Prednisolone oral solution interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with prednisolone oral solution. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

To find coupon options for prednisolone and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.

Prednisolone comes as a liquid solution that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as an oral tablet, oral syrup, and as an eye drop. Interactions of prednisolone may vary depending on the form of prednisolone you’re prescribed.

Other drugs and prednisolone

Drugs that may interact with prednisolone oral solution are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with prednisolone.

Drugs that may interact with prednisolone oral solution include:

• drugs containing estrogen:
  • drug examples: conjugated estrogen (Premarin) and birth control pills, such as ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone (Yaz, others)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prednisolone
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
  • drug examples: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), meloxicam (Mobic)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from prednisolone and NSAIDs
• macrolide antibiotics:
  • drug examples: clarithromycin, erythromycin
  • what might happen: can increase the effect and risk of side effects from prednisolone
• diuretics (water pills):
  • drug examples: furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from prednisolone and diuretics
• carbamazepine (Tegretol, others):
  • what might happen: can decrease the effect of prednisolone
• cyclosporine:
  • what might happen: can increase the effect and risk of side effects from prednisolone
• warfarin:
  • what might happen: can increase or decrease the effect of warfarin
• natalizumab (Tysabri):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from natalizumab
• vigabatrin (Sabril):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from prednisolone and vigabatrin

When to avoid prednisolone

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with prednisolone oral solution. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe prednisolone in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a contraindication for prednisolone oral solution:

• Systemic fungal infection. If you have a systemic (whole body) fungal infection, taking prednisolone oral solution may worsen your infection.

Before starting treatment with prednisolone, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take prednisolone.

Alcohol and prednisolone

Prednisolone oral solution is known to interact with alcohol.

Taking prednisolone oral solution and drinking alcohol may cause headache or mood changes. It may also increase your risk of infection. These are known side effects of prednisolone.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Other interactions and prednisolone

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether prednisolone oral solution has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with prednisolone.

Prednisolone and supplements

Before taking prednisolone oral solution, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Prednisolone interactions with herbs

Prednisolone oral solution may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used for supporting mood.

Taking prednisolone and St. John’s wort may prevent prednisolone from working well or working at all.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John’s wort during treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Prednisolone interactions with vitamins

Prednisolone oral solution isn’t known to interact with vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Prednisolone and food

Prednisolone oral solution may interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Taking prednisolone and consuming grapefruit may increase the risk of side effects from prednisolone.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what amount of grapefruit, if any, is safe to consume during treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Prednisolone and vaccines

Prednisolone oral solution may interact with live vaccines. Examples include the MMR vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Live vaccines use a weakened version of the germ they protect against.

Taking prednisolone oral solution and receiving a live vaccine may prevent the vaccine from working well or working at all. You may also get the infection that the vaccine is meant to protect against. This is because prednisolone weakens your immune system, which makes it easier for the live germ in the vaccine to cause an infection.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Prednisolone and lab tests

Prednisolone oral solution isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with prednisolone oral solution.

Prednisolone and cannabis or CBD

Prednisolone oral solution isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with prednisolone.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Health factors and prednisolone

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with prednisolone oral solution. Before taking prednisolone, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether prednisolone is right for you.

Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with prednisolone oral solution:

• active infection
• bleeding disorders
• digestive system conditions, including peptic ulcers
• glaucoma
• heart conditions
• high blood pressure
• kidney conditions
• liver cirrhosis
• mental health conditions, including depression
• myasthenia gravis (a nerve condition)
• osteoporosis
• recent exposure to chickenpox or measles
• thyroid conditions
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to prednisolone

Questions about prednisolone and interactions

Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about prednisolone and possible interactions.

Does prednisolone oral solution have different interactions than prednisolone oral tablet?

No, prednisolone oral solution does not have different interactions than prednisolone oral tablet.

Both prednisolone oral solution and prednisolone oral tablet are prescribed to treat certain conditions related to inflammation (swelling). Interactions with either form are expected to be the same.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how prednisolone oral solution compares with prednisolone oral tablet.

Will prednisolone interact with Mirena?

No, prednisolone isn’t known to interact with Mirena. Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD) used to help prevent pregnancy. It works by releasing levonorgestrel, the active drug, into the uterus over time. An active drug is the ingredient that makes a drug work.

Levonorgestrel isn’t known to interact with prednisolone. And because levonorgestrel is released only into the uterus, it isn’t expected to interact with other medications.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about choosing effective birth control while you’re taking prednisolone.

Preventing prednisolone interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with prednisolone oral solution. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your prednisolone oral solution treatment.

Taking prednisolone exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about prednisolone and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Are prednisolone’s interactions similar to other corticosteroid drugs?
• If prednisolone interacts with a health condition I have, is it safe for me to take a lower dose of prednisolone?
• Should I let you know if I make changes to my diet or lifestyle while taking prednisolone?

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.