If you only take prednisone once a day, take it first thing in the morning with breakfast. The morning is ideal since it corresponds to the period of your body's natural cortisol production. If you take your prednisone dose too late in the evening, you may have trouble sleeping. Taking it too late brings its effectiveness right up until the moment of its administration - which is why some people prefer to take their daily dose before they go to bed. If you take your prednisone twice daily, you will want to take it at approximately the same time each day. Try to avoid taking it within three hours of going to sleep because that's when your body's natural cortisol levels are at their lowest point. Doing so will reduce the amount of cortisol you're able to release during periods where increased inflammation is needed such as early in the morning or near bedtime. Rather, wait until about an hour after waking up or just before going to sleep each night. Taking your prednisone in conjunction with other medications or substances of abuse such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine is not recommended because they will only add to the negative effects these drugs can have when taken together. Prednisone should be taken for no longer than two months at a time. If you continue taking it beyond this period, the benefits will begin to wane and you will need to extend the time between doses.