INSTRUCTIONS

The brand name of your corticosteroid is: ______________________________

The dose of the corticosteroid ordered for you is: _______________

Take the corticosteroid __________ time(s) per day.

The best time(s) to take your corticosteroid: ____________________________

You may take your corticosteroid with food or after meals if stomach upset occurs.

Additional instructions:

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

These include changes in appearance (such as acne or increased facial hair); development of a round or moon-shaped face; thin, fragile skin that bruises easily; or movement of body fat to the trunk. You might also experience mood changes, personality changes, irritability, agitation, or depression.

Other possible side effects include increased appetite and weight gain, poor wound healing, headache, glaucoma, irregular menstrual periods, peptic ulcer, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, steroid-induced diabetes, and osteonecrosis (damage to the hip joint that leads to severe arthritis).

PRECAUTIONS

Because corticosteroids cross the placenta, they are used cautiously during pregnancy. The drugs appear in breast milk, so if you are taking large doses, you should not breastfeed.

Avoid exposure to infections. Stay away from crowds and people known to have colds, the flu, or other infections.

Schedule regular vision checkups and report any problems with your vision to your doctor or nurse.

Talk with a registered dietitian to find out how to prevent excess weight gain and minimize certain drug effects on the body.

Do not take this drug with other drugs, including over-the-counter medications, without first checking with your nurse or doctor. Over-the-counter that you can get without a doctor’s prescription.

Tell any nurse, doctor, or dentist who is taking care of you that you are taking corticosteroids for your lupus.

WARNINGS!

Do not take this drug if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Carry medical identification and wear a bracelet to alert medical personnel that you take a corticosteroid.

NEVER MISS A DOSE. Take this drug exactly as ordered.

IF YOU DO MISS A DOSE, call your nurse or doctor immediately to find out when you should take the missed dose.

NEVER STOP THE MEDICATION SUDDENLY. Your adrenal glands, which are located just above your kidneys, normally make corticosteroids in small amounts. These corticosteroids are important for many body functions. When you take corticosteroid medication, your body begins to make much less than usual, or even stops completely. If you suddenly stop taking your medication, you may have a problem because your adrenal glands won’t have had time to make the corticosteroids you need. This problem is called “adrenal insufficiency.”

Signs of adrenal insufficiency include weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If you experience any of these problems, call your nurse or doctor immediately.