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Prednisolone Coupon - Prednisolone 15mg/5ml oral solution

prednisolone

Generic Millipred
Used for Eczema, Psoriasis, Ulcerative Colitis, Eye Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, Leukemia, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Edema, Gout, Anaphylaxis, Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, Lupus, Chronic ITP, Adrenal Insufficiency
Used for Eczema, Psoriasis, Ulcerative Colitis, Eye Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, Leukemia, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Edema, Gout, Anaphylaxis, Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, Lupus, Chronic ITP, Adrenal Insufficiency

Oral prednisolone is a corticosteroid. It's taken by mouth to treat health conditions related to an overactive immune system or inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, in adults and children. Your healthcare team will determine your dose based on what medical condition you have. Some common short-term side effects of prednisolone include trouble sleeping and mood changes. And if you take this medication for a longer period of time, you're more likely to experience long-term side effects, like weight gain and weakened immune system. If you need to stop prednisolone, your healthcare team might need to taper down your dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Last reviewed on May 12, 2024
basics-icon

What is Prednisolone?

What is Prednisolone used for?

This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune disorders, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:

How Prednisolone works

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid. It's a lab-made medication that's similar to cortisol, a natural stress hormone your body makes. These medications work by lowering certain chemicals in your body that normally cause itching, redness, swelling, or pain.

Are you looking for information on prednisolone (Orapred ODT) orally disintegrating tablets or prednisone instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPediapred, Millipred (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassCorticosteroid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Prednisolone essentials

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What are the side effects of Prednisolone?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Swelling (e.g., puffiness in the face, hands, or feet)
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood sugar
  • Muscle weakness
  • Stomach pain
  • Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
  • Changes in your mood
  • Headache
  • Acne
  • Weight gain and greater appetite

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling (on your face, lips, mouth, or throat), peeling skin, rash, hives

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Aggression

agitation

anxiety

blurred vision

decrease in the amount of urine

dizziness

fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

headache

irritability

mental depression

mood changes

nervousness

noisy, rattling breathing

numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

pounding in the ears

shortness of breath

swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs

trouble thinking, speaking, or walking

troubled breathing at rest

weight gain

Incidence not known

Abdominal cramping and/or burning (severe)

abdominal pain

backache

bloody, black, or tarry stools

cough or hoarseness

darkening of skin

decrease in height

decreased vision

diarrhea

dry mouth

eye pain

eye tearing

facial hair growth in females

fainting

fatigue

fever or chills

flushed, dry skin

fractures

fruit-like breath odor

full or round face, neck, or trunk

heartburn and/or indigestion (severe and continuous)

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

loss of appetite

loss of sexual desire or ability

lower back or side pain

menstrual irregularities

muscle pain or tenderness

muscle wasting or weakness

nausea

pain in back, ribs, arms, or legs

painful or difficult urination

skin rash

sleeplessness

sweating

trouble healing

trouble sleeping

unexplained weight loss

unusual tiredness or weakness

vision changes

vomiting

vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Increased appetite

Incidence not known

Abnormal fat deposits on the face, neck, and trunk

acne

dry scalp

lightening of normal skin color

red face

reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin

swelling of the stomach area

thinning of the scalp hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Prednisolone

thumbs-up

Pros

Works well to treat many different conditions involving the immune system

Dose can be adjusted based on your response

Available as a lower-cost generic

Available as a liquid that might be easier for children

thumbs-down

Cons

Can cause side effects like upset stomach, mood changes, and sleep problems

Long-term use can cause problems with skin, bone, and eye health.

Can raise your risk for infections

Need to taper your dose before stopping

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Prednisolone

pharmacist
  • It's best to take prednisolone in the morning to lower your risk of sleep problems at night. If your prescriber wants you to take a dose in the morning and evening, take the evening dose 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to see if that helps you sleep better at night.

    • If you're taking prednisolone oral solution, only use the measuring device provided at the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate. Store the oral solution at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

      • If you have diabetes, it's important that you check your blood sugar regularly while taking prednisolone. This medication can raise your blood sugar levels. Depending on your blood sugar numbers, your diabetes care team might need to make changes to your blood sugar medications.

        • If you have high blood pressure, check your blood pressure regularly while taking prednisolone. This medication can raise your blood pressure, especially if you're taking a higher dose for a longer period of time.

          • Always tell your HCP and pharmacist that you're taking prednisolone before getting any vaccines. Since prednisolone can weaken your immune system, some vaccines might not work as well or be safe for you while you're taking this medication. Your HCP and pharmacist can make sure you can get the vaccines you need.

            • Taking prednisolone for a longer period of time can raise your risk of getting an infection. Call your healthcare team right away if you have a fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, cough, pain with passing urine, or a wound that won't heal. You might need more medical attention.

              • Tell your healthcare team if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Prednisolone has caused harm to babies in animal studies, but it isn't clear how safe it is to take during pregnancy in humans.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Prednisolone

                Can you drink alcohol while you're taking prednisolone?
                You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking prednisolone or other oral steroids. Drinking alcohol can worsen certain side effects of steroids, like stomach irritation and poor sleep. Doing so can also raise the risk for more serious problems, such as stomach bleeding. If you drink alcohol regularly and it's difficult for you to stop, talk with your healthcare team. They can recommend resources to help you quit.
                How long does it take for prednisolone to work?
                Prednisolone gets absorbed into your body within hours after a dose. But how soon prednisolone starts to work might differ from person to person, depending on what health condition you have and how serious your condition is. Ask your healthcare team what you can expect from prednisolone treatment.
                Can prednisolone cause constipation or diarrhea?
                People don't typically report constipation or diarrhea as side effects while taking prednisolone. Tell your healthcare team if you have constipation or diarrhea that doesn't get better after a few days, or if you have severe symptoms like fever and bloody stool. They can try to help you figure out what might be causing your symptoms and give you more medical attention.
                Can prednisolone make you tired?
                People who take prednisolone commonly report insomnia (trouble sleeping) as a side effect. If you experience difficulty sleeping at night, then you might feel tired the next day. Talk to your prescriber if you feel prednisolone is affecting your sleep and making you feel tired as a result. They can talk with you about ways to get better sleep, such as practicing good sleep hygiene. But if those tips don't work, they might be able to adjust your dose of prednisolone or recommend other treatment options.
                Can I take prednisolone at night?
                Taking corticosteroids can make it harder for you to fall asleep. To lower the risk of this side effect, it's best to take prednisolone in the morning unless your prescriber has instructed you otherwise. If you have questions about when you should take prednisolone, contact your healthcare team.
                What's the difference between prednisone and prednisolone?
                Both prednisone and prednisolone are corticosteroids taken to treat similar health conditions. They're chemically different, which affects how they start working in your body after you take the medication. For example, prednisone is a prodrug. This means that once you take prednisone, it needs to get changed into its active form (prednisolone) in your liver before it can start to work. When you take prednisolone, it's already in the active form. One isn't really better than the other, but your prescriber will likely consider your liver's ability to convert prednisone to its active form.
                Is prednisolone a steroid?
                Yes, prednisolone is a steroid. It belongs to the drug class known as corticosteroids.
                Is prednisolone an antibiotic?
                No. Prednisolone isn't an antibiotic, and it won't kill bacteria that's causing an infection.
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                warings-icon

                What are the risks and warnings for Prednisolone?

                Prednisolone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Greater risk of infections

                • Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken the immune system | Using prednisolone for a long time | High doses of prednisolone | Not vaccinated against viral illnesses | Coming into contact with people who have viral illnesses | History of long-term infections | Receiving live vaccines

                  Taking prednisolone for a long time or at high doses can raise your risk of getting an infection. This medication can also hide some signs of infection so it might be hard to recognize if you're sick. Avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles. If you had tuberculosis (TB) in the past, your healthcare professional (HCP) will need to follow up with you while you're taking prednisolone to check if the infection has come back. You might need to take antibiotics to prevent or treat TB. Also, talk to your HCP first before getting vaccines while you're taking prednisolone. Depending on the vaccine and your treatment plan, they might not work as well or be safe for you during treatment. Let your HCP know if you feel sick while you're taking prednisolone.

                  risk-warning

                  Changes in heart and kidney function

                  • Risk factors: High blood pressure | History of heart failure | Kidney problems

                    Prednisolone can cause high blood pressure, water buildup in the body, and other changes in the way your kidneys work. These changes can worsen certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems. If you currently have or have had any of these medical conditions, talk to your HCP first before using prednisolone to make sure it's safe for you to take.

                    risk-warning

                    Bone problems with long-term use

                    • Risk factors: Taking prednisolone at high doses or for a long period of time | Risks for osteoporosis (e.g., female sex, history of falls, smoking) | Infants and young children

                      Long-term use of prednisolone can raise your risk of having weakened bones (osteoporosis) and bone fractures. This medication can also slow the growth in infants and children. This is more likely to happen if the medication is used for a long period of time. If your child needs to take prednisolone for a long time, their pediatrician will closely keep track of their growth during treatment. Discuss with a healthcare professional about any concerns you have about prednisolone and possible bone problems.

                      risk-warning

                      Reduced adrenal gland function

                      • Risk factors: Taking high doses of corticosteroids | Using prednisolone for a long period of time | Young children | Stress such as trauma, injury, or infection

                        Your adrenal gland makes certain hormones for your body. Taking prednisolone for a long time can cause adrenal suppression. This is when your adrenal glands stop making your own natural hormones as your body gets used to prednisolone. This is more likely to happen if you're using the medication over a long period of time. Lowering the dose or stopping it suddenly can lead to steroid withdrawal because your adrenal glands need some time to start working again. These withdrawal symptoms include tiredness, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. Talk to your HCP or pharmacist before making any sudden changes to how you take prednisolone.

                        risk-warning

                        Eye Problems

                        • Risk factors: Cataracts and/or glaucoma | History of herpes simplex in the eye

                          Long-term use of prednisolone leads to a higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and certain eye infections. Don't take prednisolone if you have herpes simplex of the eye. Let your prescriber know if you have blurry vision, eye pain, or any vision changes. If you're taking the medication for a long time, you might need to get regular eye exams.

                          risk-warning

                          Mood and behavior changes

                          • Risk factors: History of mental health conditions

                            Prednisolone can cause changes in your mood or behavior. Tell your HCP right away if you feel depressed, have mood swings, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there) while taking this medication.

                            risk-warning

                            Stomach problems

                            • Risk factors: History of stomach bleeding or ulcers | History of ulcerative colitis | Taking other medications that can also cause stomach problems | Alcohol use

                              Taking prednisolone raises the risk of stomach damage, leading to certain problems, like stomach irritation, and more seriously, ulcers and bleeding. Your risk is higher if you have a history of stomach problems or if you're taking other medications that can damage your stomach, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication because it can worsen stomach irritation. Get medical attention right away if you have stomach pain that doesn't go away or you get bloody or dark stools. These can be signs of a serious stomach problem.

                              dosage

                              Prednisolone dosage forms

                              The average cost for 50 ml of 15mg/5ml of Prednisolone is $23.67 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 61.78% off the average retail price of $61.93.
                              ml of oral solution
                              Ml of oral solution
                              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                              15mg/5ml50 ml$23.67$0.47
                              ml of syrup
                              Ml of syrup
                              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                              15mg/5ml60 ml$23.09$0.38
                              tablet
                              Tablet
                              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                              5mg30 tablets$3.90$0.13

                              Typical dosing for Prednisolone

                              Prednisolone comes as tablet and oral solution.

                              The typical starting dose of prednisolone can range from 5 mg to 60 mg by mouth daily. Your healthcare team will determine your dose and how many times a day you take it based on different factors, like what medical condition you have and how serious it is. They'll also make adjustments to your dose based on how well this medication is working for you and if you experience any side effects.

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                              How much does Prednisolone cost?

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                              contraindications-icon

                              Prednisolone contraindications

                              Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Prednisolone will not be safe for you to take.
                              • Current fungal infection that has spread throughout the body

                              alternatives

                              What are alternatives to Prednisolone?

                              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Prednisolone. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                              Prednisolone
                              Used for:

                              This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune disorders, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:

                              $3.90 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                              Used for:
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                              latest news

                              What is the latest news about Prednisolone?

                              images

                              Prednisolone images

                              yellow - Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 15mg / 5mL Solution
                              This medicine is Yellow Oral Solution.yellow - Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 15mg / 5mL Solution
                              colorless - Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 15mg / 5mL Solution
                              This medicine is Colorless Oral Solution.colorless - Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 15mg / 5mL Solution

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                              References

                              Best studies we found

                              American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Leukemia.

                              Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2024). Prednisolone tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                              Briot, K., et al. (2015). Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases Open.

                              View All References (9)

                              Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Altered immunocompetence.

                              Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About chickenpox.

                              Chartwell RX, LLC. (2024). Prednisolone- prednisolone oral solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                              InformedHealth.org. (2021). In brief: Using steroids correctly and avoiding side effects. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.

                               Margolin, L., et al. (2007). The steroid withdrawal syndrome: A review of the implications, etiology, and treatments. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

                              National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease.

                              Pickup, M. E. (2012). Clinical pharmacokinetics of prednisone and prednisolone. Clinical Pharmacokinetics.

                              Royal Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Pediapred- prednisolone sodium phosphate solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                              Yasir, M., et al. (2023). Corticosteroid adverse effects. StatPearls.

                              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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