Prednisolone is used for:

Treating allergies, arthritis, breathing problems (eg, asthma), certain blood disorders, collagen diseases (eg, lupus), certain eye diseases (eg, keratitis), cancer (eg, leukemia), endocrine problems (eg, adrenocortical insufficiency), intestinal problems (eg, ulcerative colitis), swelling due to certain conditions, or skin conditions (eg, psoriasis). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid. It works by modifying the body's immune response to various conditions and decreasing inflammation.

Do NOT use Prednisolone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Prednisolone
• you have a systemic fungal infection, a certain type of malaria, inflammation of the optic nerve, or herpes infection of the eye
• you are scheduled to have a live or attenuated live vaccination (eg, smallpox)
• you are taking mifepristone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Prednisolone :

Some medical conditions may interact with Prednisolone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, diabetes, seizures, an underactive thyroid, adrenal gland problems, or any mental or mood problems
• if you currently have or have recently had a fungal, bacterial, viral, or other type of infection; herpes infection of the eye; chickenpox; measles; or shingles
• if you have HIV infection, tuberculosis (TB) infection, or if you have had ever had a positive TB skin test
• if you have any stomach problems (eg, ulcers), intestinal problems (eg, blockage, perforation, or infection; unexplained diarrhea; diverticulitis; ulcerative colitis), recent intestinal surgery, or inflammation of the esophagus
• if you have weak bones (eg, osteoporosis) or muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis)
• if you have had a recent vaccination (eg, smallpox)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Prednisolone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, ephedrine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Prednisolone 's effectiveness
• Clarithromycin, cyclosporine, estrogens (eg, estradiol), oral contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), or ketoconazole because they may increase the risk of Prednisolone 's side effects
• Anticholinesterases (eg, pyridostigmine), aspirin, methotrexate, mifepristone, ritodrine, water pills (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), or live or attenuated live vaccines because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Prednisolone
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or killed or inactivated vaccines because their effectiveness may be decreased by Prednisolone

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Prednisolone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Prednisolone :

Use Prednisolone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Prednisolone by mouth with food.
• If you miss a dose of Prednisolone and you are taking 1 dose daily, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Prednisolone.

Important safety information:

• Prednisolone may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does.
• If you are taking Prednisolone regularly over a long period of time, carry an ID card at all times that says you take Prednisolone.
• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Prednisolone. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Prednisolone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Prednisolone may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including adrenal function tests, may be performed while you use Prednisolone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Caution is advised when using Prednisolone in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they take Prednisolone.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Prednisolone while you are pregnant. Prednisolone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Prednisolone , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you are on long-term or high dosage therapy and you suddenly stop taking Prednisolone , you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including fever, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, weight loss, weakness, general body discomfort, joint or muscle pain.

Possible side effects of Prednisolone :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Acne; clumsiness; dizziness; facial flushing; feeling of a whirling motion; general body discomfort; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; upset stomach.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in body fat; changes in menstrual period; changes in skin color; chest pain; easy bruising or bleeding; infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat); mental or mood changes (eg, depression); muscle pain, weakness, or wasting; seizures; severe nausea or vomiting; sudden severe dizziness or headache; swelling of feet or legs; tendon or bone pain; thinning of skin; unusual skin sensation; unusual weight gain; vision changes or other eye problems; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.

Other Useful Information:

Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is added to bones by cells called osteoblasts and is removed from bones by cells called osteoclasts. Calcium is essential for healthy bones. It is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, nervous system maintenance, and normal blood clotting. Food sources of calcium include dairy foods, some leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and collards, canned salmon, clams, oysters, calcium-fortified foods, and tofu. According to the National Academy of Sciences, adequate intake of calcium is 1,200 milligrams a day (four glasses of milk) for men and women 51 and older, 1,000 milligrams a day for adults 19 through 50, and 1,300 milligrams a day for children 9 through 18. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2.5 grams daily.

Cavities: Holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient. Larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet - causing toothache.

Naturopathy: A system of therapy based on preventative care, and on the use of heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease. Some naturopaths use no medications, either pharmaceutical or herbal. Some recommend herbal remedies only. A few who are licensed to prescribe may recommend pharmaceuticals in those cases where they feel their use is warranted.

Naturopathy is an American healthcare profession. It was founded in the US as a formal healthcare system at the turn of the 20th century by medical practitioners from various natural therapeutic disciplines. By the early 1900s, more than 20 naturopathic medical schools existed, and naturopathic physicians were licensed in most States. Today there are more than 1,000 licensed naturopathic doctors in the US.

As practiced today, naturopathic medicine integrates traditional natural therapeutics -- including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, traditional oriental medicine, hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy -- with modern scientific medical diagnostic science and standards of care. The medical research base of naturopathic practice consists of empirical documentation of treatments using case history observations, medical records, and summaries of practitioners' clinical experiences.

At present, the two accredited naturopathic medical schools in the US have active research departments. Naturopathic researchers have investigated the pharmacology and physiological effects of nutritional and natural therapeutic agents, and naturopathic physicians have been active in the investigation of new homeopathic remedies and in the natural treatment of women's health problems. The most recently completed naturopathic study in women's health tested the clinical and endocrine effects of a botanical formula as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy.

Blood: The familiar red fluid in the body that contains white and red blood cells, platelets, proteins, and other elements. The blood is transported throughout the body by the circulatory system. Blood functions in two directions: arterial and venous. Arterial blood is the means by which oxygen and nutrients are transported to tissues while venous blood is the means by which carbon dioxide and metabolic by-products are transported to the lungs and kidneys, respectively, for removal from the body.

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It's measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension".

Brain: That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called "hemispheres."

Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.

Doctor: In a medical context, any medical professional with an MD, a PhD, or any other doctoral degree. The term doctor is quite nonspecific. A doctor may, for example, be a physician, psychologist, biomedical scientist, dentist, or veterinarian. In a nonmedical context, a professor of history might be addressed as doctor, an eminent theologian might be named a doctor of a church, and a person awarded an honorary doctorate by a college or university might also be called a doctor.

The word "doctor" comes from the Latin "docere" meaning to teach. A doctor was a teacher, especially a learned or authoritative one.