Prednisolone: Clinical Uses and Adverse Effects Explained

Prednisolone: Clinical Uses and Adverse Effects Explained

Question. Write short note on clinical uses and side effcts of prednisolone.

Answer. Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effctive as an immunosuppressant drug.

It is used to treat certain inflmmatory diseases (such as moderate allergic reactions) and (at higher doses) some types of cancer, but has signifiant adverse effcts.

Clinical Uses

• In asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), rheumatic disorders,allergic disorders, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, adrenocortical insuffiency, hypercalcemia due to cancer, thyroiditis, laryngitis, severe tuberculosis, urticaria(hives), lipid pneumonitis, pericarditis, multiple sclerosis,nephrotic syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and as part of a drug regimen to prevent rejection post organ transplant.
• Prednisone has also been used in the treatment of migraine headaches and cluster headaches and for severe aphthous ulcer.
• Prednisone is used as an antitumor drug.
• Prednisone is important in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non­Hodgkin lymphomas, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other hormone­sensitive tumors, in combination with other anticancer drugs.
• Prednisone is also used for the treatment of the Herxheimer reaction, which is common during the treatment of syphilis, and to delay the onset of symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and also for uveitis.
• Prednisone also could be used in the treatment of decompensated heart failure

Prednisolone: Clinical Uses and Adverse Effects

Side-effects

Major

• Increased blood sugar for diabetics
• Diffilty controlling emotion
• Diffilty in maintaining train of thought
• Immunosuppression
• Weight gain
• Facial swelling
• Depression, mania, psychosis, or other psychiatric symptoms
• Unusual fatigue or weakness
• Mental confusion / indecisiveness
• Blurred vision
• Abdominal pain
• Peptic ulcer
• Infections
• Painful hips or shoulders
• Steroid­induced osteoporosis
• Stretch marks
• Osteonecrosis
• Insomnia
• Severe joint pain
• Cataracts or glaucoma
• Anxiety
• Black stool
• Stomach pain or bloating
• Severe swelling
• Mouth sores or dry mouth
• Avascular necrosis
• Hepatic steatosis.

Prednisolone Uses in Medical Treatment

Minor

• Nervousness
• Acne
• Skin rash
• Appetite gain
• Hyperactivity
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Diarrhea
• Reduced intestinal flra
• Leg pain / cramps
• Sensitive teeth