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Prednisolone

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If you have been taking prednisolone for a long time (more than 3 weeks), never stop treatment suddenly. Speak to your doctor who will advise on a gradual reduction.
If you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chicken pox (or suspects they might have them) you must see your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have been given a steroid treatment card, carry it with you at all times.

About prednisolone

Type of medicine	Corticosteroid
Used for	To help control inflammatory and allergic conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and colitis
Also called	Deltacortril Deltastab Prednesol
Available as	Tablets Soluble tablets Injection

Certain cells in the body release chemicals which cause inflammation. Prednisolone works by stopping the release of these chemicals, therefore reducing inflammation.

Before taking prednisolone

Before taking prednisolone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from adrenal suppression.
If you have ever suffered from tuberculosis (TB).
If you have high blood pressure.
If you have had a heart attack.
If you have liver, kidney or heart problems.
If you or anyone in your family has diabetes mellitus or glaucoma.
If you suffer from osteoporosis (weakened bones).
If you suffer from hypothyroidism.
If you have any problems with your eyes.
If you suffer from mental health problems.
If you suffer from epilepsy.
If you have had a stomach ulcer.
If you have ever experienced muscle pain after taking steroids.
If you have had, or are about to have any vaccinations.
If you are currently unwell.
If you or anyone you are in close contact with has chickenpox.

How to take prednisolone

Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.
Take prednisolone with or after food.
The dose of prednisolone, when taken by mouth, may consist of several tablets, and may need to be taken all at once in the morning.
If you have been prescribed soluble prednisolone you must dissolve or mix it in water before taking.
If you have been prescribed enteric-coated prednisolone you must swallow it whole, not chewed or crushed.
If you have been taking prednisolone for a long time (more than 3 weeks), never stop treatment suddenly. Speak to your doctor who will advise on a gradual reduction.

Getting the most from your treatment

Long courses of prednisolone can make you more likely to catch infections, therefore if you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chicken pox (or suspects they might have them) you must see your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have been given a steroid treatment card, carry it with you at all times. This is a blue card with details about dose, duration of treatment, who prescribed it, and guidance on minimising risk.

Before having any kind of medical treatment or surgery, including dental or emergency treatment or any medical tests, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking prednisolone and show them your treatment card.

While taking prednisolone do not have any vaccinations without speaking to your doctor first.

You should avoid taking indigestion remedies at the same time as enteric-coated prednisolone.

Can prednisolone cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling sick or indigestion	Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Abdominal pain	Eat little and often. Avoid wearing clothes with tight waistbands.
Increased appetite	Try to maintain a well-balanced diet. If you notice weight gain, speak to your doctor.
Dizziness, difficulty sleeping	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Tiredness	Speak to your doctor if this is persistent.
Oral thrush	You will need to see your doctor who may prescribe some lozenges for you.

Long term use of high doses of prednisolone may cause Cushing's syndrome with moon face (red, puffy and round), stretch marks, and acne; thinning of the bones or skin and overgrowth of hair. These usually return to normal once the treatment has been stopped.
Prednisolone may cause mood or behaviour changes - speak to your doctor if you notice any worrying changes.

How to store prednisolone

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference
Manufacturer's PIL, Deltacortril® enteric coated tablets, Alliance Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Text revised April 2007, accessed November 2007.
British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 1473

DocRef: dils2712

Last Reviewed: 21 Nov 2007

Version: 25

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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