pharmacopeia
GET
/api/v1/drug/prednisone
2D structure
(8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-17-hydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-10,13-dimethyl-6,7,8,9,12,14,15,16-octahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,11-dione
SMILES C[C@]12CC(=O)[C@H]3[C@H]([C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(C(=O)CO)O)CCC4=CC(=O)C=C[C@]34C
InChIKey XOFYZVNMUHMLCC-ZPOLXVRWSA-N

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action classes: Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists; Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors.

Corticosteroid Hormone ReceptorGlucocorticoid ReceptorLipoxygenase

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Prednisone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Hypercalcemia associated with cancer Nonsuppurative thyroiditis 2.ICD-10: E83.52

Contraindications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

The initial dosage of prednisone may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg of prednisone per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity lower doses will generally suffice while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, prednisone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT . After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient’s individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment; in this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of prednisone for a period of time consistent with the patient’s condition.

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated. Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses. Usage in pregnancy Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers or women of child-bearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus. Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy, should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium. These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion. While on corticosteroid therapy patients should not be vaccinated against smallpox.

Adverse reactions

Sourced from openFDA

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances Sodium retention Fluid retention Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients Potassium loss Hypokalemic alkalosis Hypertension Musculoskeletal Muscle weakness Steroid myopathy Loss of muscle mass Osteoporosis Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon Vertebral compression fractures Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads Pathologic fracture of long bones Gastrointestinal Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage Pancreatitis Abdominal distention Ulcerative esophagitis Dermatologic Impaired wound healing Thin fragile skin Petechiae and ecchymoses Facial erythema Increased sweating May suppress reactions to skin tests Metabolic Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism Neurological Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment Convulsions Vertigo Headache Endocrine Menstrual irregularities Development of Cushingoid state Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness Suppression of growth in children Decreased carbohydrate tolerance Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics Ophthalmic Posterior subcapsular cataracts Increased intraocular pressure Glaucoma Exophthalmos Additional Reactions Urticaria and other allergic, anaphylactic or hypersensitivity reactions

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Jan 17, 1972ANDAANDA080356Watson Labs
  • Apr 21, 1972ANDAANDA080352Hikma
  • Feb 26, 1974ANDAANDA083677Mylan
  • Jun 27, 1974ANDAANDA084275Chartwell Molecular
  • Nov 11, 1976ANDAANDA085161Watson Labs
  • Nov 12, 1976ANDAANDA085162Watson Labs
  • Nov 8, 1984ANDAANDA088703Hikma
  • Feb 20, 1985ANDAANDA088810Hikma

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
491,146 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Drug Ineffective65,51913%
  2. 2Off Label Use54,38511%
  3. 3Fatigue40,1838.2%
  4. 4Pain37,3857.6%
  5. 5Dyspnoea34,3497.0%
  6. 6Arthralgia32,7926.7%
  7. 7Condition Aggravated28,1695.7%
  8. 8Nausea28,0985.7%
  9. 9Diarrhoea27,9575.7%
  10. 10Headache26,1735.3%
  11. 11Rheumatoid Arthritis24,6425.0%
  12. 12Pneumonia24,5815.0%
  13. 13Rash22,5554.6%
  14. 14Pyrexia21,4324.4%
  15. 15Malaise20,6274.2%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Prednisone as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 2,453 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Prednisone as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Structural analogs

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Ranked by 2D fingerprint (Tanimoto) similarity over PubChem structures. Structural proximity only — not a claim of therapeutic equivalence.

Frequently asked questions

How does Prednisone work?
Mechanism-of-action classes: Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists; Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors.
What is Prednisone used for?
According to FDA labeling, Prednisone carries indications including: Prednisone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Hypercalcemia associated with cancer Nonsuppurative thyroiditis 2.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Prednisone?
Prednisone is classified as Corticosteroids acting locally, Glucocorticoids, Corticosteroid, Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists, Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists, Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Carbohydrate Metabolism Alteration, Decreased Capillary Permeability, Decreased Fibroblast Migration, Decreased Glucocorticoid Secretion, Decreased Leukotriene Activity, Decreased Lysosomal Function, Decreased Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Migration, Decreased Prostaglandin Activity, Decreased Protein Synthesis, Decreased Thromboxane Activity, Lipid Metabolism Alteration.
What are the brand names for Prednisone?
Prednisone is marketed under brand names including Deltasone, Rayos.
What are the contraindications for Prednisone?
Prednisone labeling lists contraindications including: Systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for prednisone is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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