prednisone at a glance
Medicine class
Systemic glucocorticoid corticosteroid.
Main role
Controls inflammation and suppresses harmful immune responses.
Stopping treatment
Do not stop suddenly unless the prescriber confirms this is appropriate.
What is prednisone used for?
The selected oral solution is licensed for corticosteroid-responsive conditions, including:
Asthma, severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis.
Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, selected connective-tissue disease and polyarteritis nodosa.
Severe inflammatory skin disorders, including pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid and pyoderma gangrenosum.
Minimal-change nephrotic syndrome and acute interstitial nephritis.
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and sarcoidosis.
Rheumatic carditis.
Selected blood disorders and malignancies, including autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, leukaemias, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Immunosuppression associated with transplantation.
How does prednisone work?
Prednisolone binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and alters gene activity. This reduces inflammatory mediators and dampens immune-cell activity.
prednisone preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg/mL
How to take prednisone
Follow the prescription label and use only the measuring device supplied with an oral liquid. Taking prednisolone with food can reduce stomach upset. Do not change or stop treatment without checking with the prescriber, particularly after prolonged or repeated treatment.
Measure oral solution with the supplied oral syringe rather than a household spoon.
Ask a pharmacist if storage instructions or the supplied measuring device are unclear.
Tell healthcare professionals that you take a systemic corticosteroid before surgery, dental treatment or another invasive procedure.
prednisone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Indigestion or nausea.
- Increased appetite and weight gain.
- Difficulty sleeping, restlessness or sweating.
- Mild mood changes.
- Fluid retention, bruising or slower wound healing.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infection, which may have muted or unusual symptoms.
- Serious mood or behavioural disturbance, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts.
- High blood glucose or significant electrolyte disturbance.
- Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding.
- Adrenal suppression or acute adrenal insufficiency, particularly after abrupt withdrawal.
- New blurred vision or other visual disturbance.
- Severe allergic reaction.
- Osteoporosis, muscle weakness or impaired growth with prolonged exposure.
prednisone in pregnancy
Systemic corticosteroids can be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Most exposed pregnancies do not result in corticosteroid-related birth defects, but prolonged or repeated treatment and the underlying illness may justify closer maternal and fetal monitoring. Do not stop treatment because of pregnancy without specialist or prescriber review.
prednisone while breastfeeding
Prednisolone is a preferred systemic corticosteroid during breastfeeding because only small amounts enter milk and there is extensive clinical experience. Prolonged high exposure, a premature or unwell infant, or concerns about feeding and growth should prompt individual specialist assessment and possible infant monitoring.
prednisone interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important interactions include:
Aspirin and NSAIDs, including ibuprofen
Combined use increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding.
Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants
The anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk may increase, requiring closer coagulation monitoring.
Rifampicin, rifabutin and enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines
They can increase corticosteroid metabolism and reduce its clinical effect.
Common questions about prednisone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Are prednisone and prednisolone the same medicine in this page?
The supplied product document is for prednisolone sodium phosphate, which delivers prednisolone. The terms should not be substituted on a prescription without confirmation from a prescriber or pharmacist.
Can prednisone be stopped suddenly?
Stopping systemic corticosteroids abruptly can cause withdrawal, adrenal insufficiency or recurrence of the treated illness. The prescriber should decide whether supervised reduction is needed.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.