Prednisolone
Prednisolone is a systemic glucocorticoid used for many inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions. Risk is closely related to dose and duration, so the treatment plan should specify both how much to take and how it will be reduced or stopped.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Systemic corticosteroid
- Main uses
- Inflammatory, allergic, autoimmune and selected hematologic, respiratory, neurologic and oncologic conditions; corticosteroid replacement in some settings
- Route
- Oral; ophthalmic and injectable formulations also exist
- WHO ATC
- H02AB06
- Key safety
- Infection risk, hyperglycaemia, mood change, hypertension, osteoporosis, cataract/glaucoma risk and adrenal suppression with sufficient systemic exposure.
- Monitoring
- Dose/duration, glucose, blood pressure, infection, bone and eye risk, growth in children and adrenal suppression.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Prednisolone
- INN / generic name
- Prednisolone
- Aliases / salts
- prednisolone
- Russian support entity
- prednisolone.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Prednisolone?
Prednisolone is a systemic glucocorticoid used for many inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions. Risk is closely related to dose and duration, so the treatment plan should specify both how much to take and how it will be reduced or stopped.
What is Prednisolone used for?
Inflammatory, allergic, autoimmune and selected hematologic, respiratory, neurologic and oncologic conditions; corticosteroid replacement in some settings. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Activates glucocorticoid receptors, altering gene transcription and suppressing inflammatory and immune pathways.
Forms and formulations
Tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, oral solution/suspension; route-specific local products. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Take according to the prescribed schedule, usually with food when oral. Do not abruptly discontinue prolonged systemic therapy because endogenous cortisol production may be suppressed. Dose may need temporary adjustment during major illness or physiological stress.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Short courses can cause insomnia, appetite change, mood change, indigestion and higher glucose. Repeated or long-term therapy can cause weight gain, skin thinning, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, cataracts, glaucoma and infection risk.
Important warnings and monitoring
Fever or infection may be less obvious during systemic corticosteroid therapy. Seek urgent care for severe infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, major psychiatric symptoms, vision loss or symptoms of adrenal crisis after withdrawal.
Monitoring context: Dose/duration, glucose, blood pressure, infection, bone and eye risk, growth in children and adrenal suppression.
Interactions
NSAIDs can increase gastrointestinal risk; glucose-lowering therapy may need adjustment; vaccines and medicines that alter steroid metabolism can be clinically important.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Prednisolone may be used in pregnancy when benefits justify treatment. Chronic therapy should not be stopped abruptly; maternal disease control and fetal considerations should be reviewed together.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
Acute toxicity from one extra dose is often limited, but repeated excessive dosing can produce severe metabolic and psychiatric effects. Large or intentional overdose requires urgent assessment.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site prednisolone.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is a glucocorticoid corticosteroid.
Longer or higher-dose systemic treatment can suppress natural cortisol production, so sudden withdrawal may be unsafe.
Yes. Hyperglycaemia is a common corticosteroid effect, especially in people with diabetes or higher doses.
Systemic prednisolone can suppress immune responses and increase susceptibility to some infections.
They contain the same corticosteroid concept but have very different exposure, indications and instructions and are not interchangeable.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
- 1. MedlinePlus. Prednisolone Drug Information. Source ↗
- 2. MedlinePlus. Prednisolone Ophthalmic Drug Information. Source ↗
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.