Prednisone and prednisolone are similar drugs and typically treat a host of conditions, including autoimmune conditions, blood disorders, or even certain cancers.
Many different kinds of drugs are available for certain conditions. The treatment your doctor prescribes for you often depends on the severity of your symptoms.
Two drugs you may hear about are prednisone and prednisolone. (A third drug, methylprednisolone, is stronger than both and should not be confused with prednisolone.) Here’s the rundown on what these drugs, including how they’re alike and how they’re different.
Prednisone and prednisolone both belong to a class of drugs called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation throughout your body. They do this by interfering with the way certain chemicals in your body cause inflammation.
Prednisone and prednisolone work by lowering the immune system’s activity, slowing its response to injury. They can help ease symptoms like swelling and inflammation.
Healthcare professionals use these drugs to manage and treat certain conditions, such as:
- lupus
- asthma
- rashes
- certain types of arthritis
- ulcerative colitis
- kidney disorders
- blood disorders
- certain cancers
They may also be used after organ transplantation to suppress the immune system so that the body doesn’t reject the new organ.
Prednisone and prednisolone are very similar drugs. The following table compares the similarities and differences of several features of these two drugs.
| Prednisone | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| What are the brand-name versions? | Deltasone, PredniSONE Intensol, Rayos | Millipred |
| Is a generic version available? | yes | yes |
| What is it used for? | ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory diseases, severe allergies, blood disorders, skin conditions | ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory diseases, allergies, blood disorders, skin diseases, infections, certain cancers |
| Do I need a prescription? | yes | yes |
| What forms and strengths does it come in? | oral tablet, delayed-release tablet, oral solution, oral solution concentrate | oral tablet, oral disintegrating tablet, oral solution, oral suspension, oral syrup |
| What’s the typical length of treatment? | short term | short term |
| Is there a risk of withdrawal? | yes* | yes* |
*Do not stop taking this drug without talking with your doctor. You’ll need to taper off the drug slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Prednisolone and prednisone cost about the same. Both drugs come in generic and brand-name versions. Like all drugs, the generic versions usually cost less.
However, not all generics are available in the same forms or strengths as the brand-name versions. Ask your healthcare professional if it’s necessary for you to take the brand-name strength or form.
Most pharmacies stock the generic versions of both prednisone and prednisolone. The brand-name versions aren’t always stocked, so call ahead before you fill your prescription if you take a brand-name version.
Most insurance plans also cover both prednisone and prednisolone. However, your insurance company may require prior authorization from your doctor before they approve the prescription and cover the payment.
These drugs are from the same drug class and work in a similar way. Because of this, the side effects of prednisone and prednisolone are also similar. However, they do differ in a couple of ways. Prednisone may cause your mood to change and may make you feel depressed. Prednisolone may cause convulsions.
Some side effects of the drugs include:
- headaches
- changes in mood
- slowed healing of cuts and bruises
- acne
- fatigue
- dizziness
- changes in appetite
- weight gain
- swelling (face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet)
The following drugs interact with both prednisolone and prednisone:
- anti-seizure drugs such as phenobarbital and phenytoin
- rifampin, which treats tuberculosis
- ketoconazole, which treats fungal infections
- aspirin
- blood thinners such as warfarin
- all live vaccines
If you have conditions other, make sure your doctor knows about them. Both prednisone and prednisolone can make certain existing conditions worse. These include:
- hypothyroidism
- cirrhosis
- herpes simplex of the eye
- emotional problems
- mental illness
- ulcers
- kidney problems
- high blood pressure
- osteoporosis
- myasthenia gravis
- tuberculosis
Prednisone and prednisolone have more similarities than differences. The biggest differences between these drugs are the other drugs they interact with.
Give your doctor a complete list of the drugs and supplements that you take. This may be some of the best information you can give to your doctor to help them decide between these two drugs for treating your condition.
Prednisone and prednisolone are similar drugs. However, there may be differences in how they both interact with other medications you might be taking. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any prescription medications.
They can recommend whether prednisone or prednisolone is a better option for your specific condition.
