Prednisone
Say it: PRED-nih-sone · Brand names: Rayos
Prednisone is a steroid pill that kills some blood cancer cells and calms swelling and the immune system.
What it is
Prednisone is a man-made version of cortisol, a hormone your body makes. In high doses it causes some lymphoma and leukemia cells to die. It also calms swelling and the immune system, which helps with some side effects of cancer treatment.
Often used for
- lymphomas, as part of combinations such as R-CHOP
- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- multiple myeloma
- prostate cancer, together with other medicines
- treating immune side effects from immunotherapy
- graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant
How you get it
Prednisone is a pill you take by mouth. In lymphoma treatment it is often taken for 5 days in each 3-week cycle. For other uses it may be taken every day for weeks, then slowly lowered. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- High blood sugar. Your team may check your sugar, especially if you have diabetes.
- Trouble sleeping. Take it in the morning if your team agrees.
- Mood changes, such as feeling restless, irritable, or very upbeat. Tell your team if they are hard to handle.
- Upset stomach or heartburn. Take it with food.
- More hunger and weight gain. Choose healthy snacks and limit salty foods.
- Swelling from holding fluid, and higher blood pressure.
- Muscle weakness with long-term use. Gentle exercise can help.
Call your care team right away if you have
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills
- Very high thirst, urinating a lot, or blood sugar higher than your team told you to expect
- Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or bad stomach pain
- Big mood changes, confusion, or thoughts of hurting yourself
- Blurry vision or eye pain
- Feeling very weak, dizzy, sick to your stomach, or faint, especially if you missed doses or are sick
Before you start, tell your team
- If you have diabetes or high blood pressure
- If you have stomach ulcers, heart problems, glaucoma, or thin bones
- If you have ever had depression or other mental health problems
- If you have an infection, including tuberculosis or hepatitis B
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take
Good to know
- Prednisone lowers your ability to fight infections. Your team may give medicines to prevent certain infections.
- Do not stop it suddenly unless your team tells you to, especially after long use. Your team will tell you how to lower it.
- Long-term use can thin your bones and cause eye problems such as cataracts. Your team may check your bones and eyes.
- Ask your team before getting any live vaccine.
At home
- Take it with food or milk, in the morning unless your team says otherwise.
- Take it exactly on the days your team tells you. Short courses and long courses are different.
- If you miss a dose, ask your care team what to do. Do not take two doses to make up for it.
- Store at room temperature, away from children and pets.
Questions to ask
- Which days should I take it, and for how long?
- Should I check my blood sugar at home?
- Will I need to lower the dose slowly when I stop?
- Do I need medicine to protect my stomach, bones, or prevent infection?
Part of these treatment plans
Side effect guides
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Prednisone?
- Prednisone is a steroid pill that kills some blood cancer cells and calms swelling and the immune system. Brand names: Rayos.
- What is Prednisone used for?
- lymphomas, as part of combinations such as R-CHOP; acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); multiple myeloma; prostate cancer, together with other medicines; treating immune side effects from immunotherapy; graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant.
- How is Prednisone given?
- Prednisone is a pill you take by mouth. In lymphoma treatment it is often taken for 5 days in each 3-week cycle. For other uses it may be taken every day for weeks, then slowly lowered. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Prednisone?
- High blood sugar. Trouble sleeping. Mood changes, such as feeling restless, irritable, or very upbeat. Upset stomach or heartburn. More hunger and weight gain. Swelling from holding fluid, and higher blood pressure. Muscle weakness with long-term use.
- When should I call my care team while taking Prednisone?
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills; Very high thirst, urinating a lot, or blood sugar higher than your team told you to expect; Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or bad stomach pain; Big mood changes, confusion, or thoughts of hurting yourself; Blurry vision or eye pain; Feeling very weak, dizzy, sick to your stomach, or faint, especially if you missed doses or are sick.
- Which chemotherapy plans include Prednisone?
- BV-CHP, C10403 (CALGB 10403), DA-EPOCH-R, POMP, R-CHOP.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.