Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid used to treat adrenocortical insufficiency, inflammatory conditions, and some cancers. Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid similar to cortisol used for its anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-neoplastic, and vasoconstrictive effects.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.
Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.
Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive. High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.
- Primary indication
- Prednisolone is indicated to treat endocrine, rheumatic, and hematologic disorders; collagen, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases; allergic and edematous states; and other conditions like tuberculous meningitis.Curator reviewed · 117 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C21H28O5 · 360.444 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1967 · United States, 1974
- Also known as
- delta-dehydrocortisol · delta-dehydrohydrocortisone · delta-hydrocortisone · delta(1)-Dehydrocortisol · delta(1)-Hydrocortisone
- Code names
- NSC-9120 · NSC-9900
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Prednisolone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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