From the FDA Drug Label
The initial dosage of PredniSONE tablets may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT
The recommended dose of prednisone for radiculopathy is not explicitly stated in the drug label.
- The dosage range is 5 mg to 60 mg per day, but this is general and not specific to radiculopathy.
- The label emphasizes that dosage requirements are variable and must be individualized based on the disease and patient response 1.
From the Research
Prednisone for radiculopathy is typically prescribed at a dose of 60 mg daily for 5 days, then tapered within the following 5 days, as this regimen has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with cervical radiculopathy 2.
Key Considerations
- The medication should be taken in the morning with food to reduce gastrointestinal irritation and minimize sleep disturbances.
- Patients should be aware of potential side effects including increased blood sugar, mood changes, fluid retention, and increased appetite.
- Prednisone works by reducing inflammation around the compressed nerve root, which helps decrease pain and improve function.
- This anti-inflammatory effect can provide significant relief while the body heals naturally.
Important Notes
- Corticosteroids like prednisone are not intended for long-term use due to serious side effects with prolonged administration.
- Patients with diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, or peptic ulcer disease should use prednisone with caution and under close medical supervision.
- A study published in 2015 found that a short course of oral steroids, compared with placebo, resulted in modestly improved function and no improvement in pain among patients with acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk 3.
- However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is the 2013 study on oral prednisolone in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, which found that a short course of oral steroid therapy with prednisolone is highly effective in reducing pain in patients with uncomplicated cervical radiculopathy 2.