Prednisolone
In brief
- Prednisolone is listed on Pharmacy Online 24 in four strengths: 5mg (packs of 90 to 360), 10mg (60 to 360), 20mg (30 to 360) and 40mg (30 to 360). UK delivery is 9–21 days.
- As a corticosteroid it reduces inflammation and lowers immune activity, which is why it features in treatment of asthma exacerbations, COPD, lupus, polymyalgia rheumatica, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and severe allergic reactions.
- Among these, 5mg is a standard UK strength while 40mg is not; taking the dose with food in the morning generally causes less indigestion and fewer sleepless nights.
- Following several weeks of use the body produces less natural cortisol, so tablets must not be stopped suddenly; carry a steroid treatment card and ask for advice during vomiting illness or infection.
- Months of treatment may lift blood pressure and glucose, weaken bones, thin skin and invite infection; live vaccines are best avoided. In the UK this is a POM.
Basic prednisolone information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Prednisolone.
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Deltacortril, Deltastab, Pevanti; generic prednisolone
- ATC code: H02AB06.
- Forms and dosages: Tablets 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg; oral suspension or syrup 5 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/5 mL, 15 mg/5 mL; injection 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL; eye drops and cream 0.5% or 1%.
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: AstraZeneca, Teva, Morningside.
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Licensed by the MHRA; prescription-only medicine
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Legal status and availability in the UK
Prednisolone is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
In our online pharmacy, prednisolone is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
What prednisolone is and how it is classified
Prednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid used mainly for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy.
In plain English, it is a glucocorticoid and a systemic steroid medicine that calms excessive inflammation and immune activity.
In pharmacy terms, it sits in the H02AB subgroup, “Corticosteroids for systemic use, plain”, with ATC code H02AB06.
Because it is a prescription-only medicine, it is not supplied over the counter in the UK.
Plain-English definition
That classification matters because prednisolone tablets are not simple painkillers or allergy remedies.
They are corticosteroid medicine designed to reduce immune-driven inflammation, which is why they are used so widely for respiratory, allergic, and autoimmune problems.
ATC classification
The ATC system places prednisolone under H02AB06, which helps pharmacies, prescribers, and product databases identify the same medicine even when brand names differ.
Where it sits in pharmacy terms
It is a systemic corticosteroid and a prescription-only medicine, so supply is controlled and usually linked to a clinical assessment.
How prednisolone works in the body
Many patients want to know why a steroid can help so fast.
The answer is that prednisolone changes how the body handles inflammation and immune signalling.
| Effect | What it means | Why patients notice it |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory action | Reduces swelling, redness, pain, and inflammatory overactivity | Breathing, skin, or joint symptoms may ease within hours to days |
| Immunosuppressive effect | Temporarily calms an overactive immune response | Useful in allergic and autoimmune flare-ups |
| Systemic use | Works throughout the body rather than only at one local site | Helpful when symptoms are widespread or severe |
That is why prednisolone effect can feel fast compared with longer-term treatments.
It is often noticed within hours to days, although the exact response depends on the condition and the prescribed dose.
When prednisolone is prescribed in the UK
Prednisolone uses in the UK are broad, but they mostly sit within a few familiar groups.
People usually get it for a short course when symptoms are flaring, or for a longer plan when inflammation needs ongoing control.
- Respiratory flare-ups: acute asthma and COPD exacerbations are common reasons for steroid tablets for inflammation.
- Allergic conditions: severe allergic reactions and troublesome inflammation may need a short course.
- Autoimmune and inflammatory disease: rheumatoid and similar conditions often need careful titration.
- Adrenal replacement or stress cover: some patients use maintenance doses or temporary increases.
- Eye and skin conditions: local formulations may be used when suitable.
Typical adult starting doses include 40 to 50 mg/day for acute asthma or COPD, 30 to 60 mg/day for severe allergic reaction, 10 to 15 mg/day for rheumatoid or autoimmune disease, and 5 to 7.5 mg/day for adrenal insufficiency.
That is why a patient may be given a very different regimen from someone else even though both are taking prednisolone tablets.
Prednisolone forms, strengths and packaging options
The right product depends on age, swallowing ability, dose accuracy, and whether treatment is systemic or local.
| Form | Common strengths | Packaging examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg | Blisters of 10, 20, 30, or 100 tablets |
| Oral suspension / syrup | 5 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/5 mL, 15 mg/5 mL | 30 mL, 60 mL, or 100 mL bottles |
| Injection | 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL | Single-dose or multi-dose vials |
| Eye drops, cream | 0.5%, 1% | Tubes or dropper bottles |
Blister packs of 10, 20, 30, or 100 tablets are common, while liquid products are usually supplied in 30, 60, or 100 mL bottles.
Injection is normally hospital use only.
For local symptoms, steroid eye drops or cream may be more suitable than tablets.
Brand names
Prednisolone is supplied in the UK under names including Deltacortril, Deltastab and Pevanti, as well as generic prednisolone. UK suppliers include AstraZeneca, Teva and Morningside.
The exact brand name, not just the dose, should be checked before taking prednisolone tablets or liquid.
How prednisolone is prescribed in the UK
Most UK patients access prednisolone through a prescription rather than buying it directly, on an NHS or private prescription, with pharmacist screening before supply.
Prednisolone is licensed by the MHRA and remains prescription only because of the risk of serious side effects.
Standard adult dosing patterns and tapering basics
People often ask whether prednisolone 5mg is a “standard dose”.
The reality is that dosing is condition-specific, and the strength alone does not tell the full story.
| Condition | Typical adult starting dose | Usual pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Acute asthma / COPD | 40 to 50 mg/day by mouth, usually a morning dose | 5 to 7 days, then taper or stop |
| Rheumatoid / autoimmune disease | 10 to 15 mg/day, up to 60 mg | Lowest effective dose, then reduce over weeks or months |
| Severe allergic reaction | 30 to 60 mg/day | Several days, then taper |
| Adrenal insufficiency | 5 to 7.5 mg/day maintenance | Long-term replacement, with higher doses sometimes needed in stress |
Short courses for asthma or COPD are often 5 to 7 days, after which the medicine may be stopped or tapered.
Longer courses usually need gradual reduction so the body can adjust.
The lowest effective dose principle is important because it helps reduce the risk of adverse effects while still treating the condition.
Paediatric use, elderly use, and dose adjustment considerations
Prednisolone for children needs extra care because dose calculation is weight-based and short courses are usually preferred.
Older adults, on the other hand, are more likely to experience complications from long-term steroid use.
Children
Paediatric dosing is usually 1 to 2 mg/kg/day, with a maximum of 40 mg, and short courses often under 7 days.
That is why prednisolone suspension is often chosen when a child needs a precise dose or cannot swallow tablets.
Older adults
Elderly patients should generally receive the lowest effective dose.
They have a higher risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension, especially with longer treatment.
Liver or kidney impairment
Reduced clearance may mean lower doses or changes to tapering are needed.
Pharmacist screening is important here because accumulation can increase toxicity risk.
How to take prednisolone safely
Simple dosing mistakes are common when someone is flustered, so clear instructions matter.
That is especially true when the medicine is started during a busy week or after a late discharge from hospital.
- Take it in the morning if advised, because morning dosing is often preferred.
- Take it with food, as this may help reduce stomach upset.
- Measure liquid carefully using an oral syringe or proper measuring spoon.
- Do not double a missed dose unless a clinician has told you to do so.
- Do not stop abruptly if you have been told to taper.
Oral forms include tablets and suspension or syrup.
Side effects, warnings and when to seek medical help
Prednisolone is not available over the counter for a reason.
It can be very useful, but the side effects can be serious if it is used in the wrong context, at the wrong dose, or for too long.
| Type | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Common side effects | Appetite change, mood changes, indigestion, sleep disturbance | Speak to a pharmacist or prescriber if troublesome |
| Longer-term risks | Osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension | Need ongoing monitoring and regular review |
| Red-flag symptoms | Infection, severe mood change, vision changes, allergic reaction | Seek medical help promptly |
Long-term use increases the risk of bone loss, higher blood sugar, and raised blood pressure.
If a patient develops signs of infection, major mood change, visual disturbance, or any allergic reaction, medical help should be sought without delay.
Interactions and contraindications
Before prednisolone is started, other medicines and relevant medical history should be checked.
- Interaction checks: other steroids, diabetes medicines, NSAIDs, and blood pressure medicines.
- Condition checks: infections, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and stomach ulcer history.
- Pharmacist screening: dose confirmation, duration, and whether the chosen form suits the patient.
Choosing the right prednisolone product format
Choosing the best prednisolone form is usually about practicality first and brand name second.
The same medicine can be supplied as tablets, liquid, local treatment, or hospital injection depending on what the patient needs.
| Situation | Most suitable form | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard adult use | Tablets, 1 mg to 25 mg | Flexible and familiar for short courses or tapers |
| Children or swallowing difficulty | Oral suspension, 5 mg/5 mL to 15 mg/5 mL | Allows more precise dose adjustment |
| Localised eye or skin treatment | Eye drops or cream, 0.5% or 1% | Targets the problem area directly |
| Severe or supervised care | Injection, 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, or 40 mg/mL | Hospital use only and monitored closely |
Tablets are often best for standard adult use.
Liquid is better when dose precision matters or swallowing is difficult.
Local forms are appropriate when the condition is limited to the eye or skin.
Injection is reserved for severe cases under supervised care.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | Greater London | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | North West England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | North West England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | West Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | South Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | South West England | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | North East England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | East Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | East Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
Final practical points on prednisolone
Prednisolone is a well-established corticosteroid medicine used mainly for inflammation and immune-related conditions.
It is prescription only in the UK, available in several forms, and commonly dispensed as Deltacortril, Deltastab or Pevanti, or as generic prednisolone, depending on the product supplied.
For the right patient, at the right dose, it can work quickly and effectively.
For anyone taking prednisolone tablets, prednisolone suspension, or a local formulation, the safest approach is still the same: check the prescription, confirm the dose, and make sure the form matches the condition being treated.
