prednisolone
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.
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:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g. psoriasis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Kidney conditions
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.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Prednisolone?
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
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling (on your face, lips, mouth, or throat), peeling skin, rash, hives
Source: DailyMed
More on Prednisolone side effects
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
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
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
eye tearing
facial hair growth in females
fainting
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
pain in back, ribs, arms, or legs
painful or difficult urination
skin rash
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
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 of Prednisolone
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
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 for Prednisolone
Take prednisolone with food. This helps to avoid upset stomach.
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.
Don't stop taking prednisolone without speaking with your prescriber. They might need lower (taper) your dose slowly before completely stopping it to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Prednisolone
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prednisolone dosage forms
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.
How much does Prednisolone cost?
Prednisolone contraindications
Current fungal infection that has spread throughout the body
What are alternatives to Prednisolone?
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune disorders, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g. psoriasis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Kidney conditions
Allergies or allergic reactions
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Eye conditions
Lung conditions
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to blood cells
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
Allergic reactions
Eye inflammation
Lung problems
Conditions related to blood cells
Cancer of blood cells (e.g., leukemia)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
What is the latest news about Prednisolone?
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican 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.
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.
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