This article describes prednisolone oral solution’s dosage and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for prednisolone.
If you want to know more about prednisolone oral solution, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Prednisolone oral solution is a generic version of the brand-name drug Pediapred. Prednisolone also comes in an oral tablet and an eye drop, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Form and strengths of prednisolone
Prednisolone oral solution comes as follows:
- Form: solution that you swallow
- Strengths:
- 5 milligrams (mg) per 5 milliliters (mL) (mg/mL)
- 10 mg/5 mL
- 15 mg/5 mL
- 20 mg/5 mL
- 25 mg/5 mL
- 30 mg/5 mL
Dosage of prednisolone
This article describes the recommended dosages for prednisolone oral solution. The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of prednisolone oral solution without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of prednisolone in adults
Prednisolone is approved to treat the following conditions:
- nervous system conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
- allergic conditions, such as seasonal allergies, drug reactions, asthma, and atopic dermatitis
- skin conditions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and severe psoriasis
- endocrine conditions, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcerative colitis
This list doesn’t include all conditions prednisolone is approved to treat. Talk with your doctor if you’d like more information on prednisolone’s approved uses.
Usually, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of prednisolone oral solution that gives the desired outcome. If needed, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to treat your condition.
Dosage for allergic and other conditions
To treat allergic and other conditions, the drug manufacturer has provided a recommended dosage range in milligrams (mg). The recommended dosage range is:
- Dose: 5–60 mg
- Frequency: daily, taken once or divided into multiple doses
Your doctor will determine the best dosage for your condition and may adjust it over time. For example, they might prescribe a low dosage, such as 5 mg daily. Or your condition might require a high dosage, such as 40 mg daily.
Dosages of prednisolone in children
Prednisolone is approved to treat the following conditions in children:
- nephrotic syndrome, in children ages 2 years and older
- certain lymphomas and leukemias, in children ages 1 month and older
- allergic conditions, such as seasonal allergies, drug reactions, asthma, and atopic dermatitis
This list doesn’t include all conditions prednisolone is approved to treat. Talk with your child’s doctor if you’d like more information on prednisolone’s approved uses for your child.
To treat some conditions, your child’s doctor may calculate the prednisolone dosage using your child’s weight in kilograms (kg). For example, a starting dosage might be calculated in milligrams (mg) per kg of body weight. And dosage might range from 0.14–2 mg per kg per day in three or four divided doses. So if your child weighs 40 kg,* the starting dosage may range from 5–80 mg. This dosage would be divided into three or four doses per day.
Your child’s doctor can provide more information on how they’ll determine your child’s prednisolone dosage.
* For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). So 40 kg is about 88 lb.
Dosage adjustments for prednisolone
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of prednisolone oral solution based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of prednisolone
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of prednisolone oral solution. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of prednisolone oral solution and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about prednisolone oral solution and its dosage.
What’s considered a high dose of prednisolone?
A high dose of prednisolone might mean a dosage of 40 milligrams (mg) or more daily. But that could be different based on the condition being treated. Some conditions require a higher dosage of prednisolone than others.
Your doctor will determine the best dosage for your condition. You can talk with them if you have questions about your dosage.
How do the dosages of prednisolone oral solution and prednisolone oral tablets compare?
Prednisolone oral solution is available in strengths of milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL), which is mg/mL. It’s available in 5 mg/5 mL and higher strengths, which range from 10–30 mg/5 mL. Prednisolone oral tablets are available in one strength, which is 5 mg.
For more information on prednisolone’s oral solution and oral tablets, you can ask your doctor.
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Get free cardIs prednisolone taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe prednisolone oral solution as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use. The length of your treatment with prednisolone will depend on your condition.
If you have questions about how long you should take prednisolone oral solution, talk with your doctor.
How prednisolone is taken
You’ll swallow prednisolone oral solution daily, with or without food. Your doctor will tell you how many times per day you need to take it. They may recommend taking your entire dose at once. Or they may have you divide it into multiple doses throughout the day.
Your doctor can discuss the best way for you to take prednisolone oral solution.
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Overdose of prednisolone
It’s important that you do not take more prednisolone oral solution than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of prednisolone overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- weight gain
- increased appetite
- swelling
- high blood pressure
- scaly skin
What to do if you take too much prednisolone
If you think you’ve taken too much prednisolone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for prednisolone oral solution. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of prednisolone oral solution without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take prednisolone oral solution exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is my risk of side effects higher by taking a higher dosage of prednisolone oral solution?
- Will my dosage of prednisolone oral solution change over time?
- Are there other treatments for my condition that have lower dosages?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.