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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Prednisone

Posted on Tue, 6 Sep 2016

Question: 6 weeks ago had an ear infection that was treated with antibiotics and steroid shot. Infection is resolved. Dr. want me to take steroid pak since I still have buzzing in the ear and aural fullness. Hearing is somewhat diminished. Tried the first day of the pak and had bad reaction. Took me a month to recover. What is the lowest does I can take of this med and still get the benefits of the anti inflammatory

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
10mg of Oral prednisone would suffice

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

The minimum dose should be oral prednisone10mg a day for 10days after the breakfast.

Also, you need to do steam inhalation, use steroid nasal spray (which is much safer than oral steroids) and take mucolytics to clear any fluid inside the middle ear.

Hope this answers your query. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (8 hours later)

Thank you - what is a Mucolytic? Musonex? Also at that dose do I need to taper off? I use Flonase already.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mucolytics include carbocisteine and erdosteine

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Even though Mucinex is a mucolytic, it is better to use either carbocisteine or erdosteine. The latter medicines give faster relief than the former.

Please continue Flonase nasal spray and do steam inhalation.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (36 minutes later)

We do not have either of these formulas in the US> Closest is Mucinex - unless there is a better option. Thank you for advice - doing steam, nasal spray and steroid.

Do I need to be concerned about taper off of the steroid?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, mucinex can be tried...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Yes, you can try using mucinex. 10mg/day dosage of steroids do not require any tapering dose if used for 10 days.

Rest of the medicines, you can continue as per our earlier discussion.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

one last question, I know everyone is different, I have had this for a little over two weeks, (not the infection) about how long should I see some improvement or resolved?. The PCP says it could take up to a month.

The aural fullness has much improved. ET is able to pop freely. Just the intermittent rumbling - strange, the sound improves when I put my head down. It feels like that the volume has decreased somewhat.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It may take 2-4 weeks for the congestion to subside

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Normally, it takes 2-4 weeks for the Eustachian tube congestion to subside. In your case, the congestion around the tube has almost got subsided. With present set of medicines you should expect an early recovery.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj