Prednisolone Over the Counter – Glucocorticosteroids (also called glucocorticoids or corticosteroids) are natural or synthetic drugs that have the properties of the adrenal cortex. Natural ones include cortisone, hydrocortisone, etc. Prednisolone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, and dexamethasone are the most common synthetic drugs. This article describes the features of prednisone and its use in the treatment of various diseases.
What is Prednisolone
Prednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity. It is a dehydrated analog of hydrocortisone in the chemical structure. Its glucocorticoid activity is four times higher than that of hydrocortisone, but the mineralocorticoid activity is lower.
Prednisolone is generally considered one of the main glucocorticoids for anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapy. But it is not suitable as a sole therapy for primary adrenal insufficiency due to its low mineralocorticoid activity.
Drug Name: |
Prednisolone |
|---|---|
| Tablet Strength: | 40mg, 20mg, 10mg, 5mg |
| Price: | $0.29 Per Pill |
| Payment: |  |
Where to Buy Prednisolone? |
Visit Canadian Pharmacy |
| *Before making any purchase, please ensure to consult with your healthcare provider. | |
Prednisolone Usage
Prednisolone effectively copes with:
- Allergic reactions;
- Respiratory diseases;
- Rheumatologic diseases;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Skin conditions;
- Gastrointestinal diseases;
- Other conditions.
Each of the usages is briefly described below.
Allergic Reactions
Prednisolone is most commonly used in the treatment of acute and chronic allergic diseases, including food and drug allergies, hay fever condition, serum sickness, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, angioedema, bronchial asthma, toxicoderma, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Respiratory Diseases
Prednisolone is effective in treating adults and children with respiratory diseases. The drug is usually prescribed to reduce the severe symptoms of aspiration pneumonitis, berylliosis, miliary tuberculosis of the lungs (when used simultaneously with appropriate anti-TB chemotherapy), Loeffler’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, etc.
Rheumatologic Diseases
The synthetic glucocorticosteroid prednisolone is also used in modern rheumatology practice. It helps with acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, undifferentiated polyarthritis, and Still syndrome.
Autoimmune Diseases
Studies confirm that prednisolone weakens the immune system response, thereby protecting healthy cells from destruction. Therefore, the medication is used in the treatment of autoimmune patients. Most often, it is prescribed by doctors in case of acute glomerulonephritis.
Skin Conditions
Prednisolone ointment is used as part of complex therapy for inflammatory and allergic skin diseases of non-infectious etiology:
- Eczema;
- Seborrheic dermatitis;
- Psoriasis;
- Cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus;
- Erythroderma, etc.
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Pills and injections with the active ingredient prednisolone are indicated for people with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, local enteritis, esophagitis, gastritis, and peptic ulcer).
Other Conditions
Other health conditions requiring prednisolone use are:
- Connective tissue inflammation;
- Multiple sclerosis;
- Adrenal insufficiency;
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia;
- Adrenogenital syndrome;
- Subacute thyroiditis;
- Hepatitis;
- Immunodeficiency caused by HIV infection;
- Hypoglycemia;
- Blood diseases;
- Postoperative cerebral edema;
- Eye problems;
- Hypercalcemia, etc.
Feel free to consult a doctor and ask about the advisability of taking the drug in your particular case.
How Does Prednisolone Work?
Prednisolone has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, desensitizing, anti-shock, and immunosuppressive effects. The action of the drug is realized by stabilizing cell membranes, inhibiting the accumulation of macrophages, reducing the migration of leukocytes, and reducing capillary permeability, which prevents the development of edema.
Prednisolone inhibits phagocytosis, affects the metabolism of arachidonic acid, as well as the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. The immunosuppressive effect of prednisolone is due to the inhibition of the T- and B-lymphocytes activity and a decrease in the blood complement.
The substance has a catabolic effect, increases the level of glucose in the blood. It exhibits some mineralocorticoid activity, enhances the reabsorption of Na+ and water in the renal tubules and the excretion of K+ and Ca+ from the body, especially when their level in the blood plasma raises. Prednisolone also suppresses the synthesis and secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormones by the pituitary gland and glucocorticosteroids by the adrenal glands.
Prednisolone Dosage
The steroid prednisolone is available in the form of tablets, injections, and ointments. The dosage directly depends on the form of release used.
- Pills are usually prescribed at a dose of 20-30 mg/day with a gradual transition to a maintenance daily dose of 5-10 mg;
- The dose of injectable prednisolone depends on the severity of the disease. As a rule, it varies from 4 to 60 mg per day. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly;
Prednisolone ointment should be applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 1-3 times a day.
The duration of the treatment cycle is approximately 1 week.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects caused by the glucocorticosteroid activity of prednisolone include fluid and Na+ retention (peripheral swelling), hypernatremia, hypokalemia syndrome (arrhythmia, myalgia, muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue).
Prednisolone vs Prednisone
Prednisolone и prednisone counter are highly effective steroid drugs belonging to the corticosteroid class. This is their main similarity. Key differences include:
- Prednisone is a prodrug that is activated to prednisolone in the liver. Prednisolone is an active medication;
- Prednisone should not be prescribed to patients with liver problems. Prednisolone can be used in this case because it is not activated in the liver;
- Prednisolone and prednisone have steroid cores, but their functional groups and steroid mass are different;
- Prednisolone is for oral use, while prednisolone can be used orally, by injection, or topically;
- The effect of prednisone is less compared to prednisolone.
Can I Buy Prednisolone Over the Counter?
Prednisolone can be easily bought at the pharmacy if you have a prescription. As for prednisolone over the counter usa, it’s only available online. You can buy prednisone from our store and no prednisone prescription is required. Just order prednisolone online, pay for the order using your bank card, and get prednisolone otc delivery in a short time.
By the way, you can also buy prednisone counter and other drugs you need in high quality online. But first, consult a doctor and find out what kind of medicine you need.
Prednisolone Over the Counter – Summary
Prednisolone is a hormonal drug of synthetic origin, aimed at minimizing such pathological conditions as inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, toxic shock, activation of the immune system after transplantation, etc. Consult your medical provider about the need to use the drug and order it without a prescription online in a matter of minutes!
FAQ
What is a good substitute for prednisolone?
Prednisone, dexamethasone, methotrexate, mycophenolate, mercaptopurine, azathioprine, and leflunomide may be good substitutes for prednisolone.
Can you buy steroid medication over the counter?
You are unlikely to be able to buy a steroid without a prescription at a pharmacy. But you can easily buy it over the counter online.
Can you buy prednisolone at the store?
You can buy prednisolone from the online store without any difficulty.
Is ibuprofen an alternative to prednisolone?
Ibuprofen refers to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs while prednisolone is a corticosteroid. However, both drugs help to cope with inflammation, so ibuprofencan be considered an alternative.