Steroid taper

[NicPharmacy]

Does anyone have a good reference on how to do a steroid taper. I know I have seen many scripts of steroid taper but where does that regimen come from? I need to taper a patient down on prednisone and don't know where to start.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Does anyone have a good reference on how to do a steroid taper. I know I have seen many scripts of steroid taper but where does that regimen come from? I need to taper a patient down on prednisone and don't know where to start.

There a prednisone dosing packs that you can model after.

 

[Ackj]

Does anyone have a good reference on how to do a steroid taper. I know I have seen many scripts of steroid taper but where does that regimen come from? I need to taper a patient down on prednisone and don't know where to start.

I don't know of a specific regimen, although I know the taper must get slower as you approach physiologic levels, since that is where you must allow the body to resume it's cortisol production that has been suppressed. You can stop "cold turkey" if the patient has been on the therapy < 14 days, but longer than that and you should taper.

I'd like to see data for a specific regimen as well.

 

[Lisochka]

I don't know of a specific regimen, although I know the taper must get slower as you approach physiologic levels, since that is where you must allow the body to resume it's cortisol production that has been suppressed. You can stop "cold turkey" if the patient has been on the therapy < 14 days, but longer than that and you should taper.

I'd like to see data for a specific regimen as well.

if the patient was on steroids for one year, you taper for about 4-8 months, depending on a dose they were on.

 

[rph3664]

What is the dose, and how long have they been on it? Do they need to stay on prednisone, albeit at a lower dose, or is it okay for them to go off it altogether?