TREATMENT PLAN &KEY INFORMATION
TREATMENT PLAN
Short courses (<3 weeks): \- Can stop abruptly
Long courses:
- Gradual reduction required
- Rapid reduction to physiological dose (7.5mg/day) – Then gradual reduction – Steroid card required
- Consider PPI for GI protection
Prevention of adverse effects:
- Morning dosing
- Lowest effective dose
- Steroid card for long-term use
- Osteoporosis prevention
- Concomitant PPI
- Vitamin D/calcium supplementation
- Consider bisphosphonates
Additional steroids are needed if the stressor/trauma occurs within 1 week of stopping.
KEY INFORMATION
- Short courses <3 weeks can stop abruptly
- Long courses need a gradual reduction – Monitor for adrenal suppression