From the FDA Drug Label
The initial dose of prednisolone sodium phosphate oral solution, (15 mg prednisolone base) may vary from 1. 67 mL to 20 mL (5 to 60 mg prednisolone base) per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. If after long term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly
The dose of Prednisolone for an adult for 5 days is not explicitly stated in the label. However, the label does provide a range of initial doses from 5 to 60 mg of prednisolone base per day.
- The label does not provide a specific dose for a 5-day treatment period.
- To determine a suitable dose, the disease entity being treated and the patient's response should be considered.
- The label recommends that the dose be individualized and adjusted based on the patient's response.
- It is also recommended that the drug be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly after long-term therapy 1.
From the Research
For adult patients, a typical 5-day course of prednisolone involves taking 40-60 mg once daily in the morning with food, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 2. The exact dosage depends on the condition being treated, with 40 mg commonly used for asthma exacerbations and up to 60 mg for severe inflammatory conditions. Take the full dose in the morning to mimic the body's natural cortisol rhythm and reduce sleep disturbances. Always take prednisolone with food to minimize stomach irritation. For a short 5-day course, you typically don't need to taper the dose at the end of treatment. Common side effects may include increased appetite, mood changes, and elevated blood sugar. Prednisolone works by suppressing inflammation and immune responses in the body. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or are taking other medications, consult your healthcare provider before starting this medication as dose adjustments may be needed.
Some key points to consider when prescribing prednisolone include:
- The dose and duration of treatment should be individualized based on the patient's response and the severity of the condition being treated 3.
- The use of prednisolone in patients with severe asthma is related to the degree of eosinophilic airway inflammation, and responsiveness to oral prednisolone is closely related to the degree of eosinophilic airway inflammation 4.
- Adrenal insufficiency is a potential risk of long-term glucocorticoid treatment, and patients should be monitored for signs of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment 5.
It's also important to note that the evidence is not strong enough to reveal whether shorter or lower-dose regimens are generally less effective than longer or higher-dose regimens, or indeed that the latter are associated with more adverse events 2. Therefore, any changes recommended for current practice should be supported by data from larger, well-designed trials. Greater emphasis on palatability and on whether some regimens might be easier to adhere to than others could better inform clinical decisions for individual patients.