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Advise patients not to discontinue the use of Orapred abruptly or without medical supervision, to advise any healthcare provider that they are taking it, and to seek medical advice at once should they develop fever or other signs of infection. Inform patients to take Orapred exactly as prescribed, follow the instructions on the prescription label, and not stop taking Orapred without first checking with their health-care providers, as there may be a need for gradual dose reduction.

Patients should discuss with their physician if they have had recent or ongoing infections or if they have recently received a vaccine.

Warn patients who are on immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles. Advise patients that if they are exposed, to seek medical advice without delay.

There are a number of medicines that can interact with Orapred. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all the medicines they are taking, including over-the counter and prescription medicines (such as phenytoin, diuretics, digitalis or digoxin, rifampin, amphotericin B, cyclosporine, insulin or diabetes medicines, ketoconazole, estrogens including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin or other NSAIDS, barbiturates), dietary supplements, and herbal products. If patients are taking any of these drugs, alternate therapy, dosage adjustment, and/or special test may be needed during the treatment.

For missed doses, inform patients to take the missed dose as soon as they remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the medicine taken at the next regularly scheduled time. Advise patients not to take an extra dose to make up for the missed dose.

Inform patients to take Orapred with food to avoid GI irritation.

Advise patients of common adverse reactions that could occur with Orapred use to include fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain.

Orapred ODT (prednisolone sodium phosphate) tablets are packaged in a blister. Patients should be instructed not to remove the tablet from the blister until just prior to dosing. The blister pack should then be peeled open, and the orally disintegrating tablet placed on the tongue, where the tablets may be swallowed whole as any conventional tablet, or allowed to dissolve in the mouth, with or without the assistance of water. Orally disintegrating tablet dosage forms are friable and are not intended to be cut, split, or broken.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/20/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.