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Prelone Side Effects

Generic name: prednisolone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 20, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Prelone Side Effects associated with prednisolone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Prelone.

Applies to prednisolone: oral solution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Serious side effects of Prelone

Along with its needed effects, prednisolone (the active ingredient contained in Prelone) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking prednisolone:

More common

  • aggression
  • agitation
  • anxiety
  • blurred vision
  • decrease in the amount of urine
  • dizziness
  • fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • headache
  • irritability
  • mental depression
  • mood changes
  • nervousness
  • noisy, rattling breathing
  • numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
  • pounding in the ears
  • shortness of breath
  • swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
  • trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
  • troubled breathing at rest
  • weight gain

Incidence not known

  • abdominal cramping and/or burning (severe)
  • abdominal pain
  • backache
  • bloody, black, or tarry stools
  • cough or hoarseness
  • darkening of skin
  • decrease in height
  • decreased vision
  • diarrhea
  • dry mouth
  • eye pain
  • eye tearing
  • facial hair growth in females
  • fainting
  • fatigue
  • fever or chills
  • flushed, dry skin
  • fractures
  • fruit-like breath odor
  • full or round face, neck, or trunk
  • heartburn and/or indigestion (severe and continuous)
  • increased hunger
  • increased thirst
  • increased urination
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of sexual desire or ability
  • lower back or side pain
  • menstrual irregularities
  • muscle pain or tenderness
  • muscle wasting or weakness
  • nausea
  • pain in back, ribs, arms, or legs
  • painful or difficult urination
  • skin rash
  • sleeplessness
  • sweating
  • trouble healing
  • trouble sleeping
  • unexplained weight loss
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vision changes
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

Other side effects of Prelone

Some side effects of prednisolone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • increased appetite

Incidence not known

  • abnormal fat deposits on the face, neck, and trunk
  • acne
  • dry scalp
  • lightening of normal skin color
  • red face
  • reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
  • swelling of the stomach area
  • thinning of the scalp hair

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to prednisolone: compounding powder, injectable solution, injectable suspension, oral liquid, oral suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

General

The most commonly occurring side effects have included fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, increased blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite, and weight gain; the incidence often correlates with dosage, timing of administration, and duration of treatment.[Ref]

Metabolic

Calciphylaxis has been reported rarely with corticosteroid use, most commonly in patients with ESRD; although some patients have had minimal or no renal impairment with normal calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Endocrine

Gastrointestinal

Immunologic

Musculoskeletal

Corticosteroid myopathy presents as weakness and wasting of the proximal limb and girdle muscles and is generally reversible following cessation of therapy.

Corticosteroids inhibit intestinal calcium absorption and increase urinary calcium excretion leading to bone resorption and bone loss. Bone loss of 3% over one year has been demonstrated with prednisolone 10 mg per day. Postmenopausal females are particularly at risk for loss of bone density. Sixteen percent of elderly patients treated with corticosteroids for 5 years may experience vertebral compression fractures. One author reported measurable bone loss over two years in women on concomitant therapy with prednisolone 7.5 mg per day and tamoxifen.[Ref]

Ocular

In renal transplant patients maintained on prednisolone 10 mg per day, 33% developed posterior subcapsular cataracts. Mean time to cataract development is 26 months. Increased intraocular pressure has occurred in 5% of patients.[Ref]

Psychiatric

A wide range of psychiatric reactions have been commonly reported in both adults and children. The frequency of severe reactions has been estimated at around 5% to 6%. Psychological effects have been reported on withdrawal of corticosteroids, the frequency of this is unknown.[Ref]

Hematologic

Dermatologic

Genitourinary

Hepatic

Hypersensitivity

Nervous system

Other

A steroid withdrawal syndrome unrelated to adrenocortical insufficiency has been reported following discontinuation. The syndrome includes symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, headache, fever, joint pain, desquamation, myalgia, arthralgia, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, painful itchy skin nodules, weight loss, and/or hypotension. These effects may be due to the sudden change in glucocorticosteroid concentrations rather than to low corticosteroid levels.[Ref]

Respiratory

Oncologic

Kaposi's sarcoma has been reported among patients receiving corticosteroid therapy; discontinuation may result in clinical remission.[Ref]

References

1. (2006) "Product Information. Prelone (prednisolone)." Muro Pharmaceuticals Inc

2. (2022) "Product Information. Pediapred (prednisoLONE)." Apothecon Inc

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

5. (2016) "Product Information. Orapred ODT (prednisolone)." Concordia Pharmaceuticals

6. (2016) "Product Information. PrednisoLONE (prednisolone)." Watson Pharmaceuticals

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Prelone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.