If you do not have a bowel movement for 2-3 days call your doctor who will prescribe something. Most doctors also want their patients to wear an SPF 15 sunscreen if you are going to be outside for more than 15 minutes. You are very susceptible to sunburn while on this drug. Some patients also experience jaw pain or hoarsness. Please notify your doctor or chemo nurse.
Prednisone is taken by mouth and produces more complaints than any other drug.
One thing to be careful of on prednisone is that it can 'mask the signs of infection' so you have to be careful when you are on it about avoiding situations in which you could be infected. Prednisone will also raise your blood pressure, so you will want to avoid stressful situations. Prednisone also causes that swelling I spoke of earlier, and you will find you retain a lot of water. This does go away but it can be disconcerting when your shoes don't fit. Because prednisone is very hard on the gastrointestinal system, most people will be put on Zantac or a similar drug.