GENERIC NAME: prednisolone

BRAND NAMES: Prednisolone, Pediapred Oral Liquid Medrol

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Prednisolone is a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are natural substances produced by the adrenal glands located adjacent to the kidneys. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. There are numerous preparations of corticosteroids including oral tablets, capsules, liquids, topical creams and gels, inhalers and eye drops, and injectable and intravenous solutions. Prednisolone that is prescribed in oral tablet and liquid forms is addressed in this article.

Dosage requirements of corticosteroids vary among individuals and the diseases being treated. In general, the lowest possible effective dose is used. Corticosteroids given in multiple doses throughout the day are more effective, but also more toxic, than if the same total dose is given once daily, or every other day.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: tablets: 2mg, 4mg, 8mg, 12mg, 16mg, 24mg, 32mg; Pediapred is an oral liquid: 5mg/5ml (teaspoon); Prelone Syrup is an oral liquid: 15mg/5ml (teaspoon)

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, sealed container. Store Pediapred at 39-77 degrees F.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Prednisolone is used to achieve prompt suppression of inflammation in many inflammatory and allergic conditions. Examples of inflammatory conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, acute gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Severe allergic conditions that fail conventional treatment may also respond to prednisolone. Examples include bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, drug-induced dermatitis, and contact and atopic dermatitis. Chronic skin conditions treated with prednisolone include dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus, severe psoriasis and severe seborrheic dermatitis. Chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions of the uvea, iris, conjunctiva and optic nerves of the eyes are also treated with prednisolone.

Prednisolone is also used in the treatment of blood cell cancers (leukemias), and lymph gland cancers (lymphomas). Blood diseases involving destruction of platelets by the body's own immune cells (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura), and destruction of red blood cells by immune cells (autoimmune hemolytic anemia) can also be treated with prednisolone. Other miscellaneous conditions treated with this medication includethyroiditis and sarcoidosis. Finally, prednisolone is used as a hormone replacement in patients whose adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient amounts of corticosteroids.

DOSING: Should be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Prolonged use of prednisolone can depress the ability of body's adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids. Abruptly stopping prednisolone in these individuals can cause symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency, with accompanying nausea, vomiting and even shock. Therefore, withdrawal of prednisolone is usually accomplished by gradual tapering. Gradually tapering prednisolone not only minimizes the symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency, it also reduces the risk of an abrupt flare of the disease under treatment.

Prednisolone and other corticosteroids can mask signs of infection and impair the body's natural immune response to infection. Patients on corticosteroids are more susceptible to infections, and can develop more serious infections than healthy individuals. For instance, chicken pox and measles viruses can produce serious and even fatal illnesses in patients on high doses of prednisolone. Live virus vaccines, such as small pox vaccine, should be avoided in patients taking high doses of prednisolone, since even vaccine viruses may cause disease in these patients. Some infectious organisms, such as tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, can remain dormant in a patient for years. Prednisolone and other corticosteroids can reactivate dormant infections in these patients and cause serious illnesses. Patients with dormant TB may require anti-TB medications while undergoing prolonged corticosteroid treatment.

By interfering with the patient's immune response, prednisolone can impede the effectiveness of vaccinations. Prednisolone can also interfere with the tuberculin skin test and cause false negative results in patients with tuberculosis infection.

Prednisolone impairs calcium absorption and new bone formation. Patients on prolonged treatment with prednisolone and other corticosteroids can develop osteoporosis and an increased risk of bone fractures. Supplemental calcium and vitamin D are encouraged to slow this process of bone thinning. In rare individuals, destruction of large joints can occur while undergoing treatment with prednisolone or other corticosteroids. These patients experience severe pain in the involved joints, and can require joints replacements. The reason behind such destruction is not clear.

SIDE EFFECTS: Prednisolone side effects depend on the dose, the duration and the frequency of administration. Short courses of prednisolone are usually well tolerated with few and mild side effects. Long term, high doses of prednisolone will usually produce predictable, and potentially serious side effects. Whenever possible, the lowest effective doses of prednisolone should be used for the shortest possible length of time to minimize side effects. Alternate day dosing can also help reduce side effects.

Side effects of prednisolone and other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible bodily damages. Side effects include fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium loss, headache, muscle weakness, puffiness of and hair growth on the face, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, growth retardation in children, convulsions, and psychic disturbances. Psychic disturbances can include depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and even psychotic behavior. The bone and joint complications of corticosteroids are discussed above in Drug Interactions.

Printer-Friendly Format

|

Email to a Friend

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

prednisone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred - Defines the medication prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred) a drug used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interaction, and side effects. Source:MedicineNet Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission). Source:MedicineNet Cortisone Injection - Read about cortisone injection treatment for inflammation, allergic reaction, sciatica and arthritis. Learn about side effects and complications of a cortisone shot. Source:MedicineNet Read 80 more prednisolone related articles ... Omega-3 Fatty Acids Won't Prevent Crohn's Relapse Combo Treatment Best for Elderly Lymphoma Patients

Back to Medications Index

Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997