How Long Does Prednisone Stay in Your System? A Complete Guide for Patients

Prednisone is a prescribed corticosteroid that is used to treat asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and blood disorders. If you have recently taken this medicine and have concerns about side effects or are soon undergoing a drug test for pre-employment testing or medical reasons, you might be wondering, "How long does prednisone stay in your system?

This blog will help you understand the timeline of prednisone in the body and what factors affect its elimination. Also, we'll discuss its detection window in different drug tests and many more related facts. Let's explore!

How Long Does Prednisone Stay in Your System?

How long does prednisone take to leave your system? The prednisone half-life duration (the time it takes for the medicine to reduce by half) is about 2-3 hours. This means that the body will take nearly this much time to metabolize and excrete the medicine. So, based on the half-life, it typically takes approximately 16-22 hours for it to be eliminated. However, the complete elimination will depend on many factors such as dosage, frequency of use, etc.

Factors Affecting Prednisone Elimination

Though prednisone is quickly eliminated, these factors can affect its clearance from the system:

• Amount of Dose: Higher doses can extend the elimination time as the body takes a long time to metabolize them.

• Frequency of Use: Prolonged use can lead to an extended time to fully process and excrete the drug.

• Body's Metabolism: People with a slower metabolism take much more time to process the drug compared to those with a faster metabolism.

• Liver Function: As the drug is processed by the liver, individuals with liver conditions might take a longer time to eliminate the drug.

• Kidney Function: Since prednisone is excreted by the kidneys via urine, any kidney issues can lead to drug accumulation, extending its elimination time.

• Age: Elderly people have a slow metabolism, so they tend to slowly eliminate the medicine than younger ones.

• Body Fat Composition: People with higher body fat might metabolize the prednisone more slowly as they store the drug for a longer time. 

How Long Does Prednisone Take to Show Its Effects?

Prednisone typically shows its effects quickly within a few hours of the first dose. However, this does not mean you will immediately see the visible effects. Depending on the reason why you are prescribed this medicine, you may notice the results in a couple of days. A delayed-release form of prednisone may take a longer time (about 4 hours) to show the improvements. This makes them the best option to take at night to relieve rheumatoid arthritis-associated stiffness and pain that is extreme in the morning. 

How Long Do the Effects of Prednisone Last?

Though prednisone leaves the body in a day, its effects can last for a longer period, that is, for 11-16.5 hours. Its long-term use can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly discontinue it. So, avoid taking it suddenly as it can lead to an imbalance of steroids that are naturally present in the body. Always seek medical guidance on how to taper off (reduce the dose) the medicine.

Can Prednisone Show Up in Drug Tests?

Yes, it can, but not on standard drug tests, as most testing doesn't have corticosteroid detection. This is the Prednisone detection time in different drug tests:

Drug Test	Detection Time
Urine Drug Test	Up to 24-36 hours after the last dose
Blood Drug Test	Up to 16-22 hours post-last dose
Saliva Drug Test	Up to 12-24 hours due to quick metabolism
Hair Follicles Drug Test	Up to 90 days post-last dose

Note: Age, dosage, metabolism, liver function, frequency of use, and overall health status can affect how long the prednisone remains detectable in drug tests.

Precautions While Taking Prednisone

Before taking prednisone, consider these precautions to ensure effective and safe use:

• Inform your medical history: Discuss your medical conditions like diabetes, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, mental health issues, and allergic reactions to certain medicines with your doctor. This is because the medicine can worsen these conditions.

• Take the medicine as prescribed: Follow the recommended dose by the doctor. Avoid discontinuing the dose suddenly or adjusting its dosage as it can cause withdrawal symptoms or worsen the underlying medical conditions.

• Follow a healthy diet: Maintaining a well-balanced diet and monitoring the calorie intake can help prevent prednisone's side effects like weight gain and appetite. Avoid potassium-rich foods and salt as they cause electrolyte imbalances and fluid retention.

• Monitor your blood sugar levels: This is crucial as research reports that prednisone can increase blood sugar levels, particularly in people with diabetes.

• Avoid alcohol: A combination of alcohol and prednisone can lead to a high risk of gastrointestinal irritation, stomach bleeding, or extreme mood changes.

• Be cautious during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Discuss the benefits and risks of taking prednisone during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive. This medicine might not be safe during breastfeeding or pregnancy.

• Consider close monitoring: Regular monitoring of your response to prednisone treatment and overall health is crucial. The doctors may check for side effects like blood sugar levels, bone density, infection signs, and blood pressure levels.

• Discuss your current medications: Inform the doctors about any current over-the-counter and prescription drugs, as they might interact with prednisone, reducing its effectiveness. Those medications may include:

• Metyrapone
• Mifepristone
• Aspirin
• Barbiturates
• Aminoglutethimide
• Amphotericin B
• Diabetes medications
• NSAIDS like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Digoxin
• Diuretics
• Ephedrine
• Birth control pills
• Warfarin

Side Effects of Prednisone to Watch For

These are the potential side effects to watch for:

Short-Term Side Effects

1. Increased Appetite
2. Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
3. Mood Changes
4. Gastrointestinal Symptoms like nausea, bloating, or indigestion
5. Fluid Retention
6. High Blood Sugar Level
7. Increased Risk of Infection
8. Delayed Wound Healing
9. Muscle Weakness
10. Changes in Skin

Long-Term Side Effects:

1. Osteoporosis (bone loss)
2. Cataracts and Glaucoma
3. Suppression of the adrenal glands
4. Weight Gain
5. High Blood Pressure
6. Diabetes
7. Muscle Wasting
8. Mood & Behavioral Changes
9. Gastrointestinal Issues like ulcers
10. Skin Issues like thinning, bruising, and infections

Note: Seek medical attention if you experience any side effects or report them to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How to Flush Prednisone Out of Your System?

Follow these tips to eliminate the prednisone from your system:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink a lot of water to promote kidney function, which can help excrete the drug effectively.

• Consume a Healthy Diet: Eat fiber-rich foods, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins to improve metabolism.

• Exercise Regularly: Practice physical activities regularly to ease the efficient processing of the drug by the body.

• Support Liver Health: Avoid processed foods and liver to help the liver effectively break down or metabolize prednisone.

• Taper Off Slowly: Do not discontinue the medicine suddenly. Always follow the tapering schedule advised by your doctor to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

• Get Adequate Sleep: Aim to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep, as it helps the body recover and process the prednisone properly.

• Consult Your Doctor: In case you notice any side effects that last longer, see the healthcare providers for personalized advice.

Prednisone Addiction Treatment

If you have become physically dependent on prednisone, consider these treatments:

• Medical Detox: The first step involves cleansing the body of prednisone and its metabolites through close medical care and supervision.

• Behavioral Therapy: Includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage psychological and emotional effects.

• Medication Management: Involves the use of supportive medications to reduce dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings.

• Inpatient and Outpatient Programs: Impatient programs give highly intensive care in healthcare settings like hospitals and clinics while outpatient programs provide care at home which helps you manage your daily responsibilities.

• Support Groups: This program involves encouragement and hope for one another by sharing their experiences and struggles with drug addiction.

Final Thoughts

So, how long does prednisone stay in your system? As we have learned in the article earlier, this medicine typically takes 16-22 hours to be eliminated. However, the complete elimination will depend on several factors like dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, liver or kidney health, and overall health status. Moreover, its detection window can vary in different drug tests. If you are worried about its side effects, see a doctor for a safe lowering of the dose. If you are undergoing a drug test, inform the testers about your prescription medicine and follow the mentioned tips to get rid of it. 

FAQs

How long is prednisone detox?

It takes a few weeks to many months to get detoxed from prednisone. However, the elimination time can vary based on the amount of dose and the frequency of use.

How long can you take prednisone safely?

There is no definite limit, as it depends on the medical condition being treated.

Will 5 days of prednisone cause side effects?

Yes, it can lead to side effects such as side effects such as sleep disruptions, low energy levels, mood changes, fluid retention, and increased appetite.

Is Prednisone detectable on a 12-panel drug test?

No, it doesn't. A 12-panel drug test is designed for detecting drugs such as opioids, amphetamines, and many other abused or recreational drugs.

Can you overdose on prednisone?

Yes, it's possible. Overdosing can lead to complications like high heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure, vision changes, insomnia, stomach issues, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and delusions.