Question
Why use a low dose of steroid in RA AND NOT LARGE DOSE AS IN SLE?
Answer
Prednisone has many side effects and most side effects increase with the dose. See our RA treatment section for a discussion. In RA, the joints usually respond to low dose prednisone. In SLE, the inflammation can occur in major organs such as the heart, lung, kidney, brain. These serious problems require high dose prednisone for treatment. However, even in SLE, low dose prednisone is used if only the joints are a problem.
