What is the difference between kenalog and prednisone

Both medications reduce inflammation , and people use them to relieve the symptoms of many health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis RA , lupus , and eczema.

Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the body and relieve related symptoms, such as body pain, swelling, and stiffness. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system. They are a standard treatment for autoimmune conditions, which often cause inflammation in the body. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both common medications that are similar in price.

They can come in branded or generic forms. As with most drugs, the generic versions cost less but still comprise the same substances. Methylprednisolone is stronger than prednisone:.

Prednisone is an oral medication that people take in the form of a tablet, liquid, or concentrated solution. People will take between one and four doses a day depending on the medical condition and the effectiveness of the treatment. In many cases, a doctor will inject methylprednisolone into either the muscle or vein. However, for certain conditions, such as RA, they may sometimes inject methylprednisolone directly into a joint to reduce inflammation. Being injectable makes methylprednisolone easier than prednisone to provide in large doses.

Both prednisone and methylprednisolone are very strong medications. Doctors will try to use the lowest possible dosage that is effective, so they may increase or decrease the dosage during treatment. People who stop taking them too quickly may notice side effects, such as:.

As methylprednisolone and prednisone are both very potent, they can cause a range of side effects, including:. The side effects of prednisone can also include losing touch with reality. For this reason, doctors may prescribe methylprednisolone to someone with a risk of mental health conditions instead of prednisone to reduce the risk of psychosis.

Due to these side effects, doctors may avoid prescribing these corticosteroids. They may only recommend them if nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are not effective or if a person has severe inflammation. Corticosteroids can interact with many other medications, including some nutritional supplements and alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies. Before using corticosteroids, a person should tell their doctor about any other medications that they are taking.

Glucocorticoids are designed to act the same way as the hormones natural steroids made by your adrenal glands that sit on top of your kidneys.

They can suppress inflammation and make your immune system less active. They are powerful drugs for fighting a flare of inflammation — and they can work quickly to bring it under control.

Sometimes, none of your other medications reduce your symptoms enough, so you add a low dose of steroids. You should never suddenly stop your steroids if you have been taking them for longer than two weeks, unless you have tapered to a low enough dose as directed by your doctor. You may be understandably worried that a shot in an already swollen, painful joint will really hurt.

Your rheumatologist may also give you a local anesthetic at the site where you get the injection to numb it first.

This may help ease the pain of the injection so you can get the medicine into the joint space to do its work. Joint injections of steroids have few side effects. Your chances of having these side effects depend on your dose, how long you take glucocorticoids, or if you have other medical conditions.

These drugs are also called steroids for short. You may only need to take oral glucocorticoids if you have a severe flare. In low doses and for a short period of time days or weeks , side effects are less likely. Your dose and the time you need to take oral glucocorticoids can vary. The relapse rates were 9.

The absolute difference in relapse rates was 5. There was no difference in symptom frequency or severity between the two groups during the first 5 days of outpatient treatment. Analysis between the groups stratified for smoking showed no difference in relapse rate between smokers and nonsmokers.

Conclusion: A single dose of triamcinolone diacetate, 40 mg i.