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 or pharmacist.
Important Safety Information
This service operates under German pharmaceutical law (HWG). For risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and consult your doctor or pharmacist. All medications are dispensed from a licensed pharmacy in Germany.