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Prednisolone

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid (steroid medicine) that calms inflammation and overactive immune responses, used in tablets, liquids and dissolving tablets for allergic, skin, hormone, stomach and bowel, blood, and rheumatic conditions, and in eye drops for eye inflammation.

Brand names Flo-PredOrapredPediapredPrednistabPred Forte +4 more
Drug class Corticosteroid
Rx Forms 4
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 36 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 2
Other forms & routes:
Ophthalmic
Prednisolone at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid (steroid medicine) that mimics the body's cortisol to calm inflammation and overactive immune responses, used for allergic, skin, bowel, rheumatic and other conditions and as eye drops; a familiar standby since about 1972, it is available generically. Short courses are usually well tolerated, though many people notice a bigger appetite, poor sleep or mood swings. Watch for infection, which it can hide or worsen, so report fever or chills and avoid chickenpox and measles if not immune. Use the lowest dose that works, and long-term use needs checks on blood sugar, blood pressure, bones and eyes plus a slow taper, never a sudden stop.

Clinical pearls

  • Take the orally disintegrating tablets with food to spare your stomach, and never split them or use part of one.
  • Shake prednisolone acetate eye drops (Pred Forte, Pred Mild) well before every dose, because the medicine settles out of suspension.
  • If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar more often, because your diabetes medicine doses may need adjusting.
  • Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin add to its stomach irritation, so clear regular use with your prescriber or pharmacist first.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asOral solution, Eye drops, Orally disintegrating tablet +1
Earliest FDA record1955
Companies listing it with the FDA31
FDA label last updatedFeb 16, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Prednisolone, written from its FDA label.

What Prednisolone is used for

▾

Prednisolone is used across several products for these conditions:

  • Allergic conditions: severe allergic rhinitis, asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness and drug hypersensitivity reactions when usual treatment has not worked (oral products).
  • Skin diseases: pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative erythroderma or dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, and (syrup, oral solution, tablets) severe psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Endocrine disorders: adrenocortical insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis and hypercalcemia from cancer.
  • Stomach and bowel: ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis and Crohn's disease during flares.
  • Blood disorders: autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and certain others, depending on the product.
  • Kidney: nephrotic syndrome in the oral solution products.
  • Rheumatic and collagen conditions: psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, gout flares, lupus and acute rheumatic carditis (syrup, oral solution, tablets); dermatomyositis (tablets).
  • Eye inflammation: allergic conjunctivitis, iritis, keratitis and corneal burns or injury (eye drops). Pred Mild is for mild to moderate noninfectious disorders.

How Prednisolone works

▾

Prednisolone is a synthetic version of the body's own glucocorticoid hormones. It reduces inflammation by limiting swelling, blood vessel widening and the movement of white blood cells to inflamed areas. It also lowers some immune cells, which dampens overactive immune responses.

Because it acts like a stress hormone, it also affects how the body handles sugar, protein, fat, salt and calcium. It can suppress the body's own steroid production.

Prednisolone dosage

▾

Oral prednisolone is taken by mouth, and the dose is individualized to your condition and how you respond. Your prescriber usually lowers it to the smallest effective amount.

  • Orapred ODT and prednisolone sodium phosphate ODT: take with food, and do not break or split.
  • Eye drops: put into the eye as directed. Shake the suspensions well first.
  • Do not stop long-term or high-dose treatment suddenly. It needs to be tapered.

Ask your pharmacist or prescriber what to do about a missed dose.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Prednisolone prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • General initial dosing (prednisolone sodium phosphate orally disintegrating tablets)
    • Initial dose 10 mg to 60 mg of prednisolone (as 13.4 mg to 80.6 mg of prednisolone sodium phosphate) per day, depending on the specific disease entity
    • Use lowest dosage that will maintain an adequate clinical response for maintenance
    • Take with food to avoid GI irritation; do not break or use partial tablets; withdraw gradually if discontinuing long-term or high-dose therapy
  • Oral solution, initial dosage (all strengths)
    • 10 mg/5 mL: 2.5 mL to 30 mL (5 to 60 mg prednisolone base) per day
    • 15 mg/5 mL: 1.67 mL to 20 mL (5 to 60 mg) per day
    • 20 mg/5 mL: 1.25 mL to 15 mL (5 to 60 mg) per day
    • 25 mg/5 mL: 1 mL to 12 mL (5 to 60 mg) per day
    • Lower doses generally suffice in less severe situations; higher initial doses may be required in selected patients
  • Multiple sclerosis, acute exacerbations
    • 200 mg of prednisolone daily for a week followed by 80 mg every other day for one month
    • Oral solution label also lists 4 to 8 mg dexamethasone every other day as an alternative to 80 mg every other day
  • Pediatric patients
    • Initial doses 0.14 to 2 mg/kg/day in three or four divided doses (4 to 60 mg/m2 bsa/day)
    • Dosage governed by disease severity and response rather than strict adherence to ratio by age or body weight
  • Nephrotic syndrome (pediatric patients)
    • 60 mg/m2/day given in three divided doses for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of single dose alternate-day therapy at 40 mg/m2/day
  • Asthma (children uncontrolled by inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators)
    • 1-2 mg/kg/day in single or divided doses
    • Short course or burst continued until peak expiratory flow rate reaches 80% of personal best or symptoms resolve, usually 3 to 10 days
    • No evidence that tapering the dose after improvement will prevent a relapse
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The initial dosage of prednisolone tablets may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity, lower doses will generally suffice, while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, prednisolone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT. After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small increments at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient’s individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment; in this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of prednisolone for a period of time consistent with the patient’s condition. If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly. Alternate-Day Therapy Alternate-Day Therapy is a corticosteroid dosing regimen in which twice the usual daily dose of corticoid is administered every other morning. The purpose of this mode of therapy is to provide the patient requiring long-term pharmacologic dose treatment with the beneficial effects of corticoids while minimizing certain undesirable effects, including pituitary-adrenal suppression, the Cushingoid state, corticoid withdrawal symptoms, and growth suppression in children.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Prednisolone side effects

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Common effects of corticosteroids like prednisolone include:

Common side effects

  • Fluid retention
  • Higher blood sugar (changes in glucose tolerance)
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Mood and behavior changes
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea

When to get medical help

  • Signs of infection such as fever or chills. Prednisolone can hide or worsen infections.
  • Exposure to chickenpox or measles if you have not had them or are not immune. These can be severe or fatal on steroids.
  • Severe depression, personality changes, or psychosis-type symptoms (losing touch with reality)
  • Severe stomach pain, black stools or vomiting blood, which could signal an ulcer or perforation
  • Allergic reaction signs such as swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
  • Vision changes or eye pain, which could signal glaucoma or cataracts
  • Bone, joint or hip pain, or sudden muscle weakness
  • Swelling, rapid weight gain, or very high blood pressure

Prednisolone warnings and precautions

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  • Infection risk: prednisolone weakens the immune system and can hide signs of infection. Tuberculosis, hepatitis B, fungal infections and threadworm can be worsened or reactivated.
  • Chickenpox and measles: can be serious or fatal if you are not immune.
  • Stopping suddenly: long-term use can suppress your adrenal glands, and the effect can last for months. Extra steroid may be needed during stress.
  • Heart, blood pressure and kidneys: it can raise blood pressure and cause salt and water retention and low potassium.
  • Stomach: higher risk of perforation with certain stomach disorders, and the signs may be masked.
  • Mood: can cause euphoria, depression or psychosis, and can worsen existing problems.
  • Bones and growth: bone thinning and slowed growth in children.
  • Eyes: long-term use can cause cataracts and glaucoma.
  • Vaccines: live vaccines should not be given during immunosuppressive doses.

Prednisolone interactions

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Some medicines can change how prednisolone works or add to its side effects:

  • Warfarin: its blood-thinning effect may change.
  • Diabetes medicines: prednisolone raises blood sugar.
  • Aspirin and NSAIDs: more stomach side effects.
  • Diuretics and amphotericin B: may lower potassium.
  • Digoxin-type medicines: low potassium raises the risk of arrhythmias.
  • Cyclosporine: stronger effects of both, with seizures reported.
  • Phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates and rifampin: may lower prednisolone levels.
  • Ketoconazole and macrolide antibiotics: may raise steroid levels.
  • Estrogens and oral contraceptives: may increase steroid effects.
  • Cholestyramine: may increase steroid clearance.
  • Anticholinesterase medicines: severe weakness in myasthenia gravis.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Prednisolone prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Aminoglutethimide: May lead to loss of corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression.
  • Amphotericin B: Concomitant use with hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure in reported cases. See potassium-depleting agents.
  • Anticholinesterase agents: Concomitant use with corticosteroids may produce severe weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. If possible, withdraw anticholinesterase agents at least 24 hours before starting corticosteroid therapy.
  • Anticoagulant agents (warfarin): Corticosteroids and warfarin usually result in inhibition of response to warfarin, although reports conflict; may enhance or diminish anticoagulant effects. Monitor coagulation indices frequently.
  • Antidiabetic agents: Corticosteroids may increase blood glucose concentrations. Dosage adjustments of antidiabetic agents may be required.
  • Antitubercular drugs (isoniazid): Serum concentrations of isoniazid may be decreased.
  • CYP 3A4 inducers (barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin): May enhance metabolism of prednisolone. Dosage of prednisolone sodium phosphate may need to be increased.
  • CYP 3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics): Ketoconazole has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60%, increasing risk of corticosteroid side effects.
  • Cyclosporine: Increased activity of both cyclosporine and corticosteroids may occur; convulsions have been reported with concurrent use.
  • NSAIDs, including aspirin and salicylates: Increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects; clearance of salicylates may be increased by corticosteroids. Use aspirin cautiously with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Aminoglutethimide : Aminoglutethimide may lead to loss of corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression. Amphotericin B : There have been cases reported in which concomitant use of Amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure (see also Potassium depleting agents). Anticholinesterase agents : Concomitant use of anticholinesterase agents and corticosteroids may produce severe weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. If possible, anticholinesterase agents should be withdrawn at least 24 hours before initiating corticosteroid therapy. Anticoagulant agents : Co-administration of corticosteroids and warfarin usually results in inhibition of response to warfarin, although there have been some conflicting reports. Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored frequently to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect. Antidiabetic Agents : Because corticosteroids may increase blood glucose concentrations, dosage adjustments of antidiabetic agents may be required. Antitubercular drugs : Serum concentrations of isoniazid may be decreased. CYP 3A4 inducers (e.g. barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and rifampin) : Drugs such as barbiturates, phenytoin, ephedrine, and rifampin, which induce hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activity may enhance metabolism of prednisolone and require that the dosage of Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate be increased. CYP 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics) : Ketoconazole has been reported to decrease the metabolism of certain corticosteroids by up to 60% leading to an increased risk of corticosteroid side effects. Cholestyramine : Cholestyramine may increase the clearance of corticosteroids. Cyclosporine : Increased activity of both cyclosporine and corticosteroids may occur when the two are used concurrently. Convulsions have been reported with this concurrent use.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿202 supplements and herbs with documented Prednisolone interactions, ranked by severity Check Prednisolone against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Prednisolone

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  • Do not use it if you are allergic to prednisolone, other corticosteroids or any ingredient in the product.
  • Tell your doctor about any infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or threadworm.
  • Tell them about high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney problems, a recent heart attack or stomach ulcers.
  • Pregnancy: it may cause fetal harm, including a possible small increase in cleft lip or palate risk with first-trimester use.
  • Breastfeeding: small amounts pass into milk, so the lowest effective dose is used.
  • Children need monitoring of growth and blood pressure.
  • Older adults have a higher risk of bone loss and fractures, and cautious dosing is recommended.

Prednisolone overdose

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A single large accidental dose has not been reported to cause specific problems. Prolonged excess use can cause moon face, fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, mood changes, fractures, ulcers and adrenal insufficiency. Get medical help if you take too much. Treatment is supportive, and the dose may be lowered if long-term therapy is still needed.

What Prednisolone does in the body

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Prednisolone reduces inflammation and wound healing processes. It raises blood sugar and promotes protein breakdown and fat storage. It also increases calcium and urate excretion, and has slight salt-retaining activity that can raise blood pressure. It lowers certain white cells and can suppress the body's own cortisol production.

How your body processes Prednisolone

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Prednisolone is 70 to 90 percent bound to proteins in the blood and is mainly broken down in the liver. It leaves the body in urine and has a plasma half-life of about 2.6 hours. In one study, the orally disintegrating tablet and Pediapred solution gave comparable exposure. Older adults can have higher blood levels, likely due to slower clearance.

How to store Prednisolone

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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Protect from moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

202

Supplements & herbs that interact with Prednisolone

202 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Prednisolone in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 4
  • Moderate · 162
  • Minor · 36
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major GRAPEFRUIT Major LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY Major ST. JOHN'S WORT Major ACACIA RIGIDULA Moderate ACTIVE HEXOSE CORRELATED COMPOUND (AHCC) Moderate ADRAFINIL Moderate AFRICAN WILD POTATO Moderate +194 more
Every supplement checked against Prednisolone — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 4 major · 162 moderate · 36 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Prednisolone against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

8

Nutrient depletion considerations

Prednisolone has been associated with lower levels of 8 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 1
  • Moderate · 5
  • Unrated · 2
ZINC Insignificant Depletion CALCIUM Moderate Depletion CHROMIUM Moderate Depletion MAGNESIUM Moderate Depletion POTASSIUM Moderate Depletion VITAMIN D Moderate Depletion SELENIUM Insufficient Evidence STRONTIUM Insufficient Evidence
See the full Prednisolone nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Prednisolone: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Prednisolone — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is prednisolone used for?

▾
It calms inflammation and an overactive immune system. Depending on the product, that can mean allergic conditions, skin diseases, hormone problems, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, blood disorders, or arthritis. The eye drops treat inflammation on the front of the eye.

How should I take it?

▾
Follow your prescriber's directions. The dissolving tablets should be taken with food, and you should not split them. For eye suspensions, shake the bottle well first. Don't stop early or suddenly if you've been on it long term or at a high dose.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Some people notice fluid retention, higher blood sugar or blood pressure, mood changes, trouble sleeping, nausea, and more appetite with weight gain. Call your doctor for signs of infection, severe mood changes, severe stomach pain, vision changes or an allergic reaction.

Can I take it with my other medicines?

▾
Often yes, but check with me first. Warfarin, diabetes medicines, aspirin or NSAIDs, water pills, digoxin, cyclosporine, and certain seizure and antibiotic medicines can interact. Doses or monitoring may need to change.

Is it safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

▾
Prednisolone may harm a developing baby, especially in the first trimester, so tell your prescriber if you're pregnant or planning to be. Small amounts pass into breast milk, and the lowest effective dose is used.

Do I need to avoid anything while on it?

▾
Stay away from anyone with chickenpox or measles if you haven't had them. Avoid live vaccines while on immune-suppressing doses. Tell any doctor treating you that you take a steroid, especially if you are ill or under stress.

Is Prednisolone available over the counter?

▾
No. Prednisolone is a prescription medicine: every Prednisolone product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Prednisolone first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Prednisolone is from 1955: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Prednisolone was first used.

Who makes Prednisolone?

▾
31 companies currently list Prednisolone products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including A-S Medication Solutions, PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma, Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Prednisolone on HelloPharmacist

📊Prednisolone supplement interactions202 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerPrednisolone vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Prednisolone NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Prednisolone Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Prednisolone forms and strengths (how it comes)

Prednisolone is available in 4 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Oral solution

By mouth
Brands Pediapred
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution is used for severe allergic conditions, skin diseases, nephrotic syndrome, endocrine disorders, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis and blood disorders.
  • PrednisoLONE syrup is used for endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, skin and allergic conditions.
Important instructions
  • Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution: the starting amount depends on the condition and the product strength, and is adjusted to response.
  • PrednisoLONE syrup: dosing is individualized and decreased gradually when used for more than a few days.
Available strengths 5 strengths
5 mg/5 mL 10 mg/5 mL 15 mg/5 mL 20 mg/5 mL 25 mg/5 mL
61 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Eye drops

In the eye
Brands Pred Forte Pred Mild
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Pred Forte is used for steroid-responsive inflammation of the eyelid and eye surface lining, cornea and front of the eye.
  • Pred Mild is used for mild to moderate noninfectious allergic and inflammatory disorders of the lid, conjunctiva, cornea and sclera.
  • Prednisolone Acetate eye drops are used for steroid-responsive inflammation such as allergic conjunctivitis, iritis, and corneal injury from burns or foreign bodies.
Important instructions
  • Pred Forte and Pred Mild: shake well, then put drops into the eye several times a day. Do not stop too early.
  • Prednisolone Acetate: shake well before use. If it does not improve after two days, get reevaluated.
  • Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate eye drops: dosing is stepped down as the eye improves, with treatment lasting days to weeks.
Available strengths 2 strengths
1.2 mg/mL 10 mg/mL
33 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Orally disintegrating tablet

By mouth
Brands Orapred
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Orapred ODT is a corticosteroid used as an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent for certain allergic, skin, stomach and bowel, blood and other conditions.
  • Orapred ODT is also used for certain endocrine conditions and to ease certain cancer-related conditions.
Important instructions
  • Orapred ODT: take with food to avoid stomach irritation.
  • Orapred ODT: do not break the tablets or use partial tablets.
  • Orapred ODT: withdraw gradually after long-term or high-dose use.
Available strengths 3 strengths
10 mg 15 mg 30 mg
9 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Millipred
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Prednisolone tablets are used for endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, skin, allergic and eye conditions.
Important instructions
  • Prednisolone tablets: the dose is individualized to the condition and response.
  • Prednisolone tablets: the dose is stepped down to the lowest amount that maintains response.
Available strengths 1 strength
5 mg
6 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Prednisolone on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Prednisolone appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

31 companies list 59 Prednisolone product records with the FDA, mostly as oral solution, eye drops, orally disintegrating tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1955. Brand names on the directory include Flo-Pred, Orapred, Pediapred and 6 more; the rest are generics.

4
Dose forms ⓘ
31
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
9
Brand names
59
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1955
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (42) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

A-S Medication Solutions10%
PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma10%
Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC7%
Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC.7%
Advanz Pharma (US) Corp.5%
Chartwell RX, LLC5%
Other makers56%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Prednisolone is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Prednisolone is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Prednisolone is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

2,763,880
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$62.3M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Prednisolone prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Prednisolone ranks #85 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 95% of them.

Where Prednisolone ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #85 of 1,601
#80 Propranolol (Cardiovas... 2,801,185 Rx #81 Propranolol 2,801,185 Rx #82 Alprazolam 2,797,728 Rx #83 Topiramate 2,782,995 Rx #84 Furosemide 2,765,096 Rx #85 Prednisolone 2,763,880 Rx #86 Mirtazapine 2,693,128 Rx #87 Sodium Chloride 2,643,128 Rx #88 Methylprednisolone 2,620,269 Rx #89 Ketoconazole 2,593,228 Rx #90 Ketoconazole Topical 2,579,373 Rx

Utilization by Prednisolone product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 3 mg/mL oral solution is the most-dispensed Prednisolone product — about 81% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

prednisolone 3 MG/ML Oral Solution Most dispensed

2,232,868 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 81% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $40.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $18 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 49 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 283077

prednisolone acetate 10 MG/ML Ophthalmic Suspension

494,835 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 18% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $19.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $40 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 12 of 34 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1376336

prednisolone 1 MG/ML Oral Solution

21,470 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $708,294 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $33 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 10 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 312614

prednisolone 5 MG/ML Oral Solution

7,089 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $281,620 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $40 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 249066

prednisolone 2 MG/ML Oral Solution

2,258 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $222,191 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $98 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 794979

prednisolone 5 MG Oral Tablet

2,137 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $715,333 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $335 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198142

prednisolone 4 MG/ML Oral Solution

1,529 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $161,285 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $105 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 702306

prednisolone 1.2 MG/ML Ophthalmic Suspension

1,098 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $211,832 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $193 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 6 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 562379

prednisolone 10 MG/ML Ophthalmic Solution

567 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $31,104 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $55 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 6 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 314165

prednisolone 30 MG Disintegrating Oral Tablet

16 Medicaid prescriptions (Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $4,267 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $267 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 643127

prednisolone 10 MG Disintegrating Oral Tablet

13 Medicaid prescriptions (Q4 2025) <1% of Prednisolone prescriptions shown $6,114 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $470 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 643123

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Prednisolone, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 42 of 139 listed Prednisolone NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Prednisolone products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Prednisolone — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 59 of 59 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 59 Prednisolone NDCs →

Prednisolone recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 3 Prednisolone recalls since July 2021. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Jun 4, 2026 · Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Presence of Foreign Substance
  • prednisoLONE Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension, USP, 1%, Rx only, Sterile, a) 5 mL (NDC 70748-332-02); b) 10 mL (NDC 70748-332-03), c) 15 mL (70748-332-04), Manufactured by: Lupin Limited, Pithampur (M.P… Lots: Lots: a) HA00937, HA00939, HA00941, HA00971, H00973, HA00975, Expires: 7/31/2026; HA00987, HA00989, HA00991, HA01010, HA01012, HA01014, HA01016, HA01048, Expires: 8/31/2026; HA01120, HA01137, HA01129, HA01138, HA01133, Expires: 9/30/2026;… FDA record D-0655-2026 →
Ongoing Class III May 18, 2026 · AbbVie Inc.
Failed Stability Specifications
  • PRED MILD, prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension, USP, 0.12%, 10 mL, Sterile, Rx only, Allergen, Inc., an AbbVie company, North Chicago, IL 60064, Product of France, NDC 11980-174-10. Lots: Lot # 402805, 407596, Exp Date: 08/2026. FDA record D-0551-2026 →
Class II Apr 13, 2022 · Terminated · Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office
cGMP deviations: Temperature abuse
  • Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension, USP 1%, 5 mL bottle, Rx only, MFG: Sandoz Pharma, NDC 61314-637-05 Lots: McKesson Medical-Surgical (MMS) is not able to identify the particular lot number received by a particular consignee for the recalled prescription products. Each letter includes the date it was distributed to customers and the dates that i… FDA record D-1105-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Prednisolone RxCUI 8638 11 dose forms · 33 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Delayed Release Oral Tablet RxCUI 373572 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2.5 MG RxCUI 105408 5 MG RxCUI 105409
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Disintegrating Oral Tablet RxCUI 379264 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 5 MG RxCUI 105410 10 MG RxCUI 643123 15 MG RxCUI 643125 30 MG RxCUI 643127
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Suspension RxCUI 373568 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 25 MG/ML RxCUI 260125
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Solution RxCUI 373576 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium phosphate 5 MG/ML RxCUI 1547974 0.03 MG/ML RxCUI 106993 0.1 MG/ML RxCUI 106994 0.3 MG/ML RxCUI 106995 1 MG/ML RxCUI 106996 1.25 MG/ML RxCUI 345131 3 MG/ML RxCUI 106997 10 MG/ML RxCUI 314165
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Suspension RxCUI 373571 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) acetate 1.25 MG/ML RxCUI 1549315 acetate 10 MG/ML RxCUI 1376336 1.2 MG/ML RxCUI 562379 25 MG/ML RxCUI 392181
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 373575 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG/ML RxCUI 312614 2 MG/ML RxCUI 794979 3 MG/ML RxCUI 283077 4 MG/ML RxCUI 702306 5 MG/ML RxCUI 249066
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Suspension RxCUI 792956 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG/ML RxCUI 792957 3 MG/ML RxCUI 793099
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 373578 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG RxCUI 199343 5 MG RxCUI 198142 20 MG RxCUI 429199 25 MG RxCUI 199967 50 MG RxCUI 348428
  9. Dose form (SCDF) Paste RxCUI 451160 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.005 MG/MG RxCUI 416681
  10. Dose form (SCDF) Rectal Suppository RxCUI 373577 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 5 MG RxCUI 250864
  11. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Cream RxCUI 451096 No current FDA listing

Look up RxCUI 8638 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Prednisolone costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Solution · Oral 15 mg/5 mL $0.103 per mL NDC details & price history
Solution · Oral 5 mg/5 mL $0.549 per mL NDC details & price history
Solution · Oral 10 mg/5 mL $2.43 per mL NDC details & price history
Solution · Oral 25 mg/5 mL $0.788 per mL NDC details & price history
Suspension/ Drops · Ophthalmic 10 mg/mL $30.71–$30.83 per mL NDC details & price history
Suspension/ Drops · Ophthalmic 1.2 mg/mL $30.65–$30.67 per mL NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 5 mg $8.48 per tablet NDC details & price history
Syrup · Oral 15 mg/5 mL $0.568–$0.615 per mL NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Prednisolone brand names

Prednisolone is sold under 9 brand names in the FDA directory — Flo-Pred, Orapred, Pediapred, Prednistab and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Flo-Pred Orapred Pediapred Prednistab Pred Forte Pred Mild Millipred Veripred Orapred ODT

Who makes Prednisolone: manufacturers and labelers

31 companies list Prednisolone products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are A-S Medication Solutions, PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma, Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

A-S Medication Solutions 6 PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma 6 Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC 4 Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC. 4 Advanz Pharma (US) Corp. 3 Chartwell RX, LLC 3 Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC 3 Atlantic Biologicals Corp. 2 Allergan, Inc. 2 Chartwell Governmental & Specialty RX, LLC. 2 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Redpharm Drug 2 Sportpharm LLC 2 Asclemed USA, Inc. 1 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 1 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 1 BioComp Pharma, Inc. 1 Heritage Pharma Labs Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Labs Inc. 1 Hisun Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 1 Kesin Pharma 1 Lannett Company, Inc. 1 Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 1 Pacific Pharma, Inc. 1

…and 7 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Prednisolone drug class (RxNorm)

Prednisolone belongs to the Corticosteroid class.

Pharmacologic class Corticosteroid
Drug family (ATC) Corticosteroids for local oral treatment, Corticosteroids acting locally, Corticosteroids
How it works Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Prednisolone page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Feb 16, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Prednisolone.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Prednisolone after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
36
Finished products in the current FDA directory
59
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
31
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
32
Linked representative label ⓘ
Aurobindo Pharma Limited
Linked label effective
Feb 16, 2024
Composite sections available
22
Linked SPL Set ID
070f1937-50a5-457f-bef5-4e597014e26d
Linked SPL Document ID
c535b93f-b31f-411f-848c-b5e6782f321f
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Aurobindo Pharma Limited is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →