Comment
Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Many often wonder when to use prednisone versus prednisolone and why we may see one over the other prescribed in practice. They are not the same medication and have their differences, but they also share a lot of similarities. To make it simple it is often about what is the easiest dosage form for the patient to tolerate both in financial aspects and swallowing abilities. What are Prednisone and Prednisolone and How Do They Work? Prednisone and prednisolone are both steroids, specifically glucocorticoids, that work to reduce inflammation. Prednisone is a prodrug, which is an inactive drug that needs to be metabolized by the body into the active form. Prednisone is broken down by the liver into its active component of prednisolone. This is why the two agents are therapeutically very similar. Comparison Chart of Prednisone Versus Prednisolone Dosage form PrednisonePrednisoloneTabletStrengths available: 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg Cost: Inexpensive Strengths available: 5 mgCost: Expensive Oral SolutionStrengths available: 5mg/5mLCost: CheapPrednisone intensol: 5mg/1mLCost: Relatively InexpensiveStrengths available: 5 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/5 mL, 15 mg/5 mL, 20 mg/5 mL, 25 mg/5 mLCost: Ranges based on strength and generic availability but relatively inexpensive Orally disintegratingNAStrengths available: 10mg, Cost: Relatively expensive Delayed release tabletStrengths available: 1mg, 2mg, 5mgCost: ExpensiveNAEye dropsNAStrengths available: 1%Cost: Relatively inexpensive*Cost may be variable based on location, brand names, and availability Clinical SelectionPrednisone tablets may be prescribed to a patient with healthy liver function due to their cheap and easy administration. The multiple strengths available allow for higher doses to be achieved and fewer tablets needing to be administered. For example, if a patient needs a 40mg dose they could take 2 tablets of prednisone 20mg instead of 8 tablets of prednisolone 5mg tablets. Prednisolone solution may be administered to children or adults without the
Add Comment