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Prednisolone and diabetes — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardEndocrine TherapeuticsPrednisolone and diabetesGPhC CRA

A patient has taken prednisolone 10 mg daily for 4 months and wants to stop because symptoms are controlled. Which advice best addresses adrenal suppression?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: BContinue the prescribed dose until a clinician provides a tapering plan

Prolonged systemic corticosteroid treatment can suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis even at modest doses. Abrupt withdrawal risks adrenal insufficiency and disease relapse. The dose should be tapered according to duration, dose, disease activity and clinical response, with sick-day advice when relevant.

Reference: BNF: prednisolone: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/prednisolone/