From the Research
The recommended prednisone taper dosing regimen for the treatment of full-body urticaria starts with a dose of no more than 10 mg/day, with a weekly reduction of 1 mg, as suggested by the most recent and highest quality study 1. When treating full-body urticaria with prednisone, it is essential to consider the potential side effects and the importance of tapering the dose to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
- The treatment should start with a low dose, such as 10 mg/day, and be gradually reduced by 1 mg every week, as recommended by 1.
- It is crucial to monitor patients for side effects, including increased blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, mood changes, and insomnia, while using prednisone.
- Antihistamines, such as cetirizine or diphenhydramine, should be continued during the prednisone treatment to manage breakthrough itching, as suggested by 2 and 3.
- The use of prednisone should be limited to short periods, and other treatments, such as omalizumab or cyclosporine, should be considered for long-term management, as recommended by 4 and 5.
- A gradual taper is necessary to avoid adrenal insufficiency, which can occur after prolonged use of prednisone, as noted by 1.