Prednisone

17,21 -dihydroxy- 1,4- pregnadiene - 3,11,20 -trione

• A07EA03
• H02AB07

Glucocorticoids

236-238 ° C

Attention

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Prednisone ( formerly known as Metacortandracin ) is a synthetic glucocorticoid. It is a precursor and is converted in the liver to the active drug prednisolone.

Use

Prednisone is a potent immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents. It can be used in many disorders in which the immune system is causally involved ( autoimmune diseases ), an inflammatory reaction of the body is not allowed (for example, asthma and allergy) or, for example for the prevention of graft rejection after organ transplantation.

History

Prednisone was in the early 1950s, discovered by Arthur Nobile, an employee of the company Schering-Plough/USA and 1955 approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the early 1960s prednisone was sold under the brand name Meticorten.

Dependence

When prednisone is taken for longer than seven days, it comes to limiting the body's production of glucocorticoids in the adrenal gland and the function of the artificial Prednisonzufuhr. For this reason, prednisone should not be discontinued abruptly when the treatment lasts longer than 1-2 weeks, but the dose should be reduced slowly. This weaning usually takes a few days for a short term prednisone dose, but may take weeks or even months after long-term treatment, depending on the situation of the patient.

Abrupt prednisone withdrawal can lead to life -threatening conditions that are related with Addison 's disease ( Addison's crisis).

Trade names

Decortin (D), prednisolone Tablinen (D), Rectodelt (D ), various generics (D, CH)

Fluorex (A)