Orapred ODT (prednisolone) is a corticosteroid medicine that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Orapred ODT orally disintegrating tablets are used to treat many different inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, allergic disorders, gland (endocrine) disorders, and conditions that affect the skin, eyes, lungs, stomach, nervous system, or blood cells.

Orapred ODT may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use Orapred ODT if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Before taking Orapred ODT, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all other medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

Your Orapred ODT dose may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you during treatment.

Steroid medication such as Orapred ODT can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Orapred ODT. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

Do not stop using Orapred ODT suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Orapred ODT.

Take Orapred ODT exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Orapred ODT is sometimes taken every other day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Keep the Orapred ODT orally disintegrating tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package using dry hands, and peel back the foil from the tablet blister (do not push the tablet through the foil). Remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.

Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet. The tablet may also be swallowed whole as a conventional tablet.

Your dose needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using prednisolone.

You should not stop using Orapred ODT suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take prednisolone. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take steroid medication.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using prednisolone. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use Orapred ODT if you are allergic to prednisolone, or if you have:

• a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Orapred ODT can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

To make sure Orapred ODT is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• active tuberculosis;

• a thyroid disorder;

• herpes infection of the eyes;

• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;

• depression, mental illness, or psychosis;

• liver disease (especially cirrhosis);

• high blood pressure;

• osteoporosis;

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis; or

• multiple sclerosis.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether Orapred ODT will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether prednisolone passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Orapred ODT.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of prednisolone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Orapred ODT. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Do not receive a smallpox vaccine or you could develop serious complications.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Orapred ODT: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• bruising, thinning skin, or any wound that will not heal;

• severe depression, changes in personality, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• new or unusual pain in an arm or leg or in your back;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

• a seizure (convulsions); or

• low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common Orapred ODT side effects may include:

• fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);

• dizziness, spinning sensation;

• changes in your menstrual periods;

• headache;

• muscle pain or weakness; or

• stomach discomfort, bloating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with prednisolone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.