Prednisolone (Prednisone)

Tablets: 5mg

• Alcohol: keep consumption low. May exacerbate risk of peptic ulcers.
• Avoid exposure to chickenpox, shingles & measles when on treatment.
• Low sodium diet recommended.
• Take with food or milk to avoid GI side effects
• They are best taken in the morning with breakfast because they mimic the body’s own production of cortisone.
• Taking too late in the evening may cause difficulty sleeping.
• Use lowest possible dose.

Glucocorticoid.

Reduce inflammation by blocking the action of chemicals such as prostaglandins that are responsible for triggering the inflammatory response.  They also temporarily depress the immune system by reducing the activity of certain types of white blood cells.

Major difference: PredniSONE must be converted to predniSOLONE by liver enzymes once ingested before it can work. PredniSOLONE preferred in patients with severe liver disease. PredniSONE is usually cheaper.

• Oedema
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Hypertension
• Osteoporosis
• Spontaneous fractures
• Muscle wasting
• Nitrogen depletion
• Hyperglycemia
• Increased appetite
• Delayed wound healing
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Skin thinning
• Peptic ulcerations
• Growth retardation in children
• Acne
• Hirsutism
• Skin pigmentation

• Hypersensitivity
• Systemic fungal infections
• Live virus vaccinations
• Peptic ulcerations
• Psychosis
• Severe psychoneurosis
• TB
• Ocular herpes simplex
• Glaucoma.

Caution should be observed in presence of:

• Heart failure
• Recent MI
• Hypertension
• DM
• Epilepsy
• Hypothyroidism
• Hepatic failure
• Osteoporosis
• Elderly patients
• Renal insufficiency

If used for prolonged periods of time patient should be monitored.

• Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone or rifampicin enhance metabolism and reduce effects of systemic corticosteroids.
• Potassium-depleting diuretics such as thiazides and furosemide may cause excess potassium loss.