Last reviewed: 12 March 2026
Key points
- Prednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation.
- It is often used in asthma, allergic disease, and some forms of aspergillosis such as Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA).
- Prednisolone can be very effective, but it can also cause short-term and long-term side effects.
- It should usually be taken with food, and it is important not to stop it suddenly unless a doctor advises this.
- If you take steroids regularly, you may need a steroid emergency card or similar treatment record.
Different types of steroid treatment
| Type of steroid | Examples | How it is used | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral steroids | Prednisolone | Tablets taken by mouth | Severe asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), severe inflammation |
| Inhaled steroids | Beclometasone, Budesonide, Fluticasone | Delivered directly into the lungs via inhaler | Long-term control of asthma inflammation |
| Steroid injections | Hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone | Injection into muscle or vein | Emergency treatment of severe asthma or allergic reactions |
| Nasal steroids | Mometasone, fluticasone nasal spray | Sprayed into the nose | Sinus inflammation, allergic rhinitis, fungal sinusitis |
Although these medicines belong to the same steroid family, they work in different ways depending on how they are delivered.
Oral steroids such as prednisolone affect the whole body, which is why they can be very effective but also have more potential side effects than inhaled or nasal steroids.
Table of contents
Overview
Prednisolone belongs to a group of medicines called glucocorticoids, often simply called steroids. These medicines reduce inflammation and suppress parts of the immune response.
Prednisolone is commonly used to help control inflammatory and allergic conditions such as:
- asthma,
- Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA),
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- inflammatory bowel disease such as colitis,
- other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.
In aspergillosis care, steroids are mainly used when the problem is driven by inflammation or allergy, rather than when the main issue is fungal infection alone.
Prednisolone is available in several forms, including:
- tablets,
- soluble tablets,
- injections,
- enteric-coated tablets.
Enteric-coated tablets are designed to pass through the stomach before dissolving, which may reduce stomach irritation in some people.
Before taking prednisolone
Before starting prednisolone, make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows if any of the following apply to you:
- you are pregnant, trying for a baby, or breastfeeding,
- you have recently had surgery, trauma, severe illness or are under major stress,
- you have an infection, or have recently been in contact with someone with chickenpox, shingles or measles,
- you have tuberculosis (TB), septicaemia or a history of serious infection,
- you have high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, liver disease or kidney problems,
- you have diabetes, glaucoma or osteoporosis,
- you have a history of stomach ulcers or significant digestive problems,
- you have mental health problems, including psychosis, depression or severe mood changes,
- you have myasthenia gravis,
- you have recently had, or are due to have, a vaccination,
- you are taking any other medicines, including over-the-counter, herbal or complementary medicines,
- you have ever had an allergic reaction to prednisolone or another medicine.
How to take prednisolone
Always take prednisolone exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Take each dose with or just after food.
- If taking it once daily, it is often best taken in the morning, usually after breakfast.
- If you are prescribed soluble prednisolone, dissolve it in water before taking it.
- If you are prescribed enteric-coated tablets, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew them.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time each day.
- Never take more than the prescribed dose.
Do not stop taking prednisolone suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. If you have been taking steroids for more than a short time, your body may need time to start making its own natural steroid hormones again. Stopping suddenly can be dangerous.
If you think you or someone else has taken too much prednisolone, seek medical advice urgently and take the medication container with you if possible.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) supplied with your medicine.
- Check with a pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medicines alongside prednisolone.
- If you are given a steroid treatment card or steroid emergency card, carry it with you.
- Tell any doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or surgeon that you are taking steroids.
- Do not have vaccinations without checking with your doctor first.
- If you come into contact with someone who has chickenpox, shingles or measles, seek medical advice promptly.
Longer-term steroid treatment may require monitoring for:
- blood pressure,
- blood sugar,
- bone health,
- eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma,
- adrenal suppression.
Important: adrenal suppression and inhaled steroids
Long-term use of oral steroids such as prednisolone can reduce the body’s natural production of steroid hormones. This is called adrenal suppression.
This effect is much less common with inhaled steroids, but it can occur in some situations, particularly when:
- very high doses of inhaled steroids are used,
- inhaled steroids are taken for long periods,
- inhaled steroids are used together with antifungal medicines such as itraconazole or voriconazole,
- oral steroids have also been used.
If adrenal suppression occurs, suddenly stopping steroid treatment can lead to a serious condition called adrenal crisis.
For this reason, doctors usually reduce steroid doses gradually and may monitor patients with blood tests if long-term treatment is required.
If you feel extremely weak, dizzy, nauseated, or collapse during illness or after stopping steroids, seek urgent medical attention.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, prednisolone can cause side effects. Not everybody gets them, and some are more likely with higher doses or longer treatment courses.
Common or important side effects
- indigestion or stomach irritation,
- increased appetite and weight gain,
- difficulty sleeping,
- mood changes, anxiety or irritability,
- raised blood sugar,
- fluid retention,
- increased risk of infection,
- thrush,
- slower wound healing,
- easy bruising and thinning of the skin.
Longer-term side effects
- osteoporosis (thinning of the bones),
- muscle weakness or muscle wasting,
- cataracts or glaucoma,
- changes in body shape such as weight gain around the face or upper body,
- suppression of the adrenal glands,
- menstrual changes,
- worsening of diabetes or high blood pressure.
Mental health side effects
Steroids can affect mood and thinking. Some people feel:
- more energetic or “high”,
- anxious or agitated,
- low in mood,
- unable to sleep,
- confused or mentally unwell in more severe cases.
Tell your doctor promptly if you notice significant mood or behaviour changes.
If you develop side effects, do not stop the medicine suddenly unless you are told to do so by a doctor. Sometimes side effects improve as the dose is reduced, or an alternative treatment may be considered.
When to get urgent help
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop:
- severe infection symptoms such as high fever, shaking, or confusion,
- black stools, vomiting blood, or severe stomach pain,
- sudden changes in vision,
- severe mood change, suicidal thoughts, or psychotic symptoms,
- signs of adrenal crisis such as severe weakness, vomiting, dizziness or collapse, especially after suddenly reducing or stopping steroids,
- significant worsening of breathing or allergic symptoms.
How to store prednisolone
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and light.
- Do not use out-of-date medication.
- Return unwanted medicines to a pharmacist for safe disposal.
Further information
Patient Information Leaflets (PIL):
NHS has also provided advice for patients taking prednisolone.
You may also find general corticosteroid information helpful, including:
- how steroids work,
- why they are prescribed,
- their risks and benefits,
- what monitoring may be needed.
Author and review information
Author: Aspergillosis Website Editorial Team
Audience: Patients, carers, GPs and non-specialists
Last reviewed: 12 March 2026