Generic

Prednisolone

Indications

• Psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis are all examples of rheumatic diseases.
• Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, and cancer-associated hypercalcemia are all examples of endocrine disorders.
• Pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, and severe psoriasis are examples of dermatological diseases.
• Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, and medication hypersensitivity reactions are all examples of allergic states.
• Symptomatic sarcoidosis, berylliosis, fulminating, aspiration pneumonitis are all respiratory diseases.
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, secondary thrombocytopenia, acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, and erythroblastopenia are all hematologic disorders (RBC anemia).
• Edematous States: To cause diuresis or proteinuria remission in nephrotic syndrome without uremia, whether idiopathic or owing to lupus erythematosus.
• Ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis are two gastrointestinal diseases.

Pharmacology

Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid-like synthetic adrenocortical medication. Prednisolone inhibits the Phospholipase A2 enzyme, which is responsible for the generation of inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes, SRS-A, and prostaglandins. Following oral ingestion, prednisolone is swiftly and thoroughly absorbed from the Gl tract. Prednisolone is 70-90 percent protein-bound in the plasma and has a half-life of 2 to 4 hours before it is removed. It is primarily processed in the liver and eliminated through the urine.

Dosage & Administration

Adult-
Nephrotic Syndrome:

• Initial: 2 mg/kg/day (maximum 80 mg/day) in divided doses 3 to 4 times/day until urine is protein free for 3 consecutive days (maximum: 28 days); followed by 1 to 1.5 mg/kg/dose given every other day for 4 weeks.
• Maintenance dose: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/ dose given every other day for 3 to 6 months.

Anti-inflammatory: 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses 1 to 4 times/day.

Acute Asthma: 40-60 mg/day PO in single daily dose or divided q12 hr for 3-10 days.

Allergic Conditions:

• Day 1: 10 mg PO before breakfast, 5 mg after lunch and after dinner, and 10 mg at bedtime.
• Day 2: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner and 10 mg at bedtime.
• Day 3: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
• Day 4: 5 mg PO before breakfast, after lunch, and at bedtime.
• Day 5: 5 mg PO before breakfast and at bedtime.
• Day 6: 5 mg PO before breakfast.

Pediatric-
Asthma:

• 1 year: Acute: 10 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 10 mg orally every other day.
• 1 to 4 years: Acute: 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 20 mg orally every other day.
• 5 to 12 years: Acute: 30 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 30 mg orally every other day.
• 12 years: Acute: 40 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance: 40 mg orally every other day.

Anti-inflammatory: 0.05 to 2 mg/kg/day divided 1 to 4 times/day.

Immunosuppression: 0.05 to 2 mg/kg/day divided 1 to 4 times/day.

Interaction

Aminoglutethimide, Antacids, Barbiturates, Carbamazepine, Griseofulvin, Mitotane, Phenylbutazone, Phenytoin, Primidone, and Rifampin all impair the efficacy of prednisolone. Prednisolone lowers potassium levels in the blood. If hypokalemia occurs, digitalis can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Immunization should be done with extreme caution.

Contraindications

Unless appropriate anti-infective therapy is used, systemic infections will occur. Any component can cause hypersensitivity. Because of the possibility of perforation, ocular herpes simplex.

Side Effects

Common side effects include increased appetite, indigestion, nervousness or restlessness. Less frequent or rare side effects are darkening or lightening of skin color, dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing of face or cheeks, hiccups, increased sweating, the sensation of spinning.

Pregnancy & Lactation

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor thinks it's very necessary. Only if the predicted benefit to the mother outweighs any potential harm to the foetus should it be utilized. Corticosteroids are found in breast milk and have the potential to inhibit growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid synthesis, and have other undesirable effects.

Precautions & Warnings

Diabetes, hypertension, psychological disorders, osteoporosis, postmenopausal women, pregnancy, and chronic nephritis all require vigilance. Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, muscle weakness, increased susceptibility to infection, delayed wound healing, and psychological disorders are all possible side effects of long-term Prednisolone use.

Therapeutic Class

Glucocorticoids

Storage Conditions

Keep the temperature below 30°C and away from light and moisture. Keep out of children's reach.