What is prednisolone?
Prednisolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Prednisolone prevents the release of
substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Prednisolone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin
conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.
Prednisolone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prednisolone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to prednisolone, or if you have a
fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an
infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you
recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had
within the past several weeks.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
-
liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
-
kidney disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a history of malaria;
-
tuberculosis;
-
osteoporosis;
-
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
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glaucoma or cataracts;
-
herpes infection of the eyes;
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stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
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depression or mental illness;
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congestive heart failure; or
-
high blood pressure
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether prednisolone is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
Prednisolone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not
growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
How should I take prednisolone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness,
fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such
situation that affects you.
Measure the liquid form of prednisolone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Keep the disintegrating tablet (Orapred ODT) in its blister pack until you are ready to take the
medicine. Open the package using dry hands, and peel back the foil from the tablet blister (do not push
the tablet through the foil). Remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.
Allow the disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several
times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
Steroids can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who
treats you that you are using prednisolone.
Do not stop using prednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in
case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should
know that you are taking steroid medication.
Store prednisolone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of prednisolone?
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for
instructions.
Where can I get more information about prednisolone?
Your pharmacist has information about prednisolone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of prednisolone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
problems with your vision;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
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severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
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bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
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pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
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low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme
thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
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dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
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sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
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acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
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slow wound healing;
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increased sweating;
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headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
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nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or
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changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in
your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about prednisolone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to prednisolone, or if you have a
fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Before taking prednisolone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all
other medicines you are using.
There are many other diseases that can be affected by
steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious
illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any
such situation that affects you during treatment.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection
or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or
infection you have had within the past several weeks.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking prednisolone. Vaccines may not work as
well while you are taking a steroid.
Do not stop using prednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in
case of emergency.
What should I avoid while taking prednisolone?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with prednisolone. Vaccines may
not work as well while you are taking a steroid.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking prednisolone.
What other drugs will affect prednisolone?
There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Below
is only a partial list of these medicines:
-
aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
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cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
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insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
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seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
prednisolone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of prednisolone?
