Prednisolone

What it is and how it works

Mechanism class: Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists

Indications

INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1. Endocrine disorders . Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Nonsuppurative thyroiditis Hypercalcemia associated with cancer 2. Rheumatic disorders . As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis; including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy) Ankylosing spondylitis Acute and subacute bursitis Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis Acute gouty arthritis Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Synovitis of osteoarthritis Epicondylitis 3. Collagen diseases . During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus Acute rheumatic carditis Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis) 4.

Dosage and administration (summary)

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The initial dosage of prednisolone tablets may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity, lower doses will generally suffice, while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, prednisolone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Systemic fungal infections

Warnings and precautions

WARNINGS In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated. Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection Corticosteroids, including prednisolone, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens.

Storage and supply

HOW SUPPLIED Prednisolone Tablets, USP 5 mg are peach coloured, round shaped, approximately 6.35 mm, flat beveled edged scored tablets debossed with ‘P & L’ separated with score line on one side and ‘5’ on the other side.

Source: Prednisolone (Prednisolone) — US FDA prescribing information, 2024-02-16, DailyMed. Summarised and shortened; the full label governs. Iranian registration, indications and labelling may differ.