If you have asthma or allergies, you may be prescribed medication from time to time. Typically, these medications need to be taken on a regular basis as directed by your doctor.
However, in some cases, it’s necessary to get a prescription for prednisone. This might seem confusing since this is not an everyday medication like an antihistamine or beta-agonist. In general, most people see their doctor and leave with a prescription for prednisone, rather than the actual drug itself.
Here we explain how to get a prescription for prednisone so that you can take it as instructed by your physician.
Table of Contents
What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid used to treat a variety of medical conditions. It’s most commonly prescribed as an anti-inflammatory drug to treat asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
Prednisone can also be used to treat a number of other conditions including:
- Diseases of the GI tract, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Skin disorders
- Diseases of the eye
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancers of the blood
- Cancers of the lymph nodes
- Certain infections
- Severe cases of asthma
- Severe autoimmune diseases
- Severe cases of alopecia areata
- Pneumonia
How to Get a Prescription for Prednisone
When you visit your doctor to get a prescription for prednisone, it’s important that you bring your medical history with you. This includes any medications you’ve taken in the past, as well as any allergies or other medical issues you have.
The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, and take samples of your blood. Some doctors may also order additional tests, like X-rays or scans, to rule out other conditions.
Once your doctor has a better idea of what’s causing your symptoms, they will write you a prescription for prednisone.
In some cases, your doctor may write you a prescription for prednisone without having seen you in person. This is often the case with urgent care clinics and online providers who can’t schedule appointments with patients.
In these cases, your doctor will ask you to answer a series of questions about your symptoms, and then write you a prescription for prednisone based on the answers you provide.
Why You Need a Prescription for Prednisone
Most people think a prescription for prednisone is the same as the drug itself. This isn’t the case, though. A prescription for prednisone is a set of instructions for your pharmacist. When you visit the pharmacy, you give the doctor’s prescription to the pharmacist, who then fills it and dispenses the correct dosage of prednisone.
There are a variety of laws surrounding prescription drugs and the need to get a prescription for prednisone is one of them. These laws are designed to ensure that patients are only given the medications they need, and only by medical professionals who know the risks and benefits of each drug.
How to Get a Prescription for Prednisone From Your Doctor
If you are visiting your doctor for the first time, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you’re visiting the correct physician, and that you have an idea of what to expect when you visit. You also want to make sure you have everything you need to get a prescription for prednisone as quickly as possible.
Bring your medical history with you, including any allergies you have. You should also bring any medications you’re currently taking, including both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
You can also help speed up the process by asking your doctor any questions you have ahead of time. This way, you don’t waste your doctor’s time once you’re there.
During your appointment, you should expect your doctor to ask you questions, perform a physical examination, and take samples of your blood.
Where to Find a Doctor to Write You a Prescription for Prednis-One
If you’re in a pinch and need to get a prescription for prednisone as soon as possible, you may want to visit an urgent care clinic. Around 20% of all doctor’s visits are for urgent care, which is why these clinics are becoming increasingly popular. While you can’t make an appointment to see these physicians, you can often get in and out quickly.
Some urgent care clinics even accept walk-ins. If you want to find a doctor to write you a prescription for prednis-one, you can consult the American Board of Medical Specialties website. This website lists the credentials of all medical specialties in the United States, and can help you find the right urgent care clinic to visit.
Alternatives to Getting a Prescription for Prednisone
If you’re dealing with an acute, short-term condition, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. While these drugs are effective, they are only meant for short-term use. If you’re dealing with chronic or ongoing symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend a prescription drug.
While there are alternatives to getting a prescription for prednisone, it’s important to talk with your doctor about these first. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether these drugs are safe for you and your condition.
They’ll also be able to tell you about the benefits and risks of each drug. This can help you make an informed decision about which medication is best for you.
Conclusion
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid used to treat a variety of medical conditions. It’s most commonly prescribed as an anti-inflammatory drug to treat asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
If you’re dealing with a short-term, acute condition, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you’re dealing with chronic or ongoing symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend a prescription drug.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about these drugs and their benefits and risks before making a decision.
