Is prednisone the same as corticosteroids?

Prednisone and prednisolone are synthetic (man-made) corticosteroids (steroids) used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. These drugs have effects similar to other corticosteroids such as triamcinolone (Kenacort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and dexamethasone (Decadron).

Is prednisone an adrenal corticosteroid?

Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. If you take prednisone for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production.

What is the difference between corticosteroids and steroids?

Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal glands produce naturally. Corticosteroids are often referred to by the shortened term “steroids.” Corticosteroids are different from the male hormone-related steroid compounds that some athletes abuse.

Is prednisone stronger than prednisolone?

Prednisolone and prednisone doses are equivalent in a milligram to milligram comparison. In other words, 5 mg of prednisolone is as strong as 5 mg of prednisone. Prednisolone and prednisone are five times more potent than hydrocortisone, but only one-sixth the potency of dexamethasone.

What is equivalent to prednisone?

Corticosteroid Dose Equivalents

Equivalent Dose Steroid
1.5 mg Dexamethasone (long-acting)
8 mg Methylprednisolone (intermediate-acting)
8 mg Triamcinolone (intermediate-acting)
10 mg Prednisone (intermediate-acting)

What is difference between methylprednisolone and prednisone?

The main difference between oral methylprednisolone and oral prednisone is that methylprednisolone is slightly stronger than prednisone, so a lower dosage is used (4mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to approximately 5mg of prednisone).

What is a good substitute for prednisone?

Specific medications in this group include (in no particular order) Flovent, Pulmicort, QVAR, Asmanex, and many others, both brand-name and generic. These are medicines that are similar to prednisone, but the dose is much lower than prednisone taken by mouth, and the side effects are dramatically reduced.

How are corticosteroids related to the adrenal cortex?

Corticosteroid agents mimic the endogenous steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex—mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) and glucocorticoid (cortisol). Mineralocorticoids are primarily regulated by the renin-angiotensin system and possess salt-retaining properties.

What’s the difference between corticosteroids and glucocorticoids?

Corticosteroids, including glucocorticoids (such as cortisol), which regulates the immune function, and mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone), which regulates electrolyte balance Secosteroids such as vitamin D, which helps regulate numerous biological functions 2 

What’s the difference between sex steroids and corticosteroids?

Sex steroids, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Corticosteroids, including glucocorticoids (such as cortisol) which regulates the immune function and mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone) which regulates the balance of electrolytes. Secosteroids such as vitamin D which helps regulate numerous biological functions.

Do you weigh the benefits and risks of corticosteroids?

Weigh the benefits and risks of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, when choosing a medication. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Corticosteroid drugs — including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone — are useful in treating many conditions, such as rashes, lupus and asthma. But these drugs also carry a risk of serious side effects.