Prednisolone, Prednisolone Anhydrous

Introduction

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber R. Watson, PharmD
Updated on January 12, 2024

Prednisolone (pred NISS oh lone) is a generic medication that’s prescribed for treating many disorders. The brand-name versions of this drug are Omnipred, Oraped ODT, Prelone, Pediapred, Pred Forte, and Pred Mild. The cost of prednisolone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prednisolone to treat certain:

• endocrine (hormone) disorders, such as adrenal insufficiency
• rheumatic (joint) disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• collagen diseases, such as lupus
• skin diseases, such as psoriasis
• allergic reactions, such as eczema
• eye diseases, such as uveitis
• lung or breathing disorders, such as pneumonitis
• blood cell disorders, such as low platelet count
• diseases that cause tumors, such as leukemia
• to treat fluid retention in certain diseases, such as lupus
• digestive disorders, such as ulcerative colitis
• nervous system disorders, such as flare-ups of multiple sclerosis
• organ rejection due to organ transplant
• other conditions, such as tuberculosis meningitis

Read on to learn about prednisolone and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about prednisolone, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of prednisolone

Like other medications, the cost of prednisolone can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much prednisolone costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for prednisolone” section.

Coupons for prednisolone

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of prednisolone. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for prednisolone

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of prednisolone. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for prednisolone. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking or using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking or using prednisolone long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Prednisolone is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed prednisolone but you’re interested in taking a brand name of prednisolone, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of prednisolone compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about prednisolone and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about prednisolone.  

Do prednisolone eye drops cost more than the oral tablet form of the drug?

Possibly. The price you’ll pay for prednisolone eye drops or tablets can depend on a number of factors. These factors can include your insurance coverage (if you have any) and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about the cost of prednisolone, talk with your pharmacist or your insurance provider.

How does the cost of prednisolone compare with the cost of prednisone?

Prednisone and prednisolone are similar medications. They both are corticosteroid medications, but they have different chemical structures. The cost of either medication can depend on several factors including your insurance coverage (if you have any) and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how much prednisolone or prednisone would cost, talk with your pharmacist or your insurance provider.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about prednisolone

This article provides cost information related to prednisolone. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for prednisolone.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will prednisone or another steroid cost less to treat my condition?
• If I will be taking the medication long term, can I get a higher quantity to lower my cost?
• Do I need prior authorization for my insurance to cover prednisolone?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Prednisolone – prednisolone tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/070f1937-50a5-457f-bef5-4e597014e26d/spl-doc

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.