Prednisolone: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine in the systemic glucocorticoid class, used mainly to reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis, severe allergies and asthma. It reduces immune system activity as well as inflammation, and treatment is tailored to the condition and its response. Prednisolone is available as a generic medicine and requires a prescription in the United Kingdom.

Prednisolone acts like glucocorticoid hormones that the body naturally makes in the adrenal glands. It enters cells and changes how they produce substances involved in inflammation. This reduces swelling, redness and other inflammatory symptoms.

It also reduces the activity of the immune system, which can help when immune responses are contributing to illness. This same effect can make infections harder to fight and can hide some signs of infection. In adrenal hormone deficiency, it can help replace missing hormone activity.

Prednisolone oral solution is used for a wide range of inflammatory and immune-related conditions. These include rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, acute gout, lupus, severe psoriasis, severe allergic reactions and bronchial asthma. It is also listed for inflammatory eye conditions, certain lung diseases, ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis, an inflammatory bowel condition.

Other uses include adrenal hormone deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid inflammation and high blood calcium associated with cancer. It can treat certain blood disorders, including immune-related anaemia and low platelet counts, and kidney disease causing protein loss in the urine.

The label also lists relief of symptoms in some leukaemias and lymphomas, and treatment of systemic muscle inflammation. For certain tuberculosis-related conditions, it is used alongside appropriate treatment for the infection.

The label lists oral solution strengths of 5 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/5 mL, 15 mg/5 mL, 20 mg/5 mL and 25 mg/5 mL, and an oral syrup strength of 15 mg/5 mL. The label lists oral tablets of 5 mg and orally disintegrating tablets of 10 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg. The label lists eye solution drops of 10 mg/mL and eye suspension drops of 1.2 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL.

The label lists an initial oral solution dosage ranging from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the disease being treated. Treatment is individualised according to disease severity and response, including in children. The label describes adjustment until a satisfactory response is reached, followed by gradual reduction to the lowest effective maintenance dosage.

Gradual withdrawal is described after longer treatment rather than abrupt stopping. Prolonged treatment requires regular monitoring, including blood pressure, body weight, blood glucose and potassium.

The oral solution label specifies storage at 20° to 25°C in a tight, light-resistant and child-resistant container. Do not refrigerate the oral solution. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and follow the storage directions on the pack.

If a dose is missed, follow the directions on the dispensing label or ask a pharmacist for advice. General advice is to resume the prescribed schedule rather than double a dose to make up for one missed. Prednisolone should not be stopped abruptly after long-term treatment, so seek advice if several doses have been missed.

The label states that adequate human reproduction studies with corticosteroids have not been done. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, possible treatment benefits must be weighed against potential risks to the mother and baby.

Discuss treatment with a doctor or pharmacist. Babies born to mothers who received substantial corticosteroid doses during pregnancy should be observed for signs of reduced adrenal gland function.