Prednisone dosages for acute asthma exacerbations depend heavily on the severity of the symptoms. Always follow your doctor’s instructions, as they will tailor the treatment to your specific needs.
For mild to moderate exacerbations, a short course of prednisone (usually 5-7 days) may suffice. A typical starting dose is 40-60 mg daily, then tapered down gradually.
- Example tapering schedule (40mg initial dose): 40mg Day 1, 30mg Day 2, 20mg Day 3, 10mg Day 4, 5mg Day 5, then stop. Alternative schedule: Your doctor may prescribe a different schedule, perhaps using a different tapering pace based on your response.
Severe exacerbations often require higher initial doses and a longer treatment duration. This might involve 60 mg or even higher daily doses for several days, followed by careful tapering.
Hospitalization is frequently necessary for severe cases. Dosage adjustments will be made under close medical supervision within the hospital setting. Intravenous corticosteroids may be used initially if oral prednisone administration is impossible.
Children generally require lower doses adjusted for their weight. Your physician will provide specific guidelines based on your child’s age and weight.
Remember that prednisone has side effects. Discuss these with your doctor. Regular monitoring of your asthma symptoms is critical. Contact your doctor immediately if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve after starting prednisone.
