Patient leaflet - Prednisolone 10 mg soluble tablets
1. What Prednisolone is and what it is used for
Prednisolone 10 mg Soluble Tablets, referred to as Prednisolone throughout this package leaflet, contains the active ingredient prednisolone.
Prednisolone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (or steroids). Corticosteroids occur naturally within the body, helping to maintain your body’s health and wellbeing. Boosting the body with additional corticosteroid (such as prednisolone) is an effective method of treating various illnesses which involve inflammation.
Prednisolone reduces inflammation, which would otherwise worsen your condition. Corticosteroids lower the body’s immune response to inflammation. Taking this medicine regularly will ensure you receive the maximum benefit from Prednisolone.
Prednisolone can be used to treat a variety of inflammatory illnesses, including but not limited to;
- severe allergic reactions
- asthma associated breathing difficulties
- inflammation of the skin and severe skin conditions
- problems of the immune system
- certain kidney disorders
- rheumatoid arthritis
- bowel disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- inflammation of the heart
- certain blood disorders
2. What you need to know before you use Prednisolone
Do not take Prednisolone
- if you are allergic to prednisolone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). The signs may include red and lumpy skin rash, rapid swelling of the face, mouth and throat which may cause breathing and swallowing difficulties.
- if you have a viral infection which is affecting your entire body, or any other infection, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
- if you have recently had or are planning to have any vaccinations.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Prednisolone if you have or have ever had:
- severe depression or depressive illness (bipolar disorder) or if anyone in your family has suffered from mental illness. This includes having had depression while taking corticosteroids like prednisolone.
- Scleroderma, an autoimmune disorder, as daily doses of 15 mg or more could increase the risk of a serious complication called scleroderma renal crisis, signs of which include decreased urine production and a raise in blood pressure. Your doctor may advise that you have regular and routine blood pressure and urine tests.
- epilepsy
- diabetes
- tuberculosis (TB)
- osteoporosis
- glaucoma (an eye disease caused by raised pressure in the eye which damages the optic nerve)
- liver or kidney problems
- an under-active thyroid
- stomach ulcers
- muscle problems, particularly when steroids have been used before
If any of the above applies to you or you are unsure, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Prednisolone.
Mental health problems while taking Prednisolone
Mental health problems can arise while taking corticosteroids, such as prednisolone (see also section 4 Possible Side Effects);
- These illnesses can be serious.
- Usually they begin within a few days or weeks after starting treatment.
- Mental health problems are more likely at higher doses, and most of these problems will stop once the dosage is lowered or stopped completely.
- If you experience mental health issues they may require further treatment.
Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this drug) show any sign of mental health disorders. This is important if you are depressed, have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. In a few cases, mental
health problems have been experienced when doses are being lowered or stopped.
Chickenpox, measles or shingles
- Tell your doctor if you have previously had chickenpox, measles or shingles, or if you have been vaccinated against any of these viral infections.
Whilst taking Prednisolone it is important that you avoid contact with anybody who has chickenpox, measles or shingles, particularly if you have not had these infections previously.
Contact your doctor immediately if you come into contact with a person with chickenpox, measles or shingles, or if you catch any of these infections. Your doctor will then advise you on how to continue your medicine
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or any other visual disturbances.
Other medicines and Prednisolone
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines can increase the effects of Prednisolone such as some HIV medicines (ritonavir, cobicstat). If you are taking these medicines your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully. Tell your doctor if you are taking:
- medicines for epilepsy such as primidone, phenytoin, phenobarbitone or carbamazepine
- antibiotics such as rifampicin or erythromycin
- any oral contraceptives
- diabetes medicines such as metformin or insulin
- theophylline used for the treatment of asthma
- ciclosporin, used to prevent organ rejection following a transplant
mifepristone used in the termination of a pregnancy
- somatropin, used in the treatment of growth failure
- any medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as diuretics
- warfarin
- aspirin or similar medicines
- medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole
- glaucoma medication
- medicines to treat stomach ulcers
- myasthenia gravis medications
- methotrexate, used in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and types of cancer
any medicine within the group called
sympathomimetics
medicines used to make X-rays clearer Prednisolone with food and drink
Prednisolone is best taken dissolved in a glass of water and administered as a drink. However, they can also be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Prednisolone is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Prednisolone 10 mg Soluble tablets contain sodium benzoate and sodium.
Prednisolone 10 mg tablets contain 11.60 mg of sodium benzoate in each tablet.
Sodium benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old) Prednisolone 10 mg tablets contain 54.48 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each tablet. This is equivalent to 2.72% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Carrying a Steroid Card
If you have been prescribed this medicine, you doctor, or pharmacist will have provided you with a Steroid Treatment Card.
Keep this card with you always, it must be shown to any of the following persons:
- Doctor or nurse before having surgery or treatment
- Dentist before having any surgery
- Pharmacist before purchasing any medicine
- Optician prior to an eye test, it is advisable to have regular eye tests
- Any other person who is giving you treatment Even after your treatment has stopped, you must tell any doctor, dentist, pharmacist or other person who is providing you with treatment that you have taken steroids.
3. How to take Prednisolone
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will decide on the most appropriate dose. Method of administration:
For oral use only, Prednisolone can be swallowed whole with a glass of water, but they are best taken dissolved in a glass of water and taken as a drink. Take the tablets as a single dose each morning unless your doctor has instructed otherwise.
Take care to not leave your drink where someone else may take it as your medicine could harm them. Use in adults
The recommended starting dose can vary between 10 mg and 100 mg daily. This will depend entirely on the condition that is being treated with Prednisolone. Your doctor will always reduce to the smallest dose that works for you and may reduce the dose after a few days or weeks depending on how well your condition is responding to the treatment.
Use in children and adolescents
For the treatment of acute asthma attacks in children:
- Children over 2 years of age – the doctor will decide the appropriate dose for your child
- Children under 2 years of age – may be treated with Prednisolone in hospital
Up to three days of treatment for acute asthma attacks is usually enough in children, but may be longer if necessary.
If you take more Prednisolone than you should Contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take the medicine packaging with you and any remaining tablets to show what you have taken.
If you forget to take Prednisolone
If you forget to take Prednisolone, take the next dose as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Prednisolone
Do not stop taking Prednisolone unless you have been told to do so by your doctor, even if you are feeling better.
Stopping Prednisolone suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- sickness
- conjunctivitis (red and sticky eyes)
- itchy skin
- weight loss
- runny nose
- high temperature (fever)
- muscle and joint pain
Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking Prednisolone. They may decide to reduce your dose slowly over a number of weeks. This will help lower the chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following side effects that are related to your mental health, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately:
- feeling depressed or thoughts of suicide or self harm
- having moods that go up and down, or feeling high (mania)
- anxiety, difficulty sleeping, losing your memory, confusion, or not being able to think clearly
- seeing, hearing or feeling things that do not exist, or experiencing frightening thoughts which may effect how you act and/or feel
If you notice itching, skin rash, swelling of the face, lips of throat, breathing difficulties or difficulties in swallowing these may be signs of a severe allergic reaction. If you experience any of these signs stop taking Prednisolone and contact your doctor immediately.
The following side effects have been associated with Prednisolone when given in high doses for a long period of time:
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- generally feeling unwell
- feeling sick (nausea)
- hiccups
- indigestion or discomfort of the stomach
- stomach ulcers which can rupture and bleed, or ulcers in the oesophagus (gullet)
- thrush
- inflammation of the pancreas resulting in abdominal pain (pancreatitis)
- muscle pain
- muscle weakness
- thinning of the bones which makes fractures more likely (osteoporosis)
- tendon damage
- joint stiffness which causes pain, muscle spasms and limited movement
- fluid retention causing swelling
- dehydration
- high blood pressure
- thinning of the skin, bruising, acne, marks which can resemble stretch marks, slower healing of wounds
- small red, blue or purple spots along the skin surface (caused by blood vessels)
- low adrenal gland function
- slowed growth in children and adolescents
- stopped or irregular periods
- swollen or round face (Cushingoid facies)
- excess of hair growth
- increased appetite and associated weight gain
- intolerance to carbohydrates
- changes in moods, dependence, depression, trouble sleeping, worsening of schizophrenia
- worsening of epilepsy
- heart attack, sudden and severe chest pains
- slow heart rate
- changes in body chemistry
- formation of blood clots
- increased levels of white blood cells
- severe headaches with blurred vision or temporary visual disturbance in children (usually after stopping Prednisolone)
- increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), cataracts, thinning and inflammation of the cornea, worsening of viral or fungal eye disease and visual impairment
- blurred vision
- scleroderma renal crisis in patients who already suffer from scleroderma. Signs of scleroderma renal crisis include decreased urine production and increased blood pressure.
weakening of the immune system which can increase the risk of malignancy.
Kaposi’s sarcoma, a cancer consisting of skin lesions that are usually red, purple or brown, has also been reported in patients receiving prednisolone. Stopping treatment may alleviate these symptoms. During treatment it can be easier for you to pick up infections which may very rarely be fatal. Infections such as chickenpox, measles or shingles can be made worse, or tuberculosis may recur.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Prednisolone
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or foil blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store below 25°C.
Store in the original package.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Prednisolone contains
The active substance is prednisolone (as prednisolone sodium phosphate).
Each tablet contains 10 mg of prednisolone Prednisolone 10 mg Soluble Tablets also contain: mono sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, poly vinyl pyrrolidone K-30 (Povidone K 30), polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000), erythrosine (Idacol Erythrosine), saccharine sodium, sodium benzoate.
What Prednisolone looks like and contents of the pack
- Prednisolone 10 mg Soluble Tablets are pink, round, flat, bevelled edges tablets, engraved “10” on one side and break-line on other side.
The tablets are packed in aluminium-aluminium blister strips in cartons of 30 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder
Zentiva Pharma UK Limited
12 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1JP
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Athena IPS
Zone Industrielle N°2,
1 Rue Nungesser,
Prouvy, 59121, France
This leaflet was last revised in February 2026.
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