Prednisone oral tablet vs. methylprednisolone oral tablet: A detailed guide

This article explains how prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet if you’d like more information about these drugs.

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Questions about prednisone and methylprednisolone

Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet.

Between prednisone and methylprednisolone, is one a better or safer treatment for inflammation?

It depends. Inflammation is a broad term that can refer to many different conditions and processes. Whether prednisone or methylprednisolone is a better choice for your specific condition depends on the condition treated and how severe it is. It also depends on factors specific to your health.

Your doctor can help determine whether one drug is better for your condition than the other. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Methylprednisolone is considered slightly stronger but barely. It may not make a difference depending on your health needs and the condition treated.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.

Can prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet be used for back pain, asthma, or sinus infection?

Prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are approved to treat asthma in certain situations. Doctors prescribe these drugs to adults and children with this condition. For example, either drug may be used to treat an asthma exacerbation.

Both prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet could be used to treat back pain related to arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. Both drugs are approved for this, but only for short-term use and with other treatments.

Neither prednisone oral tablet nor methylprednisolone oral tablet is approved to treat a sinus infection. Neither drug is an antibiotic, so they won’t be effective for treating the source of your infection.

It’s important to note that corticosteroids, including prednisone and methylprednisolone, have many off-label uses. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.) So a doctor could prescribe either drug for uses beyond those listed here.

To learn more about using prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet for certain conditions, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment options for the condition you’re curious about.

Is it safe to take prednisone and methylprednisolone together?

No. Prednisone and methylprednisolone should not be taken together. Both drugs work in very similar ways and are approved to treat the same conditions. There’s no expected benefit from combining the two and taking them together. Also, doing so could raise your risk of side effects.

Dosage of prednisone and methylprednisolone

Below is dosage information for the conditions that both prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet treat, see these articles about prednisone oral tablet dosage and methylprednisolone oral tablet dosage.

The dosages in the tables below are provided by the drugmakers of prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll recommend the dosage that is best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.

Prednisone oral tablet’s dosage

Below is a summary of prednisone oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).

Methylprednisolone oral tablet’s dosage

Below is a summary of methylprednisolone oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).

Cost of prednisone and methylprednisolone

As with the cost of other medications, the cost of prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet can vary. Their price may be affected by:

• whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy they’re purchased from

Coupons and cost savings

To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for prednisone oral tablet and this coupon page for methylprednisolone oral tablet. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Brand-name versions

Both prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are generic medications.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) 

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Here’s a summary of brand-name versions of prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet:



Uses of prednisone and methylprednisolone

Here’s a summary of prednisone oral tablet’s and methylprednisolone oral tablet’s approved uses:

If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet is an option to consider.

Side effects of prednisone and methylprednisolone

Prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are also listed.

Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.

This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet. You can also check out these articles about prednisone oral tablet side effects and methylprednisolone oral tablet side effects.

Mild side effects

Below are some of the mild side effects reported with prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet:

Serious side effects

Below are serious side effects reported with prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet:

With a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Warnings for prednisone and methylprednisolone

Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.

Some people should not take prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet, and others should use either medication with caution.

Warnings for prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet are summarized below. Before using either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.

You can view more detailed articles about prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for prednisone oral tablet and methylprednisolone oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

If you’re trying to decide whether prednisone oral tablet or methylprednisolone oral tablet is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If I’m a good candidate for both drugs, are there reasons why one would be prescribed over the other?
• Is there a reason why prednisone might be better for my condition than methylprednisolone or vice versa?
• How long should it take before I feel a difference from prednisone or methylprednisolone?

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.