• Effectiveness

  Major (for systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (weight gain)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: As needed

Advice & Tips: I take Prednisone when I flare and taper off of it over 12 days.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: weight gain

• Effectiveness

  Slight (for pain)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 7.5 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (hiccups (hiccoughs))
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 20 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: it gave me a stronger sense, or made me feel uplifted for the days I took this drug.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: hiccups (hiccoughs)

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 20 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: hiccups (hiccoughs)

• Effectiveness

  Major (for transplant rejection prevention)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (steroid-induced diabetes mellitus, chronic pain, pain in all my joints, especially in the shoulders, carpos, hips, MTCF, knees, fingers, and column, joint pain (hips, shoulders, knees), joint pain in hands)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 5 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: You have to take it.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: pain in all my joints, especially in the shoulders, carpos, hips, MTCF, knees, fingers, and column, joint pain (hips, shoulders, knees), joint pain in hands, chronic pain

• Effectiveness

  Major (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for transplant rejection prevention)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (night sweats, joint pain)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 5 mg/5 mL Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: joint pain, night sweats

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for transplant rejection prevention)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (night sweats, joint pain)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 15 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: The only positive about this medication is the fact that it controls and prevents rejection. Other than that, it's a huge pain in my behind. Muscles ache, it keeps my weight at the same level matter how much I don't eat, and the night sweats are VERY inconvenient. However, it is helping to keep me alive. So I guess I shouldn't complain.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: joint pain, night sweats

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for relapse MS (exacerbation))
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 60 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for transplant rejection prevention)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (skin sensitivity)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 5 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: yes, acne and weight gain are a problem but not as much so as skin and bone issues. see a dermatologist and have bone density tests regularly and wear sunscreen always.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: skin sensitivity

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for transplant rejection prevention)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (skin sensitivity)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 5 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Some worry about the hair growth, weight gain, etc. I needed to gain a few pounds around the time of my transplant but since I got a kidney from my brother I was not on prednisone right away. It wasn't until 4 1/2 years later, when they thought I was having a rejection (I was not) that they put me on it. The dose was quite high at first and I did put on about 30 pounds but for many years now I have been on 5mg per day and have lost most of the weight I gained. Certainly weight gain is a side effect of prednisone along with hair growth, night sweats (never had that one), nightmares (had a few of those) but they are nothing compared to the bone loss from long term use. I have been on pred for over 15 years and have been experiencing a decrease in bone density. I was on actonel for a couple years but it really upset my stomach and since it seemed my bone loss has not gotten worse for the past couple years, I have discontinued the actonel. I will be hitting menopause any year so I'm sure I will be doing something to keep those bones strong. fortunately there are new treatments available and I am hoping for an easier time with it. Another possible side effect is high blood pressure. I have been fortunate not to have this one either but patients do need to keep tabs of it especially on prednisone.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: skin sensitivity

• Effectiveness

  Major (for kidney transplant)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (hunger)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Every other day

Advice & Tips: It's not as bad as everyone says! It is easy to gain weight on it, but watching calories helps a lot- you realize you're eating more than you used to and can stop it! Didn't get a huge "moonface" this time around. In fact, it's helped with arthritis.

Side effects: hunger

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for relapse MS (exacerbation))
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Never taken as prescribed
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take