6.3.2 Glucocorticoid therapy

General Guidance
 

• Dosage of corticosteroids varies widely in different diseases and in different patients.
• The minimum effective dose should be used at all times to minimise adverse effects.
• Treatment courses of over two weeks should be withdrawn gradually.
• Long term use may lead to osteoporotic changes, patients requiring a corticosteroid of dose equivalent to or greater than 6.5mg prednisolone daily for six months or more should receive prophylactic therapy with a bisphosphonate licenced for this indication (e.g. etidronate or alendronate).

For UKMi Q & A prednisolone EC v uncoated prednisolone tablets click here.

Recommended drugs

See BNF

Prednisolone tablets & soluble tablets

Prednisolone Dompé 5mg/5ml Oral Solution (LogixX Pharma)

Drug Traffic Light Key:

Green – On Formulary

Amber – Restricted use, see local guidelines      

Purple – Specialist use/initiation

Red – Non Formulary

Relative Costs Key (where indicated):

£££££ - high

£££ - moderate

£ - low