- August 15, 2023
- By Dr. Sarah Thompson, PharmD
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine frequently prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress excessive immune activity in conditions such as severe allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory skin diseases, and certain joint or intestinal conditions, with the dose and duration selected according to the illness being treated and the patient’s response to therapy.
Because its effects extend beyond the immediate symptoms, Prednisolone is usually used under medical supervision, particularly when treatment continues for more than a short period.
Since 1955, Prednisolone has been consistently and reliably used to combat inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses. Many individuals believe that this is an extremely harmful medicine and are hesitant to accept treatment with it. Prednisolone, though, is regarded as the obligatory medicine of first choice in the treatment of certain disorders.
This is a tried-and-true medication. Prednisolone has been the subject of hundreds of clinical researches and is on the WHO list of important and essential medications.
Indications
Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid hormone that has been synthesized. This hormone is typically naturally released by adrenal glands and is vital for proper body functioning.
Prednisolone has a complex effect: anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, desensitizing, anti-shock, and immunosuppressive. It reduces the permeability of capillaries, which prevents the formation of edema, increases blood sugar, and affects water-salt levels.
This medication has a fairly wide range of indications, namely:
- systemic connective tissue diseases;
- acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints;
- bronchial asthma;
- acute and chronic allergic;
- hypoglycemic conditions;
- hepatitis;
- blood diseases;
- for the prevention and elimination of nausea; vomiting during cytostatic therapy.
Forms of Prednisolone
The typical form is tablets. However, one can also come across an ointment with Prednisolone from Canadian Pharmacy Spot as an active substance that is applied to areas of inflammation.
Inhalations with Prednisolone can be used for dealing with inflammatory disease of the throat. It is also used for throat tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis, bronchial and lung tumors, anaphylactic shock, and bronchial asthma.
Popular Dosages: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
The treatment plan is selected exclusively based on individual health issues and state. In acute conditions, the initial dose is 20-30 mg/day, while the maintenance dose is 5-10 mg/day. For children, the dose is notably lower. It is 1-2 mg/kg/day and split into 4 to 6 smaller doses throughout the day. A maintenance dose would be 300-600 mcg/kg/day.
The tablets are swallowed whole without being chewed with plenty of enough water. The recommended time of admission is from six to eight in the morning (this is the maximum peak in the release of endogenous, that is, the body’s own hormone).
Important! When the treatment is over, the dosage should be reduced gradually to prevent severe manifestations of the discontinuation symptoms.
Prescription Requirements for This Medication in Canada
A U.S. prescription for Prednisolone does not move directly from an online order to pharmacy dispensing in Canada. Before the medication can be supplied, the prescription information has to be reviewed under the requirements that apply where the dispensing pharmacy is licensed, and the requested formulation, strength, and quantity must be matched to a product that is actually available.
This becomes especially relevant with Prednisolone because Canadian availability differs by dosage form. Pediapred itself is no longer actively marketed in Canada, while other Prednisolone products may still be available, particularly oral solutions. A prescription written for a specific brand or formulation may therefore require the pharmacy to determine whether an equivalent product can be supplied or whether the prescriber needs to authorize a change.
For U.S. customers, the pharmacy or cross-border service will normally explain what prescription documentation is required before the order proceeds. The review can include the prescriber’s details, prescribed dose, treatment duration, patient information, and whether the requested product corresponds to an available Canadian presentation. Payment and shipment generally follow only after those requirements have been completed.
- Prescription status: prescription-only for human systemic use
- U.S. prescription: may require additional authorization before dispensing in Canada
- Quantity: determined by the prescription and dispensing requirements
- Refills: depend on the authorization supplied by the prescriber
How Can Americans Order Prednisolone for Delivery to the United States?
An American patient ordering Prednisolone from Canada generally starts by selecting the required product, strength, and quantity and then providing the prescription information requested by the dispensing service. A Canadian pharmacy that serves U.S. customers should identify how prescription authorization is completed before payment and shipment, particularly when the original prescription was issued by an American healthcare professional.
- Select the product and formulation. Check whether the prescription calls for tablets, oral solution, or another form of prednisolone.
- Provide prescription information. Depending on the service, this may be submitted electronically, by fax, or directly by the prescriber’s office.
- Complete the required review. The order is checked for the prescribed dose, quantity, patient information, and applicable dispensing requirements.
- Enter the U.S. shipping address. Available delivery methods and charges are usually shown before the order is finalized.
- Receive shipment information. Tracking may be issued after the medication has been dispensed and released for international delivery.
Delivery from Canada and admission into the United States are separate matters. FDA states that personal importation of foreign prescription medicines is generally restricted, although enforcement discretion may be considered under limited circumstances, commonly involving a quantity of no more than a three-month supply. An accepted pharmacy order therefore does not by itself guarantee admission of the parcel at the U.S. border.
Pediapred Availability and Current Alternatives in Canada
Pediapred has an unusual status in Canada that is worth checking before ordering. Health Canada’s Drug Product Database lists the Pediapred products previously marketed in Canada as Cancelled Post Market. The recorded Pediapred presentation was an oral liquid containing prednisolone sodium phosphate, equivalent to 5 mg of prednisolone per 5 mL, rather than a tablet formulation.
That does not mean prednisolone itself has disappeared from the Canadian market. Health Canada currently lists PMS-PREDNISOLONE from Pharmascience as a marketed prescription product containing prednisolone sodium phosphate 5 mg/5 mL in an oral solution. An order described broadly as Pediapred may therefore involve another prednisolone product instead of the discontinued brand.
| Product | Form | Strength | Canadian Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pediapred | Oral liquid | 5 mg/5 mL | Cancelled Post Market |
| PMS-Prednisolone | Oral solution | 5 mg/5 mL | Marketed |
| Novo-Prednisolone | Tablet | 5 mg | Cancelled Post Market |
The distinction is important when a prescription specifically calls for tablets. Health Canada’s current database does not show the former human 5 mg prednisolone tablet product as actively marketed, so the dosage form and actual product supplied should be confirmed before an order is placed.
Overdose of Prednisolone
Prednisolone is a drug with a large number of possible side effects, so in no case should you be exceeding the prescribed doses or recommended therapy plan due to the risk of overdose. This can be extremely hazardous to health and life.
The main symptoms of an overdose are raised blood pressure, peripheral edema, and an increase in the severity of all possible side effects.
Treatment of acute overdose consists of immediate gastric lavage or induction of vomiting. There is no specific antidote. Treatment of chronic overdose would require a reduction of the dose of the drug.
In each case of overdose, the individual needs medical supervision, which will reduce the risk of developing severe consequences.
Contraindications
When individuals take medications, they expect them to help get rid of a disease or symptom. However, in addition to useful properties, many drugs have contraindications and can cause side effects. Accordingly, their use is not always safe.
Contraindications are conditions or diseases in which the drug may be dangerous or ineffective. They can be absolute or relative. Absolute contraindications mean that the drug is strictly prohibited in the presence of certain conditions. For example, during pregnancy or allergies to the components of the drug. Relative contraindications mean that the drug can be taken, but with caution and under the supervision of a doctor, if there are certain conditions, such as liver or kidney failure.
Therefore, before starting treatment with Prednisolone, it is important to familiarize yourself with the possible consequences and contraindications. It is important to undergo all the necessary examinations and consult a doctor. This will allow you to avoid unpleasant situations and make an informed choice.
The medicine is obviously not the best choice during pregnancy and nursing. The substance penetrates through the placenta and can slow down fetus development and lead to insufficiency of adrenal glands. However, in some circumstances, its usage cannot be avoided because there are no safe replacements for the medicine. In such cases, the doctor will help to make the final decision and if nursing, one should stop giving breastmilk to the baby.
The list of Prednisolone contraindications is quite broad. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more detailed information and consider previous and current health issues as well as medications before making the final decision on the treatment plan. If the individual’s life depends on this medication, the doctors can suggest this medication if there is no allergy to its components.
Prednisolone FAQ
How to maintain health during Prednisolone treatment?
To minimize the negative consequences for the body during the treatment period, which is typically prolonged, it is necessary to follow a few simple actions:
- Regularly check your vision, blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure and take necessary measures if these health indicators are not normal;
- Take calcium and vitamin D supplements or change your diet accordingly to prevent steroid osteoporosis (bone thinning, which can lead to fractures);
- Consult with a doctor about medications that can protect the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract to prevent issues with this body system;
- Control your food intake as the medication has been shown to increase appetite, which can lead to extra, undesired weight and other health consequences;
Talk to your medical specialist about the measures you can take to live a healthier life.
How to restore the body after taking this medication?
A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and moderate physical activity will help restore good well-being. Prednisolone affects all systems of the human body, so the withdrawal of the drug should be gradual. You should include calcium and vitamin D in your diet and your food should be rich in proteins, vitamins, and trace elements, with alcohol and smoking being excluded if possible.
How does Prednisolone work with allergies?
This hormone can be used during various degrees of allergic diseases. Furthermore, this drug actually exhibits an antiallergic impact as it alters the body’s immunological response to allergens. The hormone blocks the formation of active molecules, which function as allergy mediators. It decreases the number of immune cells and suppresses the development of antibodies.
What are the consequences if the drug is not canceled appropriately?
In no case should you abruptly stop taking this medication because of the high risk of developing negative consequences! Otherwise, you might experience fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, dizziness, musculoskeletal pain, asthenia, and adrenal insufficiency. Moreover, the disease the medication was prescribed for is likely to worsen.
It should also be kept in mind that if the individual has a functional insufficiency of the adrenal glands, the use of the drug should be immediately restored, and the dose reduction should be carried out very slowly and with caution. If necessary, a new course of treatment with prednisolone is prescribed with minimal dosages.
Is it possible to combine it with alcohol?
No. Prednisolone has a lot of side effects, and the combination with alcohol will greatly enhance this effect. In addition, both have a strong immunosuppressive effect, which can be extremely dangerous to the body.
Is Prednisolone compatible with antibiotics?
It is incompatible with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, as their simultaneous use damages tendons. However, the doctor might see it as reasonable to prescribe antibiotics from a different group. Be sure to inform the doctor if the patient is taking any other medications.