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Prednisolone

PrescriptionCDSCO approved
Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid
Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team
Species
Dog, Cat
Brands
4 available
Interactions
27 documented
Formulations
5

Mechanism of action

Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to produce anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-allergic effects

At a glance

Class
Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid
Schedule
Prescription
Storage
Store below 25°C, protect from light and moisture
CDSCO (India)
Vet-approved — 1960-01

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Anti-inflammatory
Dose
0.5–1 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID-BID
Max dose
40 mg/dose; 80 mg/day
Duration: 5-7 days, then taper
Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP)
Dose
2–4 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
BID (initially), then taper
Max dose
80 mg/dose; 160 mg/day
Duration: Weeks to months — slow taper over 3-6 months
Lymphoma (CHOP protocol component)
Dose
2 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID
Max dose
80 mg
Duration: Per chemotherapy protocol
🐈

Cat

Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease
Dose
0.5–2 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID-BID
Max dose
20 mg/dose; 40 mg/day
Duration: 5-7 days, then taper
Inflammatory bowel disease
Dose
1–3 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID-BID
Max dose
20 mg/dose; 40 mg/day
Duration: 2-4 weeks then gradual taper
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Tablet — 4

Strength
5mg
Available in India
Strength
10mg
Available in India
Strength
20mg
Available in India
Strength
40mg
Available in India
🧴

Oral solution — 1

Strength
3mg/mL
Available in India

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light and moisture

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

  • Systemic fungal infections
    Immunosuppression worsens fungal disease
  • Concurrent live vaccines
    Immunosuppressive doses prevent vaccine response and risk vaccine-induced disease
    Live vaccines
  • Concurrent NSAIDs
    Dramatically increases GI ulceration risk
    MeloxicamCarprofenFirocoxib

Use with caution

  • Diabetes mellitus
    Causes insulin resistance — may worsen glycaemic control
  • GI ulceration history
    Use with gastroprotection (omeprazole, sucralfate)

Adverse effects

Common
Polyuria/polydipsia
Polyphagia
Panting
Muscle weakness
Hepatomegaly (steroid hepatopathy)
Serious
GI ulceration/perforation
Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome
Diabetes mellitus
Pancreatitis
Adrenal suppression (chronic use)
Immunosuppression with secondary infections

Monitoring parameters

Blood glucoseLiver enzymes (ALP, ALT)UPC ratioCortisol levels if taperingBody weightPU/PD assessment
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Interactions

Contraindicated — 1

Phenylbutazone
contraindicated
Phenylbutazone (highest GI toxicity of all NSAIDs) + corticosteroid: extremely high risk of fatal GI perforation.
Management: NEVER combine. Phenylbutazone already has a very narrow safety margin — adding steroid is extremely dangerous.

Major — 17

Meloxicam
major
NSAID + corticosteroid dramatically increases risk of GI ulceration and perforation
Management: AVOID concurrent use. Allow 3-5 day washout between drugs. If overlap unavoidable, add GI protectant (omeprazole + sucralfate).
Carprofen
major
NSAID + corticosteroid dramatically increases risk of GI ulceration and perforation
Management: AVOID concurrent use. Allow 3-5 day washout between drugs.
Glipizide
major
Corticosteroids cause insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia, directly opposing glipizide's hypoglycaemic effect
Management: Avoid concurrent use in diabetic patients. If corticosteroid is essential, monitor blood glucose intensively and increase glipizide/insulin dose.
Piroxicam
major
Combined NSAID + corticosteroid use greatly increases risk of GI ulceration and perforation
Management: Avoid concurrent use. If unavoidable, add GI protectant (omeprazole + sucralfate) and monitor for melena.
Deracoxib
major
COX-2 selective NSAID + corticosteroid still carries significant GI ulceration risk despite COX-2 selectivity.
Management: Avoid concurrent use. COX-2 selectivity does not eliminate risk when combined with corticosteroids.
Firocoxib
major
NSAID + corticosteroid: additive GI ulceration risk regardless of COX-2 selectivity.
Management: Avoid concurrent use. Allow 3-5 day washout when transitioning.
Insulin, Glargine
major
Corticosteroids cause insulin resistance by increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and reducing peripheral glucose uptake, directly antagonizing insulin therapy.
Management: Insulin dose may need 50-100% increase during corticosteroid therapy. Monitor blood glucose curves closely. Adjust insulin when tapering steroids (hypoglycemia risk on discontinuation).
Insulin, NPH (Isophane)
major
Corticosteroid-induced insulin resistance destabilizes diabetic control.
Management: Closely monitor blood glucose. Significant insulin dose adjustments likely needed. Hypoglycemia risk when steroid discontinued.
Insulin, Lente (Porcine)
major
Corticosteroid-induced insulin resistance. Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and decrease peripheral glucose uptake, directly antagonizing insulin.
Management: Avoid steroids in diabetic patients. If essential, monitor glucose curves closely. Expect 50-100% insulin dose increase. Hypoglycemia risk when steroid tapered.
Insulin, PZI (Protamine Zinc)
major
Corticosteroid-induced insulin resistance destabilizes diabetic control in cats.
Management: Avoid if possible. If steroid needed (e.g., IBD in diabetic cat), monitor glucose intensively and adjust insulin dose. Budesonide may be preferred (less systemic effect).
Insulin, Regular (Crystalline Zinc)
major
Corticosteroids cause insulin resistance, counteracting insulin therapy in DKA management.
Management: Avoid steroids during DKA stabilization. Address underlying steroid need after DKA resolved.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)
major
Aspirin (irreversible COX inhibition + direct GI irritant) + corticosteroid: very high GI ulceration risk. Also, steroids increase aspirin clearance.
Management: Avoid concurrent use. If low-dose aspirin antiplatelet therapy needed with steroids, add omeprazole + misoprostol and monitor closely for melena.
Metformin
major
Corticosteroids directly antagonize metformin's insulin-sensitizing effect by increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance.
Management: Avoid steroids with metformin. If unavoidable, metformin alone will be inadequate — insulin therapy likely needed.
Etodolac
major
NSAID + corticosteroid: additive GI ulceration risk. Etodolac specifically also causes KCS — corticosteroids may mask inflammatory signs.
Management: Do not combine. Allow 3-5 day washout when switching.
Ketorolac
major
NSAID + corticosteroid: ketorolac is a particularly potent NSAID with high GI ulceration risk. Combined with steroid: very dangerous.
Management: Do not combine. Allow 3-5 day washout.
Mavacoxib
major
Long-acting NSAID (80-day half-life) + corticosteroid: extremely dangerous because mavacoxib CANNOT be rapidly discontinued if GI ulceration occurs.
Management: NEVER combine. The extremely long half-life of mavacoxib means that if toxicity occurs, the drug persists for weeks. Allow 3+ month washout of mavacoxib before steroid.
Tolfenamic Acid
major
NSAID + corticosteroid: additive GI ulceration risk.
Management: Do not combine. Allow 3-5 day washout when switching.

Moderate — 6

Furosemide
moderate
Both cause potassium loss; combined use increases risk of hypokalaemia
Management: Monitor serum potassium. Consider potassium supplementation if concurrent use is prolonged.
Rifampicin
moderate
Rifampicin induces CYP3A4 metabolism of corticosteroids, reducing prednisolone efficacy by ~50%.
Management: May need to double corticosteroid dose during rifampicin therapy. Monitor clinical response.
Trilostane
moderate
Trilostane inhibits adrenal cortisol synthesis. Exogenous prednisolone supplementation may be needed during Addisonian crisis but interferes with ACTH stimulation test interpretation.
Management: Keep prednisolone available for emergency (Addisonian crisis). When performing ACTH stim test for trilostane monitoring, withhold prednisolone for 24h before test.
Acarbose
moderate
Steroid-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis increases fasting glucose. Acarbose only reduces postprandial glucose absorption — cannot compensate for steroid effect.
Management: Monitor glucose. Acarbose alone insufficient for steroid-induced hyperglycemia.
Mitotane (o,p'-DDD)
moderate
Mitotane destroys adrenal cortex. Exogenous prednisolone needed for Addisonian crisis but interferes with ACTH stim test interpretation.
Management: Keep prednisolone available for emergencies. Withhold prednisolone 24h before ACTH stim tests for mitotane monitoring.
Cholestyramine
moderate
Cholestyramine may bind corticosteroids in GI tract, reducing absorption.
Management: Separate oral administration by at least 2 hours.

Minor — 3

Metronidazole
minor
Corticosteroids may mask signs of infection; no direct pharmacokinetic interaction
Management: Monitor for signs of GI irritation. Acceptable combination with monitoring.
Chlorambucil
minor
Common therapeutic combination but corticosteroids may increase immunosuppression risk
Management: Standard COP protocol combination. Monitor CBC regularly for myelosuppression.
Cyclosporine (Systemic)
minor
Prednisolone may reduce cyclosporine clearance modestly. Both immunosuppressive — additive immune suppression. Intentionally used combination.
Management: Standard combination for IMHA and immune-mediated disease. Monitor for infection.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Brands

India

Wysolone
Pfizer
Omnacortil
Macleods
Prednivet
Virbac

International

Pred Forte
Allergan

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is Prednisolone?
Prednisolone is a intermediate-acting glucocorticoid used in pets. Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to produce anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-allergic effects
What is Prednisolone used for in pets?
Prednisolone is used in veterinary medicine for: Anti-inflammatory; Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP); Lymphoma (CHOP protocol component); Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease; Inflammatory bowel disease.
What is the Prednisolone dose for dogs?
For dogs, Prednisolone is typically dosed as follows — Anti-inflammatory: 0.5–1 mg/kg PO SID-BID; Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP): 2–4 mg/kg PO BID (initially), then taper; Lymphoma (CHOP protocol component): 2 mg/kg PO SID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What is the Prednisolone dose for cats?
For cats, Prednisolone is typically dosed as follows — Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease: 0.5–2 mg/kg PO SID-BID; Inflammatory bowel disease: 1–3 mg/kg PO SID-BID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What are the side effects of Prednisolone?
Common: Polyuria/polydipsia, Polyphagia, Panting, Muscle weakness, Hepatomegaly (steroid hepatopathy). Serious (call your vet immediately): GI ulceration/perforation, Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, Diabetes mellitus, Pancreatitis, Adrenal suppression (chronic use).
Does Prednisolone need a prescription?
Yes. Prednisolone is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.
When should Prednisolone not be used?
Do not use Prednisolone if: Systemic fungal infections; Concurrent live vaccines; Concurrent NSAIDs.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

References

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
  • NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
  • Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
  • AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
  • ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
  • RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

  • EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
  • JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

  • CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

  • Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database

Related medicines

Other medicines in the same class (Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid).

Methylprednisolone
Rx
Synthetic glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties; slightly more potent than prednisolone with less mineralocorticoid activity
dogcat
Triamcinolone
Rx
Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to reduce inflammation and immune response; intermediate potency with minimal mineralocorticoid activity
dogcat
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