Health Library

Prednisolone (By injection)

Prednisolone (pred-NIS-oh-lone)

Treats many diseases and conditions, especially problems related to inflammation. This medicine is a steroid. This product is no longer available in the US but may be available in other countries.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• The medicine may be injected into a vein, muscle, or joint.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines and foods can affect how prednisolone works. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:
  • Diabetes medicine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Rifampin
  • Blood thinner, such as warfarin
  • Estrogen, including birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
  • Diuretic (water pill)
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, a recent heart attack, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis, or thyroid problems. Tell your doctor about any infection you have. Also tell your doctor if you have had mental or emotional problems (such as depression).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Mood or behavior changes
  • Higher blood pressure, retaining water, changes in salt or potassium levels in your body
  • Cataracts or glaucoma (with long-term use)
  • Weak bones or osteoporosis (with long-term use)
  • Slow growth in children (with long-term use)
  • Muscle problems (with high doses, especially if you have myasthenia gravis or similar nerve and muscle problems)
• This medicine could cause you to get infections more easily. Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to chicken pox, measles, or other serious infection. Tell your doctor if you had a serious infection in the past, such as tuberculosis or herpes.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
• Depression, trouble sleeping, unusual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or red or black stools
• Trouble seeing, eye pain, headache

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Increased appetite, weight gain
• Round, puffy face
• Weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024