Prednisolone is a generic prescription drug. It’s FDA-approved to treat many conditions. A few examples include:

The drug has many other approved uses in adults and children. For details, see the “Prednisolone uses” section below.

Drug details

Prednisolone belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids. It comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • oral tablet, which comes in 5 milligrams (mg)
  • oral solution, which comes in:
    • 5 mg per 5 milliliters (mg/mL)
    • 10 mg/5 mL
    • 15 mg/5 mL
    • 20 mg/5 mL
    • 25 mg/ 5 mL
    • 30 mg/ 5 mL

Prednisolone also comes as an eye drop. However, this article does not cover this form. Your doctor can tell you more about this form, its side effects, dosages, and more.

Brand-name versions

Prednisolone oral tablet is the generic version of Millipred. And prednisolone oral solution is the generic version of Pediapred and Prelone.

The eyedrop form of prednisolone has different brand-name drug versions. For information on these versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Prednisolone is a generic drug. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Millipred is the brand-name medication that prednisolone oral tablet is based on. And Pediapred and Prelone are the brand-name medications that prednisolone oral solution is based on.

A generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you’re interested in taking Millipred, Pediapred, or Prelone instead of prednisolone, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether these brand-name versions come in forms and strengths that can be used for your condition. If you have insurance, you’ll also need to check whether your plan will cover the brand-name version.

To learn more about how generics compare with brand-name drugs, see this article.

Side effects can occur with prednisolone 5-mg oral tablets and the drug’s other oral forms and strengths. The effects can be mild or serious. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking prednisolone. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of prednisolone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with prednisolone, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of prednisolone. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view the prescribing information for prednisolone oral tablets and prednisolone oral solution.

Mild side effects of prednisolone can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and prednisolone, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from prednisolone aren’t common. However, they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include:

* For more information about allergic reaction and prednisolone, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Side effects in children vs. adults

Prednisolone is approved to treat several conditions in children. (For more details, see the “Prednisolone uses” section below.)

Most side effects of prednisolone in children are expected to be the same as those in adults. (For a list of possible side effects in adults, see “Mild side effects” and “Serious side effects” above.)

In addition, long-term treatment with corticosteroids may slow growth in children. (Prednisolone is a type of corticosteroid.) However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of prednisolone oral tablets or prednisolone oral solution. Your child’s doctor will recommend the length of time your child can safely take the drug.

Due to these risks, your child’s doctor will typically prescribe prednisolone for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your child’s condition.

If your child takes prednisolone long term, their doctor may check their weight and height during treatment. Your child’s doctor can compare these measurements with the typical growth rates for the child’s age. If they find signs of delayed growth, they may switch your child to a treatment other than prednisolone.

If you have questions about how prednisolone may affect your child, talk with their doctor.

Long-term side effects

Long-term treatment with corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, can increase your risk of certain side effects.

Possible side effects that may occur with long-term corticosteroid treatment include:

In addition, long-term treatment with corticosteroids may slow growth in children. For details, see “Side effects in children vs. adults” just above.

Due to these risks, doctors typically prescribe prednisolone for the shortest amount of time that gives the desired outcome. If your condition requires long-term treatment with prednisolone, your doctor may suggest alternate-day dosing. To learn more, see the “Prednisolone dosage” section below.

If you’re concerned about the long-term side effects of prednisolone, talk with your doctor.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking prednisolone. This is a rare side effect of corticosteroids. (Prednisolone is a corticosteroid.) However, it isn’t known how common allergic reaction was in clinical trials of prednisolone oral tablets and oral solution.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare. However, it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to prednisolone, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The prednisolone dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking prednisolone to treat
  • your age
  • other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Prednisolone oral forms and strengths

Prednisolone comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • oral tablet: 5 milligrams (mg)
  • oral solution:
    • 5 mg per 5 milliliters (mg/mL)
    • 10 mg/5 mL
    • 15 mg/5 mL
    • 20 mg/5 mL
    • 25 mg/5 mL
    • 30 mg/5 mL

Prednisolone dosage for adults

The starting dosage of prednisolone for adults ranges from 5 mg to 60 mg daily. Your doctor may adjust your dosage over time to reach the desired outcome for your condition.

The drug manufacturer hasn’t provided a “normal” dose or maximum dose of prednisolone. Some conditions may require a low dose of prednisolone, such as 5 mg daily. Other conditions may require a higher dosage, such as 40 mg daily.

Your doctor will recommend the exact dosage of prednisolone needed to treat your condition. They may be able to provide you with a dosage chart to help guide you.

Prednisolone dosage for children

The dosage of prednisolone for infants and children varies depending on the condition being treated.

Your child’s doctor will recommend the exact dosage of prednisolone needed to treat your child’s condition.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of prednisolone, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its regular time.

You should not take an extra dose of prednisolone to make up for a missed dose. Doing this can increase your risk of side effects from the drug.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Prednisolone can be a short-term or long-term treatment. Your doctor can advise how long to take prednisolone based on your specific condition.

Note: Your doctor may suggest alternate-day dosing if they think you’ll need to take prednisolone long term. With alternate-day dosing, you’ll take prednisolone every other day.* This may help lower the risk of certain long-term side effects† that are possible with corticosteroid drugs, including prednisolone.

* For details about how to take prednisolone, see the “How to take prednisolone” section below.
† To learn more about long-term side effects of prednisolone, see the “Prednisolone side effects” section above.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as prednisolone to treat certain conditions. Prednisolone may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Prednisolone for certain types of arthritis

Prednisolone is FDA-approved to treat certain types of arthritis in adults. Examples include:

Prednisolone is also approved to treat juvenile RA in children.

Arthritis explained

Arthritis occurs when one or more joints become inflamed. There are many different types of arthritis, and the cause of each type can vary. Below are a few examples:

  • RA. This type of arthritis is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the immune system attacks the joints in your body, typically in your wrists, hands, and feet.
  • Juvenile RA. This form of RA occurs in children. It typically begins before age 16 years.
  • Psoriatic arthritis. Similar to RA, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the joints in your body. In addition to joint symptoms, psoriatic arthritis can cause a painful, itchy skin rash on your scalp, elbows, and knees.
  • Arthritis due to gout. This type of arthritis is typically caused by a high level of uric acid in the blood. It can lead to joint pain and stiffness, typically in your big toe.
  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis occurs when an accident or injury leads to the breakdown of tissues around your joints.

You can learn more by visiting our arthritis hub and RA hub.

Prednisolone for certain endocrine conditions

Prednisolone is FDA-approved to treat certain endocrine conditions in adults and children. Below are a few examples:

Endocrine conditions explained

Endocrine conditions occur when the endocrine system does not function correctly.

The endocrine system uses glands (organs) in your body to produce hormones. Endocrine disorders may cause your endocrine system to produce levels of hormones that are higher or lower than is typical. Examples of these hormones include testosterone, parathyroid hormone, and cortisol.

Your doctor can tell you more about endocrine disorders and how prednisolone is used to treat them.

Prednisolone for certain skin conditions

Prednisolone is FDA-approved to treat certain skin conditions in adults and children. Examples include:

Skin conditions explained

There are many different types of skin conditions, and the cause of each type can vary. A few examples include:

  • Psoriasis. This skin condition is thought to occur when the immune system attacks the skin. It can cause dry, painful, and itchy rashes on your skin.
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This is a rare, serious skin condition that’s often triggered by medications. It can cause fever and body ache along with a severe, painful rash.
  • Certain types of dermatitis. This condition occurs when the skin becomes inflamed. There are several types of dermatitis, including exfoliative dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.
    • Exfoliative dermatitis is when skin peeling and discoloration affect over 90% of the skin on your body.
    • Seborrheic dermatitis causes dandruff along with scaly patches and skin discoloration on the scalp.
  • Mycosis fungoides. This is a type of rare blood cancer that typically begins as a skin rash. Eventually, the rash may turn to crusty or scaly skin patches.

To learn more about skin conditions, visit our dermatology hub and psoriasis hub.

Prednisolone for other uses

Prednisolone is also FDA-approved to treat other conditions in adults and children. Below are a few examples:

Your doctor can tell you more about the conditions prednisolone is used for.

Prednisolone and children

Prednisolone is approved for many uses in children. Some of these conditions are described in the above sections:

  • “Prednisolone for certain types of arthritis”
  • “Prednisolone for certain endocrine conditions”
  • “Prednisolone for certain skin conditions”

Your child’s doctor can tell you more about the conditions prednisolone may be used for in children.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about prednisolone.

How does prednisolone compare with other steroids, such as methylprednisolone and dexamethasone?

Prednisolone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and dexamethasone (Hemady) are corticosteroids. They’re used to treat many conditions. A few examples include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and severe psoriasis.

Each medication comes as an oral tablet. Prednisolone and dexamethasone also come as an oral solution and in a form that’s applied to the eye. And methylprednisolone and dexamethasone also come in injectable forms.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how these medications compare, including their side effects, dosages, and more.

Could my doctor prescribe prednisolone for a cough, such as with COPD?

Possibly. Doctors won’t directly prescribe prednisolone to treat a cough. However, they may prescribe the drug for conditions that have a cough as a symptom.

For example, doctors may prescribe prednisolone for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is the sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, which may include cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Prednisolone has many approved uses. If you’re interested in taking this medication, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether the drug can be used for your condition.

What’s the half-life of prednisolone?

The half-life of prednisolone is about 2.6 hours. Half-life is the time it takes your body to get rid of half of a drug’s dose. For prednisolone, this means it takes about 2.6 hours for your body to get rid of half a dose.

A medication typically stays in your system for about five half-lives. So prednisolone stays in your system for about 13 hours.

If you have questions about how long prednisolone will stay in your system, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take Tylenol for pain relief during prednisolone treatment?

Yes, it’s likely safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with prednisolone. These medications aren’t known to interact.

Keep in mind that prednisolone can interact with pain relievers other than Tylenol. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). For more information about prednisolone’s interactions, see the “Prednisolone interactions” section below.

If you’re interested in treating pain while taking prednisolone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there any natural alternatives to prednisolone?

If you’re interested in natural alternatives to prednisolone, talk with your doctor.

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid that’s approved for many uses. (For more details, see the “Prednisolone uses” section above.) Your doctor can discuss natural supplements or other alternatives for your specific condition if there are any available.

You may wonder how prednisolone compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses, such as ulcerative colitis. To find out how prednisolone and prednisone are similar and different, see this article. Your doctor can help compare the drugs when they’re used to treat other conditions.

Keep reading to learn about prednisolone’s safety for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Prednisolone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether prednisolone is safe to take while pregnant. The drug hasn’t been studied* during pregnancy.

However, corticosteroids may cause side effects in children born to people who took the drug during pregnancy. (Prednisolone is a type of corticosteroid.) Side effects may include low birth weight, having cleft lip and cleft palate, and adrenal insufficiency.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking prednisolone, talk with your doctor. They’ll discuss the risks and benefits of prednisolone treatment with you.

* For more details about prednisolone and pregnancy, see the prescribing information for prednisolone oral tablets and oral solution.

Prednisolone and breastfeeding

Prednisolone passes into breast milk. However, it isn’t known for certain what effect the drug may have on a child who is breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking prednisolone.

Prednisolone and birth control

It’s not known whether prednisolone is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking prednisolone.

Keep in mind prednisolone may interact with certain birth control pills that contain estrogen. Your doctor can recommend a birth control option that doesn’t interact with prednisolone.

For more information about taking prednisolone during pregnancy, see the “Prednisolone and pregnancy” section above.

Prednisolone can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Prednisolone precautions” section below.

Prednisolone and other medications

Before taking prednisolone, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Below is a table of medications that can interact with prednisolone. This table does not contain all drugs that may interact with prednisolone.

Medication type or medication nameMedication examples
barbiturates• phenobarbital (Sezaby)
• butalbital
primidone (Mysoline)
cholinesterase inhibitors• pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol)
• neostigmine (Bloxiverz)
• rivastigmine (Exelon)
diureticshydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
furosemide (Furoscix, Lasix)
bumetanide (Bumex)
macrolide antibioticsazithromycin (Zithromax)
• erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, others)
clarithromycin
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsaspirin
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
estrogensbirth control pills
• conjugated estrogen (Premarin)
• esterified estrogen (Menest)
amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome)
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, others)
cholestyramine (Prevalite)
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, others)
digoxin (Lanoxin)
isoniazid
ketoconazole
phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
rifampin (Rimactane)
warfarin (Jantoven)

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with more information about the interactions between these medications and prednisolone. If you have questions about any drug interactions that may affect you, your doctor or pharmacist can address those as well.

Other interactions

Other types of interactions, such as those with herbs, supplements, foods, lab tests, and vaccines, may also occur with prednisolone. The following table lists some of these interactions.

Cause of interactionExamples
lab testsskin tests, such as a tuberculosis skin test
vaccines• toxoid vaccines, such as TDAP vaccine (Adacel, Boostrix)
• live vaccines, such as chickenpox and measles, mumps, rubella
• inactivated vaccines, such as hepatitis A and influenza (flu)

Your doctor can provide you with details about these interactions with prednisolone.

There is no known interaction between prednisolone and alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol while taking prednisolone could worsen any nausea you may have as a side effect of the drug. (For more information about side effects of the drug, see the “Prednisolone side effects” section above.)

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before taking prednisolone. They can recommend whether you should limit the amount of alcohol you consume.

You should take prednisolone according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Prednisolone comes in the following oral forms:

  • a tablet that you swallow
  • a solution that you swallow

When to take

Your doctor can advise you on the best time to take prednisolone. They’ll also tell you how often you should take this medication for your specific condition.

Your doctor may suggest alternate-day dosing if they think you’ll need to take prednisolone long term. With alternate-day dosing, you’ll take prednisolone every other day. This may help lower the risk of certain long-term side effects* that are possible with corticosteroid drugs, including prednisolone.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

* To learn more about long-term side effects of prednisolone, see the “Prednisolone side effects” section above.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist whether they can put prednisolone in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids.

Taking prednisolone with food

You’ll take prednisolone with food. Doing so may help relieve digestive side effects, such as nausea.

Can prednisolone be crushed, split, or chewed?

The manufacturer of prednisolone oral tablets has not stated whether it’s safe to crush, split, or chew the tablets.

If you have trouble swallowing prednisolone tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug comes with several precautions (warnings). These are known as drug-condition interactions.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors pertain to you, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking prednisolone.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of prednisolone, see the “Prednisolone side effects” section above.

Do not take more prednisolone than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much prednisolone

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

As with all medications, the cost of prednisolone can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. To learn more about the cost of prednisolone, see this article.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of prednisolone. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Before approving coverage for prednisolone, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for prednisolone, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

Financial assistance to help you pay for prednisolone may be available.

Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites offering resources that may help decrease the price you pay for prednisolone. They also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare, as well as educational resources. To learn more, visit their sites.

Mail-order pharmacies

Prednisolone may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of prednisolone, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

When you get prednisolone from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to take it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to take can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You’ll store prednisolone oral tablets and oral solution at a room temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) in a tightly sealed container. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take prednisolone and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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