Prednisolone is the name of a steroid used to help manage allergies, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and to help treat certain types of cancer. With doctor instruction it can be used in any age.

Though very similar in name and action, Prednisolone should not be confused with Prednisone. The two products are interchangeable in most ways, but dosage may differ and they do produce some differing side effects. In some conditions one product is preferred over the other.

Conditions Treated

Prednisolone is typically prescribed in moderate to severe cases, as it's a potent medication that can produce serious side effects. It should also not be used long-term, as doing so can produce even more side effects.

That said, common uses for Prednisolone include:

• Rheumatic disorders
• Moderate to severe allergic conditions
• Many respiratory conditions
• Certain eye diseases
• Certain skin conditions
• Endocrine disorders
• Collagen conditions
• Certain blood diseases
• Certain nervous system disorders
• Some gastrointestinal diseases
• Certain cancer treatments

In simple terms, Prednisolone inhibits inflammation. It also inhibits immune system activity; patients will be more susceptible to infection during treatment. While it is not a painkiller per se, patients often experience considerable pain relief as inflammation subsides.

Inflammation can occur for a wide range of reasons; infection (for which one should not take Prednisolone), allergic reaction (including asthma), injury, or an overactive immune system. Reducing the inflammation often helps injuries heal as well as alleviating symptoms.

Note that Prednisolone is not a cure for anything; it simply minimizes symptoms and allows the body to recover naturally.

Taking Prednisolone

Prednisolone comes in tablets. Dosage varies between 1 mg to 80 mg per day, with 5 mg to 60 mg doses being average.

Tablets may be taken once per day, two or more times per day, or, rarely, every other day or every third day. It depends on the condition being treated, variables personal to a given patient, and patient response. For example, one individual may be prescribed 5 mg Prednisolone per day for asthma, while another may take 20 mg per day for asthma. With such variability it is impossible to summarize dosage or duration of treatment.

Duration of treatment is equally variable; again one person with asthma may take Prednisolone for one week, while another patient with asthma may take it for three weeks. In general Prednisolone is used to treat short-term flare-ups, such as a severe asthma attack or a severe bout of arthritis; in these cases treatment typically lasts a few days to a few weeks maximum. In other cases treatment may be longer, spanning months or years, though this is rare and in these cases treatment is usually not daily.

Note that in children regular, long-term use of any steroid product can lead to permanent side effects, such as stunted growth. If treating a child for more than a few days, every-other-day administration may be advisable.

Effects are usually noticeable very quickly, within hours or a day or two of starting treatment. It may take several days or weeks of use for full effects to be felt. Some patients feel energized while using prednisolone, or have feelings of well-being. These effects are very mild compared to other drugs, however, and are unlikely to be addictive.

Treatment with Prednisolone should not end abruptly; dosage should be gradually tapered down over several days. A doctor should provide discontinuation instructions when the medication is prescribed.

Potential Complications

One of the bigger concerns with prednisolone, particularly if used for more than a few days, is its suppression of the immune system. Patients will become more susceptible to getting sick, and recovery may be significantly impaired. For the duration of treatment patients should:

• Try to avoid circumstances in which an infection may be acquired--avoid contact with sick people, people who have recently had live-virus vaccinations, and so forth;
• Make sure even minor wounds are promptly cleaned and dressed properly;
• Wash hands frequently;
• Notify doctors or dentists of prednisolone use before having any procedures done;
• Be alert for symptoms of infection---fever, chills, coughing, diarrhea, painful urination, pain, seepage or swelling at an injury site, and so forth;
• If an infection is suspected, it should be promptly brought to the attention of a doctor.

More commonly side effects are mild and not cause for concern, including increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, fluid retention in the face, hands, or feet, mild weight gain and mild stomach upset. If these symptoms become severe, seek medical attention.

Prednisolone is a catabolic steroid, rather than an anabolic steroid, and as such offers no benefit as a performance-enhancing drug.