Orapred

Orapred is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drug under the corticosteroid group, used to treat arthritis, skin and eye conditions (i.e. psoriasis), breathing disorders, lupus, blood disorders, allergies and immune system disorder. This medication inhibits the body from releasing natural chemicals that cause swelling.

Instructions:

Read your medication guide and follow your doctor’s prescription at all times.

• Take Orapred orally/ by mouth with milk or after meals, 1- 4 times a day or one dose every other day per doctor’s prescription.
• Use a standard medicine cup/ spoon (not household spoon) to obtain the accurate amount for each dose if you are using the liquid preparation of this medication.
• If you are using the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) preparation of this medication, handle the tablet with dry hands. Place it on your tongue and let it dissolve without chewing. You may drink water or other liquid to make it easier to swallow the dissolved medicine.
• The dosage depends on your medical condition or treatment response. Do not adjust your dose without your doctor’s recommendation.
• Avoid alcohol intake and activities that require mental alertness (i.e. driving, operating machinery) because this medication can cause dizziness.
• Likewise, alcohol will trigger stomach bleeding when used with Orapred.
• Carry an alert card or medical bracelet/ ID, which indicate that you are using this medication.
• Avoid getting in contact with individuals who have a current infection that can be transmitted to other people (i.e. flu, chicken pox, measles) and those who just received live vaccines (flu vaccine administered into the nose) because Orapred can weaken your immune system and this will make you susceptible to acquiring the infection. Inform your doctor immediately if you become severely ill or if you have an infection.
• Continue taking Orapred on a regular schedule (same time of the day). Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without consulting your doctor to prevent withdrawal symptoms including body weakness, muscle aches, nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness and weight loss.

Inform your doctor immediately if your condition aggravates or does not improve.

Take your missed dose as soon as possible. However, make sure that the time interval between the missed and the next dose is not too close if you are taking this medication more than once a day.

Otherwise, stick with the regular schedule and leave out the missed dose. Do not double dose to cover up a missed dose. Record your missed dose and inform your doctor immediately if you missed several doses.

If you are taking Orapred every other day and you missed a dose, contact your doctor immediately for a new dosing schedule.

Interactions:

Orapred may interact with:

• Aldesleukin
• Azathioprine
• Cyclosporine
• Cancer medications
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Mifepristone
• Furosemide
• Antibiotics (i.e. ciprofloxacin, erythromycin)
• Warfarin
• Clopidogrel
• Estrogens
• Anti- seizure or anticonvulsant medications (i.e. carbamazepine, phenytoin) and
• Azole antifungals (i.e. itraconazole)

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of Orapred. Likewise, Orapred may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with Orapred.

Never alter the doses of other medications while on Orapred neither stop nor start any medicine without the doctor’s recommendation.

Side Effects:

There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Warnings:

Before taking Orapred, tell your health care provider if you have/are:

• Any allergies to any substance, food or medication, particularly to Orapred;
• Medical history or a present condition such as:

        o Eye disorder (i.e. cataract, glaucoma)

        o Heart disease (i.e. heart failure)

        o High blood pressure

        o Liver or kidney disease

        o Thyroid disorder

        o Diabetes

        o Stomach or intestinal disorder (i.e. ulcer, diverticulitis)

        o Osteoporosis

        o Current or previous infections (i.e. tuberculosis, herpes, fungal disease)

        o Bleeding disorder

        o Blood clots

        o Mental or mood disorder (i.e. anxiety, depression, psychosis)

        o Low levels of potassium or calcium in the blood

        o Seizure

        o Alcohol dependence

        o Phenylketonuria

• Pregnant, planning to get pregnant or currently breastfeeding a baby (Orapred can harm the unborn child and it can pass through breast milk that may harm the nursing child. The risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy must be discussed well with your doctor.)