drug questions for infants

[fezzik]

Anyone had young children/infants with respiratory issues ever been prescribed orapred/prednisolone? I have done some online reading, but anyone with first hand experience with this drug? Does it clear up RSV? Side effects other than upset stomach? Would you let your child take it again?

Thanks.

[jinjer]

Orapred is a steroid used to help keep the airways open and reduce inflammation. All steroids can cause upset stomach and sometime jitteriness. RSV is a virus, so we treat symptoms and support the airway.

Jinjer

[fezzik]

Thanks Jinjer...Doctor said it would help clear things up 6-8 hours later, but the drug is supposed to be given orally twice a day for five days. I am not completely comfortable reading some of the other side effects on the internet: stunting growth, weak bones, weight gain, etc.

Are the risks worth the rewards?

[jinjer]

You would only have those mentioned side effects if you used steroids everyday for a very long time. Using them for airway protecting is and reduced inflammation is a good use. I prescribe Orapred alot for bronchiolits and RSV and sometimes for really swollen tonsils. Are you doing breathing treatments as well?

Jinjer

[fezzik]

Yes, breathing treatments with a nebulizer twice a day using pulmicort and four times a day with albuterol.

Thanks for the response.

[MacUser]

Jinjer,
Are you a MD or NP?

[jinjer]

I am a family nurse practitioner, working in pediatrics.

Jinjer

[Phil Hoover]

Listen to her....she will not steer you wrong!

[jessicacook]

My 2 year old has asthma and we use Pulmicort in the nebulizer once in the morning as a preventative and then a Singulair tablet at night.

The doc put him on this when we got out of the hospital back in October. They said since he needed to be hospitalized and needed oxygen, then he needed some preventative meds. We were sent home with an asthma paper that said when he starts to coughing or sneezing to stop the Pulmicort and start Albuterol every 4 hours. So far, it's helped him.

He's also had bronchiolitis and he was on Albuterol in the nebulizer then as well.

I have heard steroids are the new miracle drug.

[fezzik]

We started the steroid last night, followed this morning by a couple of vomitting episodes. The doctor says that it's either a typical reaction to the steroids or a stomach virus that many people in and out of their office have complained about this week. I hope it's the former...none of us want to suffer through a stomach virus this week/weekend. We could all use some sleep.

[jinjer]

That is a very common reaction to breathing treatments, and sometimes oral steroids. I'm praying you and the sweet baby can get some rest!!

Jinjer

[fezzik]

The prednisolone honestly appears to be doing nothing. Still coughing, still congested...now staying awake most of the night and getting fussier since there's been no sleep. We're obviously not sleeping either. What next?

[jinjer]

predisone is simply to keep the airway open. So, it is doing something, although it is not giving you rest. Your pediatrician maybe willing to prescribe a cough suppressant. We don't usually like to give those to children under 2, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I know you said you were doing breathing twice a day. I usually prescribe doing breathing treatments every 6 hours, or 4 times or more a day. I won't second guess your doc, as he knows your baby, but that is what I and my pediatricians prescribe.

Praying here!!

Jinjer