Prednisolone for children: dosage and instructions for use

Prednisolone is a hormonal medication commonly used for acute illness and life-threatening conditions. When is it prescribed to children and in what form is it used? How does such a medication work on a child's body, and what side reaction can a child have during treatment with Prednisolone?

Release form

Prednisolone is manufactured by several companies, and there is sometimes a word next to the name of the drug that indicates the manufacturer (for example, Prednisolone Nycomed). The drug is represented by the following types.

Pills... Usually they are flat-cylindrical and white, and one pack contains from 10 to 120 tablets (most often, polymer bottles of 100 pieces are produced).
Ointment, which is used for external processing. It is a thick white mass placed in aluminum tubes in the amount of 10 g or 15 g.
Ampoules with solutionthat can be injected into a muscle or injected into a vein. These ampoules contain 1 or 2 ml of a clear solution. The liquid is colorless, yellowish or yellowish-greenish. One package contains 3, 5 or more ampoules.

In suppositories, drops, capsules, syrup or other forms, Prednisolone is not released.

Composition

All dosage forms of the drug contain prednisolone as the main ingredient. It is presented in the following dosages:

1 tablet - 1 mg or 5 mg;
in 1 ml of solution for injection - 15 mg or 30 mg in the form of sodium phosphate;
in 1 gram of ointment - 5 mg.

Excipients in different forms and medicines from different manufacturers differ, so the exact composition should be found in the instructions or on the packaging of a particular medicine.

Operating principle

Prednisolone is a synthetic hormone from the group of glucocorticosteroids and acts in a similar way to hormonal compounds that are produced in the adrenal glands.

Such a substance:

relieves shock and prevents death in shock;
quickly and effectively eliminates the inflammatory process, regardless of its severity and localization;
suppresses exudation - active release of fluid from inflamed tissues;
stops the development of an allergic reaction and eliminates allergy symptoms such as rash, swelling, itching and others;
stops the active multiplication of cells at the site of damage, which prevents the appearance of scars;
suppresses the immune system.

All these effects of Prednisolone develop very quickly, and the action of the drug itself is very strong, therefore it is used when life is threatened or in cases where other medications have proved ineffective. If there is a possibility of replacing such a drug with other drugs, it must be used.

Prednisolone has the following properties:

stimulation of protein breakdown in tissues and bloodstream, as well as the synthesis of protein molecules in liver cells;
increased blood glucose levels;
retention of Na + and water, which causes swelling;
increased excitability of nerve cells in the brain;
reducing the absorption of potassium in the gastrointestinal tract and stimulating its excretion from the body;
redistribution of fat reserves with an increase in its amount in the upper body;
lowering the threshold of convulsive readiness;
inhibition of the production of glucocorticoids, as well as FSH and TSH.

Such effects of the drug are not curative, but should be taken into account, since they are the ones that cause side effects.

Indications

The reason for prescribing Prednisolone tablets and injections is:

toxic, traumatic, burn or other shock;
severe acute allergic reactions (the medication is prescribed for Quincke's edema, urticaria and anaphylactic shock);
swelling of the brain caused by various reasons;
severe bronchial asthma and status asthma;
rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other systemic diseases that affect connective tissue;
inflammation of the joints of a different nature (the medicine is injected into the joint or given in tablets);

acute dysfunction of the adrenal glands;
allergic conjunctivitis;
uveitis and other inflammatory eye diseases;
agranulocytosis, acute leukemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia and other pathologies of the hematopoietic system;
organ transplant;
acute hepatitis or hepatic coma;
thyrotoxic crisis or thyroiditis;
multiple myeloma;
sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, aspiration pneumonia and other severe lung diseases;
poisoning with alkalis and other cauterizing liquids.

Prednisolone ointment is prescribed for eczema, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, toxidermia, psoriasis and other skin diseases. In addition, this form is prescribed for tendovaginitis, bursitis and keloid scars.

At what age is it prescribed?

There are no age restrictions for the treatment of children with Prednisolone, but due to the fact that such a medication can adversely affect the growth processes in childhood, this hormone is prescribed only if there are serious indications and only under medical supervision.

In addition, it is important not to forget that such a remedy is used only in acute conditions and they always try to prescribe in the minimum dose and for the shortest possible period.

Contraindications

If Prednisolone is prescribed for a child for health reasons, then there is only one contraindication for its use - intolerance to such a drug. Nevertheless, many diseases require increased attention of the doctor when prescribing Prednisolone. Such diseases include various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, infections (chickenpox, measles, herpes, tuberculosis, etc.), endocrine diseases, severe liver pathologies, glaucoma, and so on.

If a child has any serious illness, the issue of using Prednisolone is decided individually.

Side effects

During treatment with Prednisolone injections or tablets, various negative effects can be observed, eg:

vomiting or nausea;
decreased activity of the adrenal glands;
decreased glucose tolerance;
development of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome;
change in appetite;
the development of diabetes mellitus (it is called steroid);
the appearance of erosive esophagitis, bleeding from the wall of the stomach or intestines, as well as a steroid ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract;
slowdown in growth;
delayed sexual development;
violation of the rhythm of heartbeats, increased blood pressure, bradycardia;
bloating;
mental health problems such as depression or paranoia
rise in intracranial or intraocular pressure;
headaches or insomnia;
increased sweating;

Side effects

weight gain;
eye infection (secondary);
the appearance of peripheral edema;
weakness, fatigue, muscle pain and other symptoms of hypokalemia;
the appearance of stretch marks or acne;
allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, or other symptoms;
exacerbation of infectious diseases;
withdrawal syndrome.

The use of the ointment can provoke the appearance of "stars", skin itching, excessive dryness, acne, burning and other skin problems.

If a large area of the skin is treated with such Prednisolone, the effects of treatment will be similar to the side effects of injections or taking pills.

Instructions for use

The form of the medicine, the required dosage and the duration of the use of Prednisolone is determined by the doctor, taking into account many factors, including the diagnosis, and the patient's condition, and the child's age, and his weight in kilograms. Prednisolone for injection can be administered intravenously either as a jet or through a dropper (the medicine must be diluted with saline). It is intravenous injections that are used in acute conditions, when immediate assistance is required.

If injections into a vein are not possible, the medicine is injected intramuscularly, and when the condition improves, the injections are replaced with tablets. If the drug is prescribed for a long period, it should be canceled gradually, reducing the daily dose. The longer the treatment is carried out, the slower the drug is withdrawn.

Prednisolone tablets are most often given once at 6-8 o'clock in the morning, since it is at this time that glucocorticoids are released in the human body. If the dosage is very high, it can be divided into several doses. In this case, in the morning, the medication is given in a larger dose, and the remaining amount is taken at 12 o'clock. Taking Prednisolone tablets is recommended with meals or immediately after meals. The medicine is taken with a small amount of liquid.

Prednisolone ointment is applied to the affected areas 1-3 times a day.

The medicine should not be covered with a tight bandage and used for more than 14 days.

Prednisolone for inhalation

Like other hormonal agents (Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone), Prednisolone can be administered to children by inhalation. Such procedures relieve puffiness, eliminate spasms and coughs, therefore they are in demand for stenosis of the larynx, laryngitis or obstructive bronchitis. For manipulations, liquid Prednisolone in ampoules and an inhaler are used.

The doctor should calculate the dose of the medication, determine the frequency of inhalations necessary for a particular child and the duration of treatment.

Overdose

If the dose is too high, blood pressure rises, edema appears, and other side effects increase. In such a situation, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Interaction with other drugs

When treating with Prednisolone, it is important to consider taking any other medications, since such a hormone is not advised to be combined with many other medications, so as not to provoke side effects or intensify them. Among the drugs that should not be used with Prednisolone, diuterics, cardiac glycosides, phenobarbital, paracetamol, anticoagulants, isoniazid, vitamin D, antacids and other drugs are noted.

In addition, Prednisolone is incompatible with antiviral vaccines, therefore a certain period must elapse between vaccination and the use of glucocorticoid.

Terms of sale and storage

All Prednisolone dosage forms are prescription drugs. The price of 100 tablets of 5 mg, depending on the manufacturer, varies from 50 to 115 rubles. One tube of ointment containing 15 g of the drug costs an average of 25-30 rubles.

Store Prednisolone tablets at room temperature, and ampoules and ointment in a cool place. The shelf life, depending on the form, can be 2 years, 3 years or 5 years.

It should be specified on the packaging of the selected medication and do not use the medication if the date has expired.

Reviews

You can find different reviews about the use of Prednisolone in children. In positive, parents call such a medicine effective and note a good effect in case of allergies or inflammation. In negative reviews, mothers usually complain about the frequent occurrence of side effects.

Analogs

If you need to replace Prednisolone, use another drug with the same active ingredient (Medopred, Prednisol) or some other glucocorticoid, for example, a drug based on dexamethasone or budesonide. However, such a replacement is allowed only on the prescription of a doctor and under the supervision of a pediatrician. The use of any analogue instead of Prednisolone in the treatment of children without a doctor's prescription is dangerous to the health of babies.