While they are very similar, prednisone and prednisolone are not the same.
They are bothcorticosteroidmedications, also called glucocorticoids or, simply, steroids.
Steroids are used to treat inflammation in manyautoimmune diseases, such asasthma,rheumatoid arthritis, andinflammatory bowel disease.
Shidlovski / Getty Images
The list of available corticosteroids is long, and many different dosage forms are available.
Prednisone and prednisolone are similar but have some critical differences discussed in this article.
Shidlovski / Getty Images
What Are Prednisone and Prednisolone Used For?
Prednisolone and prednisone are both synthetic (manufactured) versions of the hormonecortisol.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by your twoadrenal glandsthat sit above your kidneys.
Prednisone and prednisolone are highly similar, but prednisone is a prodrug.
Prednisolone causes the following effects.
How Do the Dosages Compare for Prednisolone and Prednisone?
What Other Things Can I Do to Help Manage Inflammation in the Body?
Inflammation is essential in the body for some purposes and for short times.
Examples include the following:
However,chronic inflammationis not beneficial.
Side Effects & Precautions
Prednisone and prednisolone causesimilar side effectsas many other corticosteroid drugs.
Side effects are dose-related, meaning they are more likely to occur if you take a higher dose.
Theyre also more likely if you take steroids long-term.
It is a best practice to take the lowest dose you need for the shortest time.
They are very similar, although prednisone gets converted by your liver into prednisolone after you swallow it.
The drugs have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which help treat many autoimmune diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prednisolone may be a preferred option if you have moderate to severeliver disease.
This is because your liver is required to convert prednisone into its working form, prednisolone.
Additionally, taking two steroids together can increase the likelihood of side effects generally brought on by steroids.
Prednisone and prednisolone are mid-strength steroids, similar in potency to methylprednisolone.
They are stronger than cortisone and hydrocortisone and weaker than dexamethasone.
Becker DE.Basic and clinical pharmacology of glucocorticosteroids.Anesth Prog.
2013;60(1):25-31. doi:10.2344/0003-3006-60.1.25
Food and Drug Administration.Prednisone prescribing information.
2013 Jul 2;8(7):e67833.
Food and Drug Administration.Prednisolone Prescribing Information.
UpToDate.Comparison of systemic glucocorticoid preparations.
