What is prednisolone?
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid (cortisone preparation) with strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action. It is used in pain treatments when a pronounced inflammatory component is present.
In the field of pain therapy, prednisolone is mainly used for a short time in acute inflammatory strokes, for example in gout attacks, rheumatic strokes, severe nerve root irritations (disk incident) or activated osteoarthritis.
Prednisolone has an approximately 4-fold stronger anti-inflammatory effect than hydrocortisone and is the most commonly used oral glucocorticoid in Germany.
Active Ingredients & Mechanism of Action
Active ingredient: Prednisolon
Prednisolone acts via glucocorticoid receptors:
Active mechanism:
- Binding to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors
- Inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines)
- Suppresses the immune reaction
- Stabilizes cell membranes and reduces swelling
Wirkprofil:
- Stark anti-inflammatory: stronger than any NSAR
- Immunsuppressive: Suppressed overshooting immune responses
- Antiallergic: Inhibits allergic reactions
- Swelling: Reduces edema and tissue swelling
Pharmacokinetics:
- Effective entry: 1–2 hours
- Biological half-life: 12–36 hours
- metabolized in the liver
Who is it suitable for?
Prednisolone is used in pain:
- Akutem gout attack
- Rheumatic pupils
- nerve root irritation (disk incident)
- Activated osteoarthritis with inflammation
- Strong inflammatory reactions of the locomotor
- shoulder pain (Frozen Shoulder, Tendinitis)
Short-time application preferred:
- Shock therapy for a few days
- Leaning down with longer use
**Not suitable as permanent medication at:* *
- Easy pain without inflammation
- Arthrosis without active inflammatory component
Available Dosages
Tablets:
- 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg
Short-term therapy in pain (examples):
- Acute gout attack: 30–35 mg/day for 5 days
- Disc nervous root irritation: 60–80 mg, exceeding 1–2 weeks
- Reduce rheumatic thrust: 20–40 mg/day, step by step
Important:
- Take in the morning (cortisol natural rhythm)
- at > 5 days
How to Take
Intake:
- Morning after breakfast (refer to daily rhythm)
- Take tablets with water
- Take for food (better gastric compatibility)
Stoßtherapie (short time):
- High dose for a few days
- Abrupt deposit usually possible at < 5 days
Slip-off (at > 1 week):
- Reduce dose gradually
- Don't drop abruptly (rename failure!)
- Let the doctor specify the scheme
Important notes:
- Don't stand alone or change dose
- For long-term use: stomach protection, vitamin D, calcium
Contraindications
**For short-term applications only a few absolute contraindications:* *
- hypersensitivity to prednisolone
- Systemic fungal infections
For long-term use, be careful with:
- Diabetes mellitus (blood sugar rises)
- osteoporosis
- Gastric ulcers
- Heavy infections
- Glaucoma
- Psychological diseases
pregnant: With strict indication possible. Prednisolone is partially inactivated in the placenta and is regarded as a preferred corticoid in pregnancy.
Possible Side Effects
For short-term use (< 2 weeks) usually well tolerated.
Possible side effects:
- Sleep disorders
- Mood changes (euphory or irritation)
- Increased appetite
- Increase in blood sugar
- Gastric complaints
For long-term use (> 4 weeks):
- Cushing Syndrome (Mond face, tribal fat addiction)
- osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Muscle weaknesses
- Skin changes (thin skin, bruises)
- Infectiousness
- Subsequent insufficiency when decommissioning
** For short-term use in the pain range, the risk of side effects is low.
Interactions
Enforcement of action:
- NSAR (increased GI bleeding risk)
- Anticoagulants (blood risk)
Sustainability of:
- Oral antidiabetics and insulin (blood sugar rises)
- Antihypertensive (blood pressure can rise)
Increased prednisolone degradation by:
- Rifampicin
- Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
- Barbiturate
Increased prednisolone level by:
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Oral contraceptives
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar Medications
Is prednisolone right for you?
A licensed doctor will review your information and issue a prescription if suitable. Discreet and secure.
Important Notice
This information does not replace medical advice. If you have questions about your health or the suitability of this medication, please consult a doctor. Read the package leaflet before use.