Prednisolone
2 medicines
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid used for asthma attacks, severe allergies, autoimmune flares and other inflammatory conditions; after more than a few weeks of use it must be tapered off gradually, never stopped abruptly, to avoid a dangerous adrenal crisis.
Key facts
- Prednisolone is a corticosteroid, a man-made version of the natural hormone cortisol, that reduces inflammation and dampens an overactive immune system.
- It is usually taken once daily with food, as tablets or liquid; short courses may last only days, while some conditions need months or years of treatment.
- After more than a few weeks of use, never stop prednisolone abruptly. Your adrenal glands slow their own cortisol production during treatment, and sudden withdrawal can trigger a life-threatening adrenal crisis. Your doctor will taper the dose down gradually.
- Seek urgent care for signs of infection, black or bloody stools, or severe mood changes.
What prednisolone treats
Prednisolone treats asthma and other flare-ups of airway inflammation, severe allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), eye inflammation such as uveitis, and inflammatory skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis flares. It is also used alongside other treatments for certain blood cancers.
How prednisolone works
Prednisolone enters cells and binds to glucocorticoid receptors, changing which genes are switched on and off. This reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals and calms overactive immune cells, which lessens swelling, redness, pain, and immune-driven tissue damage throughout the body.
Before you take it
- Tell your prescriber if you have an untreated infection, since prednisolone can suppress the immune response and mask fever, making infections harder to detect and worse.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, glaucoma, peptic ulcers, and mood disorders can all worsen with prednisolone and need closer monitoring.
- Avoid live vaccines while taking high-dose or long-term prednisolone, since a suppressed immune response can make them less safe and less effective.
- In pregnancy or while breastfeeding, prednisolone is used only when the benefit outweighs the risk, decided individually with your doctor.
Side effects
Common effects include increased appetite and weight gain, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, indigestion, raised blood sugar, and thinner skin that bruises more easily.
Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:
- Signs of infection: fever, chills, or a persistent cough.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding that does not stop.
- Sudden vision changes or eye pain.
- Severe mood changes, confusion, or thoughts of self-harm.
Safety essentials
- Never stop prednisolone abruptly after more than a few weeks of use, or after repeated short courses. Your adrenal glands need time to restart their own cortisol production, and abrupt withdrawal can cause adrenal crisis: extreme weakness, low blood pressure, and vomiting.
- Long-term use raises blood sugar, weakens bone, and increases infection risk, so extended treatment needs regular checks of blood glucose, bone density, and blood pressure.
- Carry a steroid treatment card or alert if you are on long-term treatment, so medical staff know you need extra steroid cover during illness, injury, or surgery.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.