Prednisolone as a Representative of Corticosteroids Drugs
Prednisolone is an oral corticosteroid. Naturally corticosteroids are produced by our body on a daily basis. Without them it would be impossible to survive. They are made in the adrenal glands. Prednisolone is the corticosteroid most often used in medical treatment. It is not exactly the same as those corticosteroids produced in our body.
Under the notion "an oral corticosteroid" stands the fact that Prednisolone is taken in tablet form by mouth. It also exists in the form of injections or oral liquid.
Prednisolone tablets are applied to treat many skin diseases and disorders including chronic ones such as various forms of dermatitis (atopic, contact), severe psoriasis, severe seborrheic dermatitis, pemphigus. Prednisolone tablets reduce inflammation and help clear rashes, itching, burning or at least control them. They are used for various blistering skin conditions, inflammatory conditions of skin blood vessels and many other skin problems.
Dosage requirements of Prednisolone vary among individuals and depend on the diseases being treated, weight and body size, age, general response to the therapy. The usual starting dosage range is 5 mg to 60 mg depending on the disease being treated. There can be applied a high dose of Prednosolone (100mg), when, for example, pemphigus is being treated. The dosage form in oral liquid is frequently used for children and for people who have difficulty in swallowing tablets.
Prednisolone as other corticosteroids is associated with potential side effects and many people are fearful of using it. One should be aware of the fact that short courses of Prednisolone (days to a week or two) are well tolerated with few or mild side effects. As for long terms, high dose of prednisolone usually produces serious side effects. Depending on the disease being treated, doctors fix the dose of Prednisolone so that it will be adjusted to reduce the risk of side effects. Depending on the disease being treated, doctors may prescribe initially the high dose of Prednisolone in order to bring the skin under control and after that the dose will be slowly reduced. However, people being on Prednisolone treatment should be ready for such possible side effects as high blood pressure, tinning and softening of bones, increase in weight, indigestion, muscle weakness, skin thinning, bruising, impaired healing of cuts, a risk of stretch marks, and appearance of acne on the trunk and around the mouth.