2. GWB is an asthmatic who has been taking an oral glucocorticoid (prednisone) f

Question

2. GWB is an asthmatic who has been taking an oral glucocorticoid (prednisone) for over 2 yrs to control his symptoms. To avoid some of prednisone’s side effects, his pediatrician decides to switch his asthma medication to an inhaled glucocorticoid (fluticasone). Rather than abruptly stop the prednisone, he decides to slowly reduce the dose of rednisone over the next six months to a year. Why did his physician do this, rather than abruptly stop giving prednisone? A. To avoid a rebound in his asthma B. because the onset of action of the inhaled drug is very slow C. to allow the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to regain full activity D. to avoid causing a rebound surge in cortisol release by the adrenal gland 2. GWB is an asthmatic who has been taking an oral glucocorticoid (prednisone) for over 2 yrs to control his symptoms. To avoid some of prednisone’s side effects, his pediatrician decides to switch his asthma medication to an inhaled glucocorticoid (fluticasone). Rather than abruptly stop the prednisone, he decides to slowly reduce the dose of rednisone over the next six months to a year. Why did his physician do this, rather than abruptly stop giving prednisone? A. To avoid a rebound in his asthma B. because the onset of action of the inhaled drug is very slow C. to allow the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to regain full activity D. to avoid causing a rebound surge in cortisol release by the adrenal gland 2. GWB is an asthmatic who has been taking an oral glucocorticoid (prednisone) for over 2 yrs to control his symptoms. To avoid some of prednisone’s side effects, his pediatrician decides to switch his asthma medication to an inhaled glucocorticoid (fluticasone). Rather than abruptly stop the prednisone, he decides to slowly reduce the dose of rednisone over the next six months to a year. Why did his physician do this, rather than abruptly stop giving prednisone? A. To avoid a rebound in his asthma B. because the onset of action of the inhaled drug is very slow C. to allow the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to regain full activity D. to avoid causing a rebound surge in cortisol release by the adrenal gland

Explanation / Answer

D, to avoid causing a rebound surge in cortisol release by the adrenal gland

Prednisone is similar to cortisol released by the adrenal gland. When removed abruptly, the adrenal gland releases large amounts of cortisol. Tapering off of prednisone is thus recommended such that the adrenal gland resumes it's normal function.

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