Buy Prednisolone (Omnipred/Prednisone)

Prednisolone is a steroid medication similar to cortisol, a hormone from the glucocorticoid class produced by the adrenal cortex. It is used in the treatment of various diseases, has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-shock properties.

Prednisolone was developed and approved for medical use in 1955. In 2019, it was the 27th most commonly prescribed medication with estimated 22,8 million annual prescriptions in the United States. Effective and affordable, prednisolone is included in the WHO`s list of essential medicines. It is an emergency drug for anaphylaxis and allergies, a medicine for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s and Burkitt’s lymphomas, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, follicular lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. According to new research, the drug is active against many other diseases: asthma, urticaria, and multiple sclerosis colitis.

Prednisolone is well studied and has been used in medical practice for over 65 years. There are thousands of clinical studies showing its various properties.

Mechanism of action

Glucocorticoids got their name for maintaining a stable blood glucose level. In addition, they are involved in fat and protein metabolism, increase gastric secretion, etc. Their ability to inhibit the inflammatory and immune response is particularly important for medicinal use. The ability of glucocorticoids to suppress the inflammatory response is widely known. Their use is mainly based on this property. Glucocorticoids inhibit the accumulation of leukocytes in areas of inflammation but stimulate the release from leukocytes of substances involved in the inflammatory reactions.

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Indications of Prednisolone

Prednisolone is indicated:

  • to provide emergency care for thermal, traumatic, transfusion, infectious, and toxic shock
  • in endocrinology: for primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, nonpurulent thyroiditis
  • in rheumatology: for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
  • in dermatology: for severe polymorphic erythema, exfoliative dermatitis,
  • severe allergic diseases resistant to antihistamine therapy, contact, and atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, drug allergy, transfusion reactions, acute laryngeal edema of non-infectious etiology
  • in hematology: acute and chronic leukemia
  • in neurology: with multiple sclerosis
  • in transplantology: to suppress the rejection reaction
  • in children: allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis; laryngitis, laryngotracheitis; severe forms of bronchial asthma.

Dosage and administration of Prednisolone

Dosing is set individually depending on the body’s response, symptoms, the severity of the disease, and possible side effects. It is strictly forbidden to change the dose without the doctor’s supervision. Most of the dose (⅔) or the entire dose should be taken in the morning, around 8 am, and 1/3 in the evening.

For adults, in acute conditions and as replacement therapy, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 20–30 mg/day with a gradual transition to a maintenance daily dose of 5–10 mg. If necessary, the initial dose may be 15–100 mg/day, and the maintenance dose may be 5–15 mg/day. For children, the initial dose of the drug is 1–2 mg/kg/day distributed over 4–6 doses, and the maintenance dose is 300–600 mcg/kg/day. The tablets are taken orally, without chewing, and with a small amount of liquid. Treatment is stopped slowly with gradual dose reduction. Patients taking prednisolone should have a balanced diet high in protein, low in carbohydrates and salt.

Side effects

The side effects of prednisolone are varied and can be possibly severe. One should weigh all the risks before taking the drug. Side effects do not appear in everyone and usually are associated with the dosage and the duration of use.

Insomnia and mood changes (euphoria, depression). The drug can be taken in the morning to reduce the risk of insomnia.

Increased appetite and weight gain. Prednisolone stimulates appetite and can lead to weight gain, therefore, patients are advised to develop an individual meal schedule.

Susceptibility to infections. Prednisolone suppresses the immune system and reduces the body’s resistance to infections. It is recommended to avoid contact with people suffering from infectious diseases.

Digestive system. Prednisolone can cause indigestion, burning, or stomach ulcers. The drug can be taken with food and dairy products. Taking the medication on an empty stomach is contraindicated.

The cardiovascular system. Prednisolone can cause an increase in blood pressure.

Hyperglycemia and diabetes. Prednisolone can cause an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, or even exacerbation of the disease. It is strictly forbidden to change the dose of the drug on your own.

Skin and appearance. Possible changes in skin pigmentation, delayed wound healing, skin thinning, increased sweating, swelling of the face.

Musculoskeletal system. As a result of calcium deficiency, the risk of developing osteoporosis and increased fragility of the bones of the skeleton increases. With long-term treatment with prednisolone, it is additionally recommended to take vitamin D and calcium-rich foods.

Vision. There is a risk of developing glaucoma or cataracts. Regular visits to the eye doctor will help to diagnose and prevent the disease in time.

Prednisolone Contraindications

The drug is not prescribed to:

  • Patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance (prednisolone);
  • Patients who have been diagnosed with severe fungal infections that are actively developing due to a weakened immune system.
  • Severe hypertension, Cushing’s disease, stage III circulatory failure, acute endocarditis (inflammation of the internal cavities of the heart), psychosis, nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, recent surgeries, syphilis, active tuberculosis, old age.

Pregnant women are prescribed prednisolone only if necessary. Prednisolone is prescribed for diabetes mellitus with caution and only according to absolute indications. In infectious diseases, the drug should be used only in combination with antibiotics.

Drug interactions

Simultaneous use of prednisolone and some substances can have the following consequences:

  • Antihistamines weaken the effect of prednisone
  • Sodium-containing drugs increase the risk of edema and increased blood pressure
  • Cardiac glycosides increase risk of cardiac arrhythmias
  • Barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin, carbamazepine), and rifampicin accelerate the metabolism of glucocorticoids, weaken their action
  • Paracetamol increases the risk of hepatotoxicity
  • Thiazide diuretics, amphotericin B, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increase the risk of severe hypokalemia
  • Oral contraceptives containing estrogens may enhance the therapeutic and toxic effects of prednisone
  • Prednisolone weakens the hypoglycemic effect of oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin
  • Immunosuppressants increase the risk of infection, lymphoma, and other lymphoproliferative diseases
  • NSAIDs, acetylsalicylic acid, and alcohol increase the risk of developing a peptic ulcer and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.

The information provided on this page is not complete. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.