

I questioned my ability to drive, slept constantly and was quite volatile. I had to take a day off from work. Knowledge is power! People should be warned about possible side effects so they have the information should prednisone side effects occur.

When people are unprepared for the psychological side effects of prednisone, they can be caught off guard. So can family, friends and co-workers. In A.C.s case, the prednisone was was essential for survival. That said, A.C. should have been alerted to possible side effects.

Ely describes what happened after a moderate dose of prednisone:

Bob describes what its like to be sleepless on steroids:

My wife had sleepless nights when on prednisone and the doctor said that she might do some odd things that she normally wouldnt do. He was right. One night she got up and tore down the wall paper in our bathroom 🙂 We still get a laugh over this one.

Adverse Effects Of Systemic Gcs

Although GCS play a key role in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders, including chronic upper airway disease, a quite extensive range of potential AEs is well-described in literature and the chance to develop these effects seems to increase with higher dose and longer duration of treatment .

However, few studies have actually addressed the risk of common GCS-induced AE in upper airway disease. Also, most of the studies available on GCS focus on high dose or long-term usage for at least 6 months or even 1 year consecutively, which is mostly less relevant in the upper airway disease patient group.

In the following section, we aimed at summarizing the data of potential short- as well as long-term AEs of systemic GCS treatments for rhinitis and/or rhinosinusitis in the adult population. Due to the heterogeneity in studies, treatment regimens and patient populations, we classified the side-effects according to the organ-system involved, but no further subdivision was made. When no studies were available for upper airway disease patients, a mention of studies investigating AEs in similar patients was made. Studies investigating side-effects in children will be discussed separately in the next chapter.

Steroids And Antibiotics Prescribed Together: The New Trend

• Dr. keith Roach

• Save

Dear Dr. Roach In late spring of 2016, I had a sinus infection and was prescribed both an antibiotic and prednisone. I was told that the steroid would increase the effectiveness of the antibiotic. After reading the patient insert for prednisone, I elected to take only the antibiotic, with excellent results.

Since that time, three of my friends also were prescribed antibiotics by three different doctors for various conditions all were also prescribed prednisone to take with it. Two of them did take the prednisone, resulting in really unpleasant side effects.

This week I went to another doctor, was diagnosed with acute nasopharyngitis and was told to take an antibiotic and prednisone. When I said I didnt want to take the prednisone, the doctor informed me that he NEVER prescribes antibiotics without prednisone.

I was prescribed clindamycin and methylprednisolone. I again elected not to take the steroid.

• Dr. Roach: No need to put off COVID booster because of physical therapy

Can you tell me if this dual prescribing is a widespread medical trend or just a local one? Is there really a good reason for prescribing antibiotics and prednisone together, and am I being foolish not to follow doctors orders? E.D.

This is particularly the case in people at high risk for side effects, such as diabetics or those with high blood pressure .

Recommended Reading: Antibiotics For Ingrown Hair Infection

Prednisone For Sinus Infection

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

How Sinus Infection Is Treated

• Why Do Sinus Infections Happen?

The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. You might feel better with treatment for your symptoms as your sinus infection resolves.

Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis, Getting treatment for allergies that might be contributing to an acute or chronic sinus infection can help, and endoscopic surgery may be needed in some cases of chronic sinusitis.

Treatment of chronic sinusitis may complicated, as abnormal tissue blocking the sinus cavities could require surgery.

Verywell / Tim Liedtke

Also Check: Dr On Demand Tooth Infection

What Are Common Side Effects Of Sinus Infection Medications

The most common side effects of sinus infection medications differ by the type of medication you use. Decongestants tend to cause nervousness, insomnia, and a loss of appetite. Side effects of antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Antihistamines and steroids can cause dizziness and sleep disturbances.

This is not an exhaustive list of sinus infection medication side effects. If you experience any adverse reactions from a medication or treatment, its always best to consult with your healthcare provider.

How Quickly Does Prednisone Work For Sinusitis

This is very often the first question that pops into your mind when sinus infection is troubling you.

In the era of Dr. Google, with self-diagnosis running wild its easy, as a doctor, to hear this question before even starting an exam.

Prednisone, in addition to antibiotics, can lead to resolution or improvement in symptoms at three to seven days.

Nonetheless the real question is: Do you really need steroids ?

Lets start from the beginning.

Also Check: How Do Wisdom Teeth Get Infected

How To Cope With Side Effects

What to do about:

• weight gain – try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes so you don’t gain too much weight. Regular exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.
• indigestion – take prednisolone with food to reduce the chances of stomach problems. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you’re taking this medicine. If symptoms carry on, ask your doctor if you may benefit from taking an additional medicine to protect your stomach.
• sleep problems – take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime
• restlessness – if you’re restless when you’re trying to sleep, take prednisolone in the morning so the levels are the lowest at bedtime
• sweating a lot – try wearing loose clothing, use a strong anti-perspirant and keep cool with a fan. If this doesn’t help, talk to your doctor as you may be able to try a different medicine.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances And Peptic Ulceration

In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study by Kirtsreesakul et al. 112 patients with CRSwNP used either 50 mg prednisone or placebo for 14 days and reported significantly more gastrointestinal disturbances and dyspepsia in the prednisolone treated group. In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial by Venekamp et al. 174 adult patients clinically diagnosed with ARS received either 30 mg/day prednisolone or placebo for 7 days. The incidence of gastrointestinal complaints did not differ between treatment groups.

In a large nested casecontrol analysis based on the UK General Practice Research Database, 2105 cases of upper gastro-intestinal complications were compared to 11,500 controls and then evaluated for exposure to certain drugs e.g. corticosteroid use. The adjusted OR for current use of oral GCS was 1.8 for upper gastrointestinal complications overall . No statistically significant difference could be objectified for lower versus higher dosage of GCS. To our knowledge no studies in upper airway disease patients report on systemic steroid treatment and peptic ulceration.

You May Like: Can Acyclovir Treat Yeast Infections

Prednisone For Sinus Infection: Does It Work

A sinus infection, commonly known as sinusitis, is when your sinuses get infected, causing them to become swollen or inflamed. These are mainly due to bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, as in the common cold. Sinuses are the hollow parts or cavities within your skull, which are found behind the nose, forehead, and cheeks. These cavities are lined with a protective layer of mucus, meant to fight against external irritants like dust.

When your sinuses get inflamed, this can cause an excessive amount of mucus to build-up within your cavities. In turn, this causes pain and discomfort, making your head feel extremely stuffy and heavy. Sinusitis is quite a common condition in the US, with about 30 million people being diagnosed with it each year. Prednisone is a prescription steroid intended to reduce inflammation within the body. As sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, does prednisone work in treating it? Lets find out.

Can Prednisone Worsen Other Health Conditions

People taking prednisone can also experience higher blood sugar, which is a special concern for those with diabetes. Because prednisone suppresses the bodys immune system, it can also increase the risk of infection. Therefore, some precautions need to be taken.

Before taking prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider about the following:

• If you have a history of allergies to prednisone or other steroid drugs
• Other medications you are currently taking
• If you have diabetes
• Whether you have high blood pressure
• If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant

Don’t Miss: Do I Have A Uti Or Kidney Infection

You Didn’t Come To Italy To Get Sick

There is nothing more romantic than a candle-light dinner in Rome that cute smile, that contagious laugh, that yellow mucus running from his nose

Gross uh?

No need to lie, we have all been there, wondering whether to tell our partner or pretend everything is all right.

Catching a cold is inevitable, especially during the winter months, and even packing your suitcase with all kinds of medications cant fully prevent you from getting sick on vacation.

But are you sure youve got a cold, and not something else? You dont need a doctor to save you from a simple cold but be aware that if symptoms are persistent, your runny nose could be a sign of different illnesses.

Among these, a common condition is sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, often caused by the same germs responsible for your cold.

Local Adverse Effects Of Steroid

We found one case report on gluteal subcutaneous atrophy that was seen after a depot steroid injection of triamcinolone for AR . A study of Laursen et al. investigated specifically the reporting of all AEs related to GCS injections for AR to the Danish Register for the Side-Effects of Drugs and evaluated the reported events consecutively for a 10-year period. The study demonstrated that one out of 11,785 injections came with any local AE. Most AEs were reversible and primarily skin related, such as skin atrophy.

Also Check: Natural Tooth Pain Relief Infection

Risks Of Systemic Steroids

Steroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs available, and are derivatives of natural hormones which the body creates to help the body cope with injury or stress. However, prolonged use of oral or systemic steroids can result in suppression of normal steroid levels in the body. Therefore, these medications should be taken exactly as prescribed, usually in a gradually decreasing dose, to avoid sudden withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are uncommon in patients who have used steroids for less than two weeks at a time. Continued or repeated use of steroids can reduce your ability to fight infection and can result in weight gain, fluid retention, acne, increased body hair, purple marks on the abdomen, collection of fatty deposits under the skin, and easy bruising. High doses of steroids will frequently cause nervousness, sleeplessness, excitation, and sometimes depression or confusion. Steroids can also cause elevation of blood sugar or blood pressure or change in salt balance. Prolonged steroids can cause thinning of the bones, muscle weakness, glaucoma, and cataracts. They can aggravate ulcers. Patients who are pregnant, have a history of stomach ulcers, glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, or recent vaccination, should not take steroids unless absolutely necessary. A very rare complication of steroids is interruption of the blood supply to the hip bone which can result in a fracture that requires a hip replacement.

When To Contact A Doctor:

• If there is persistent yellow-green, bloody, gray or foul smelling mucus.
• If there is swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek.
• If there is blurred vision.
• Coughing episodes that last longer than 10 days.
• Nasal congestion that lasts longer than 2 weeks and significantly interferes with your life.
• If there has been recent trauma to the nose causing a change in appearance.

Read Also: Will Bladder Infection Go Away On Its Own

Related Resources For Sinus Infections

* Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.

Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

Mechanisms And Actions Of Gcs

Corticosteroids, which are produced by the adrenal glands, can be classified as glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Cortisol is the endogenous glucocorticoid in humans, naturally derived from cholesterol metabolism upon stimulation by the hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal axis , which is regulated initially by the circadian rhythm, but also by negative feedback by glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid increment induced by stressors such as pain, inflammation or infections .

Fig. 1

The hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal axis. Stress stimuli induce the production of CRH by the hypothalamus. CRH induces the production of ACTH by the pituitary gland which stimulates the production of glucocorticoids in the adrenal gland cortex. Cortisol acts on many cells, tissues, and organs including the immune system. The excessive release of cortisol as well as proinflammatory cytokines have a negative feedback on the central nervous system by inhibiting this circadian cycle. CRH corticotrophin releasing hormone, ACTH adrenocorticotrophin hormone

Don’t Miss: Best Medication For Kidney Infection

Missed Or Overdose Of Prednisone

If someone experiences a Prednisone overdose and starts experiencing severe symptoms from the drug, such as trouble breathing or passing out, then you should call your doctor immediately and seek emergency help. This medicine can result in serious consequences and should not be shared with others, even if they show similar symptoms to you.

If you have been prescribed this medication for an extended period of time, then your doctor will recommend getting medical tests on a regular basis, including: blood mineral levels, a complete blood count, a bone density test, eye examination, blood pressure readings, weight/height measurements, blood glucose levels etc. These tests will monitor your: response to the drug, keep track of your progress and check for any side effects.

If taken for a long period of time, Prednisone may result in bone problems, especially osteoporosis. Therefore, you will need to make some lifestyle changes while taking this medicine. You will have to: stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, do some weight bearing exercises, and make sure you are receiving enough of vitamin D and calcium. Depending on your condition, your doctor will advise you about some more specific lifestyle changes.

In case you miss your Prednisone dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, you should skip the missed dosage and resume your usual scheduled dose. Never take double dosages in order to compensate.

Just The Tip Of The Corticosteroid Iceberg:

These are just a few of the messages that have been posted to our website. At last count there were over 800 comments in the feedback section of this post. Feel free to add your story or comment below.

We find it astonishing that some prescribers do not warn patients about the possibility of psychological side effects brought on by prednisone and friends. Even a short-course of high-dose steroid can precipitate symptoms. And not telling patients about gradual tapering borders on bad medicine. To protect yourself and your loved ones from such medical mistakes we suggest our latest book, Top Screw-ups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.

Psychological reactions such as insomnia and irritability are common, but they are certainly not the only prednisone side effects. Some of these adverse consequences, such as osteopenia, diabetes or glaucoma, appear only after long-term use of the drug. Others, such as confusion, high blood pressure or a drop in potassium, can occur on a shorter time frame. The most serious prednisone side effects that may happen within a week or two of use are dangerous blood clots , ulcers and infections.

Recommended Reading: Can Hiv Cause Ear Infection

Corticosteroid Therapy For Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps

Three-week course of a broad-spectrum antibiotic Amoxicillin/Clavulanate at a daily dosage of 875mg twice daily

If the subject is allergic to Penicillin and its derivatives or has had an adverse reaction to Amoxicillin/Clavulanate, a three-week course of clarithromycin instead

Antihistamines if an appropriate history of atopy is obtained

Systemic prednisone: Starting dose of 40mg for five days followed by a taper decreasing by 10mg every 5 days

Following completion of the oral corticosteroid: Course of topical mometasone until the end of the study

Antihistamines if an appropriate history of atopy is obtained