Prednisolone
Also sold as: Deltacortril, Wysolone
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor and depends on the illness; a common adult dose is 5 to 60 mg once a day in the morning with food. After more than 3 weeks of use, do not stop suddenly — the dose must be lowered slowly as your doctor advises.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- increased appetite and weight gain
- mood changes
- trouble sleeping
- stomach irritation
- high blood sugar
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- black stools or vomiting blood
- signs of serious infection (fever
- chills)
- severe mood change
- blurred vision
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Untreated serious infection (including active TB) unless a doctor is treating it
- Live vaccines during high-dose treatment
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcer, glaucoma or osteoporosis (use with caution)
- Do not stop suddenly after long use
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate15 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aspirin
Steroids with aspirin raise the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
- Biphasic isophane insulin 30/70
Steroids raise blood sugar; the insulin dose may need to be increased.
- Furosemide
Both can lower potassium; potassium levels may need checking.
- Glibenclamide
Steroids raise blood sugar and reduce the effect of glibenclamide.
- Gliclazide
Steroids raise blood sugar and reduce the effect of gliclazide.
- Ibuprofen
Steroids with NSAIDs raise the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
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- Insulin aspart
Steroids raise blood sugar; the insulin dose may need to be increased.
- Insulin glargine
Steroids raise blood sugar; the insulin dose may need to be increased.
- Insulin isophane (NPH)
Steroids raise blood sugar; the insulin dose may need to be increased.
- Insulin soluble (regular)
Steroids raise blood sugar; the insulin dose may need to be increased.
- Levofloxacin
Steroids raise the risk of tendon damage and rupture with fluoroquinolones.
- Metformin
Steroids raise blood sugar and can reduce the effect of metformin; sugar should be checked more often.
- Ofloxacin
Steroids raise the risk of tendon damage and rupture with fluoroquinolones.
- Rabies vaccine
Steroids can weaken the immune response to the vaccine; antibody levels may need checking.
- Rifampicin
Rifampicin makes prednisolone work less well; the dose may need to be increased.