Prednisolone vs. Prednisone

[Ozark]

Does anyone feel there is any advantage to taking prednisolone vs. prednisone, and if you've taken prednisolone what has been your experience with it?

[pmrkitty]

Prednisone is prescribed in the States and Prednisolone is in the UK. As far as I know there is no difference.

[SheffieldJane]

I seem to remember PMRPro explaining to someone that there actually was a difference. I can’t remember what It was I’m afraid. Something about it’s action I think.

[YuliK]

healthline.com/health/ulcer...

This link gives all the answers.

Looks like the same treatment for pmr by both.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, Prednisone does the same thing but first has to be broken down in the liver to become Prednisolone. So same effect, just one step removed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

So one would assume that Prednisolone is easier on the body than Prednisone? Or us that too simplistic?

[SnazzyD in reply to DorsetLady]

No idea. Depends I guess if it’s like a ‘toxin’ that needs metabolising like alcohol or whether it’s benign. I suppose as always there will be some who don’t do it as efficiently for whom Prednisolone would cut out the middle man. Any pharmacists here?? PMRPro where are you?

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

PMRPro has written on this subject several times & it’s dependant on where we live US/UK on what we’re prescribed, l have just woke up so l’m not fully alert but Prednisone is metabolised in the Liver first & the Chemical Makeup is slightly different but they have the same effect.

Pro will explain far better than a Sleepy MrsN 😴

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Working my way through the inbox - and I leave all the new threads to the end as I have to read all the way through the replies!!

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

It wasn’t a nag 🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Just saying where I was. That I hadn't left ...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is no real difference except prednisolone puts less strain on the liver and is faster to act: prednisone must be processed in the liver to turn it into prednisolone which is the active form of the drug. Which takes about an hour more than simply being absorbed. Patients with liver problems are probably better on prednisolone as it would probably be more reliable.

I've been on both, really can't say there is any difference. There is also methylprednisolone, prednisolone with an added bit of structure in the form of a methyl group and which is said to make it more effective. Trouble is it also makes it tend to have more side effects as well. I found it absolutely awful!!!!