Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are They Used For?How Do They Work?Comparing DosagesManaging InflammationSide Effects & PrecautionsInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are They Used For?
How Do They Work?
Comparing Dosages
Managing Inflammation
Side Effects & Precautions
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
While they are very similar, prednisone and prednisolone are not the same.
They are bothcorticosteroidmedications, also called glucocorticoids or, simply, steroids.
Steroids are used to treat inflammation in manyautoimmune diseases, such asasthma,rheumatoid arthritis, andinflammatory bowel disease.
The list of available corticosteroids is long, and many different dosage forms are available.
Prednisone and prednisolone are similar but have some critical differences discussed in this article.
Corticosteroid medication.Shidlovski / Getty Images
Shidlovski / Getty Images
What Are Prednisone and Prednisolone Used For?
Steroids like prednisolone and prednisone are used to treat numerous medical conditions that cause the following:
Some common uses for prednisone include the following:
How Do Prednisolone and Prednisone Work?
Prednisolone and prednisone are both synthetic (manufactured) versions of the hormonecortisol.
Prednisone and prednisolone are highly similar, but prednisone is a prodrug.
This means after you swallow it, your liver alters the chemical structure a tiny bit to change it into prednisolone.
Prednisolone causes the following effects.
How Do the Dosages Compare for Prednisolone and Prednisone?
What Other Things Can I Do to Help Manage Inflammation in the Body?
Inflammation is essential in the body for some purposes and for short times. Examples include the following:
However,chronic inflammationis not beneficial.
Finally, other drugs besides steroids exist that reduce inflammation and include the following:
Depending on your condition and medical history, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these options instead of or in addition to steroid medications.
Prednisone and prednisolone causesimilar side effectsas many other corticosteroid drugs.
Side effects are dose-related, meaning they are more likely to occur if you take a higher dose.
They’re also more likely if you take steroids long-term.
It is a best practice to take the lowest dose you need for the shortest time.
Side effects may include:
If taken long-term, over months to years, prednisone or prednisolone can potentially cause more severe side effects.
If you’re experiencing any of the following side effects, inform your healthcare provider immediately:
Interactions For Prednisolone and Prednisone
Prednisolone and prednisone have very similar drug interactions. Some of these include:
If you’ve been prescribed prednisolone or prednisone, ensure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about all the medications and supplements you take, as some adjustments may need to be made.
Summary
The drugs have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which help treat many autoimmune diseases.
The list of possible side effects is quite long, so using the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time is ideal.
Prednisolone may be a preferred option if you have moderate to severeliver disease. This is because your liver is required to convert prednisone into its working form, prednisolone.
Prednisone and prednisolone are mid-strength steroids, similar in potency to methylprednisolone. They are stronger than cortisone and hydrocortisone and weaker than dexamethasone.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Becker DE.Basic and clinical pharmacology of glucocorticosteroids.Anesth Prog. 2013;60(1):25-31. doi:10.2344/0003-3006-60.1.25
Food and Drug Administration.Prednisone prescribing information.
Food and Drug Administration.Prednisolone Prescribing Information.
UpToDate.Comparison of systemic glucocorticoid preparations.
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