Generic
Prednisolone
Pharmacology
Prednisolone is a synthetic adrenocortical drug with predominantly glucocorticoid properties. Prednisolone directly inhibits the action of the Phospholipase A2 enzyme which is responsible for the production of different inflammatory mediators like Leukotrienes, SRS-A, Prostaglandins etc. Prednisolone is rapidly and well absorbed from the Gl tract following oral administration. Prednisolone is 70- 90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. It is metabolized mainly in the liver and excreted in 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.
Contraindications
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.
Side Effects
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. It should only be used if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Corticosteroids appear in breast milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production or cause other unwanted effects.
Pregnancy And Lactation
Adverse effects related to prednisone normally develop only after prolonged use of doses in excess of the normal physiological requirement. Treatment is symptomatic and where possible the prednisone dose should be reduced gradually.
Therapeutic
Glucocorticoids
Over The Counter Products
