From the Guidelines
1-2 drops of prednisolone daily for 10 days is not a standard or recommended treatment regimen for any condition, as the typical dosing is based on weight (1–2 mg kg-1) and the concentration of the medication is unknown. The provided evidence from the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of pemphigus vulgaris 2017 1 suggests that the initial therapy with low-dose prednisolone (30–60 mg per day) was compared with high-dose prednisolone (120–180 mg per day) in patients with severe pemphigus, and there was no significant difference in the duration to achieve initial disease control or in relapse rates at 5 years. However, this study does not provide information on the use of prednisolone eye drops.
When considering the use of prednisolone, it is essential to follow a dosing regimen that is tailored to the individual's disease severity and medical history. The guidelines suggest that milder cases may be treated with more conservative corticosteroid doses such as 0.5–1 mg kg-1, and that treatment failure for oral corticosteroids has been defined by international consensus as failure to achieve disease control despite 3 weeks of prednisolone 15 mg kg-1 per day or equivalent 1.
Key considerations for the use of prednisolone include:
- The dose should be increased in 50–100% increments until disease control is achieved, defined as no new lesions and the onset of healing in pre-existing ones 1
- If prednisolone doses above 1 mg kg-1 per day are required, pulsed intravenous corticosteroids should be considered 1
- Potential side effects of long-term corticosteroid use include increased intraocular pressure, cataract formation, and rarely, infection if the medication contains steroids without antimicrobial coverage.
It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosing regimen and treatment plan for the specific medical condition being treated. The safety and efficacy of 1-2 drops of prednisolone daily for 10 days cannot be determined without further information on the concentration of the medication, the patient's medical history, and the specific condition being treated.
From the Research
Safety of 1-2 Drops Daily of Prednisolone for 10 Days
- The safety of 1-2 drops daily of prednisolone for 10 days is not directly addressed in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies provide information on the safety of prednisolone in various doses and formulations.
- A study on the fracture risk associated with systemic and topical corticosteroids found that an increased risk of fracture was present with oral prednisolone doses of more than 2.5 mg per day 4.
- Another study on the long-term use of low-dose prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis found that doses of less than 5 mg per day were effective and had minimal adverse effects 5.
- A study on the use of daily low-dose prednisolone to prevent relapse in children with nephrotic syndrome found that 6 days of prednisolone at 15 mg/m2 daily did not reduce the risk of relapse 3.
- The provided studies do not specifically address the safety of 1-2 drops daily of prednisolone for 10 days, and more research would be needed to determine the safety of this specific regimen.
Potential Risks and Considerations
- The use of prednisolone, even at low doses, may be associated with potential risks such as osteoporosis, cataracts, and glaucoma 4, 5.
- The safety of prednisolone in pediatric patients is a concern, as systemic corticosteroids may give rise to significant but asymptomatic ocular hypertension 2.
- The dosage and duration of prednisolone treatment should be carefully considered and monitored by a healthcare professional to minimize potential risks and adverse effects.