Adverse reactions/side effects are much more common with high-dose/long-term therapy
CNS: depression, euphoria, headache, ↑ intracranial pressure (children only), personality changes, psychoses, restlessness.
EENT: cataracts, ↑ intraocular pressure.
CV: hypertension.
GI: PEPTIC ULCERATION, anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Derm: acne, ↓wound healing, ecchymoses, fragility, hirsutism, petechiae.
Endo: adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia.
F and E: fluid retention (long-term high doses), hypokalemia, hypokalemic alkalosis.
Hemat: THROMBOEMBOLISM, thrombophlebitis.
Metab: weight gain, weight loss.
MS: muscle wasting, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of joints, muscle pain.
Misc: cushingoid appearance (moon face, buffalo hump), ↑ susceptibility to infection.
Therapeutic Classification: corticosteroids (intermediate acting), immune modifiers
Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.
Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the placenta and probably enters breast milk.
Metabolism/Excretion: Converted by the liver to prednisolone, which is then metabolized by the liver.
Half-life: 3.4–3.8 hr (plasma), 18–36 hr (tissue); adrenal suppression lasts 1.25–1.5 days.
(anti-inflammatory activity)
