• White or practically white crystalline powder. (B263)

• Very slightly soluble. (B263)

• Slightly soluble in alcohol. (B263)

• Store below 40°C and preferably at 15 to 30°C; avoid freezing liquid products. (B263)
• Store tablets and oral liquids in tight containers. (B263)
• Prednisolone sodium succinate: store at room temperature; protect from light. (B263)
  • Once reconstituted use immediately; do not store. (B263)

Associated Techniques

• For the treatment of inflammatory and allergic disorders.(B201.7.w7)
• In the treatment of adrenocortical insufficiency. (B201.7.w7)
• In the treatment of myasthenia gravis. (B201.7.w7)
• In inflammatory bowel disease. (B201.7.w7)
• In neoplasia treatment. (B201.7.w7)

• Reported physically incompatible with: calcium gluconate/gluceptate, dimenhydrinate, metaraminol bitartrate, methotrexate sodium, prochlorperazine edisylate, polymixin B sulfate, promazine HCl, promethazine. (B263)
• Reported physically compatible with: ascorbic acid injection, cephalothin sodium, cytarabine, erythromycin lactobionate, flourouracil, heparin sodium, methicillin sodium, penicillin G potassium, penicillin G sodium, tetracycline HCl, vitabin B-complex with C. (B263)
• Compatibility depends on factors such as pH, concentration, temperature and diluents. (B263)

• Tablets, oral granules, injection. (B201.7.w7, (B270.33.w33)
  • Prednisolone sodium succinate.  (B270.33.w33)
  • Prednisolone acetate injection. (B270.33.w33)
  • Sodium phosphate salts and succinate esters of glucocorticoids may be given by intravenous injection. (B201.7.w7)
  • Acetate esters of glucocorticoids are insoluble and should not be given intravenously. (B201.7.w7)

Use of Drugs (Medication):

• Before administration of any drug the manufacturer's datasheet must be consulted regarding operator safety, relevant withdrawal times etc.
• Many drugs are not registered for use in particular species and care should be taken in their use, with proper regard for possible toxic effects. Consideration should be give to relevant legislation regarding the use of drugs.
• In the UK, guidelines regarding the use of drugs are set out in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Guide to Professional Conduct 2000: (See: LCofC1 - RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct 2000 - Choice of Medicinal Products).

• 2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously. For inflammation. (B22.27.w3)
• 10 mg/kg subcutaneously. For shock. (B22.27.w3)

• 2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; 10 mg/kg for shock. (J204.59.w1)

• 2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. For allergies. (B267)
• 10 mg/kg subcutaneously or intramuscularly. For shock. (B267)

Elephants:

• 1 mg per 3 kg bodyweight intravenously. For heatstroke. (B10.49.w21, B64.27.w4)

The following information is taken with permission directly from the Elephant Care International website (W580.Aug2005.w29):

Bears:

• In general: "Domestic dog drugs and dosages are used to treat bears." (B336.51.w51) 
• In a bear with Inhalant Allergic Dermatitis, oral prednisolone: 80 mg on days 1,3,5,7,9 and 40 mg on days 2,4,6,8,10, then reducing to 60 mg on "odd" numbered days and 25 mg on even days, through the summer and fall pollen seasons, together with antihistamines, gave good control of the pruritis. (P1.1988.w3)
  • The bear's arthritis (Arthritis in Bears) also improved. (P1.1988.w3)

• 0.5 - 2.0 mg/kg orally, intramuscularly or subcutaneously. As an anti-inflammatory. (B600.4.w4)
• 0.2 - 2.0 mg/kg orally or subcutaneously. (B603.5.w5)
• Note: In general, inflammation in rabbits should be treated using a NSAID, not a corticosteroid. a single intravenous bolus may be useful in treatment of shock or acute inflammation (e.g. Encephalitozoonosis in Lagomorphs (Parasitic Disease)). Corticosteroids may be useful in the management of neoplasia, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, and may be useful in allergic or autoimmune disorders. (B603.5.w5)
• 0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for three days followed by every 48 hours. As an anti-inflammatory. (B546)
• 0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for three days, then every 24 hours for three days, then every 48 hours. (B601.15.w15)
• 0.5 - 2.0 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. (B602.41.w41)

• Prolonged treatment with glucocorticoids may suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and result in atrophy of the adrenal glands.  (B201.7.w7)
  • Prolonged therapy should be avoided if possible, to minimise the risk of precipitating signs of adrenal insufficiency in the event of superimposed stress or when therapy ceases. (B201.7.w7)
• Use corticosteroids with caution during pregnancy due to the risk of causing fetal abnormalities and abortion.  (B201.7.w7)
• In horses: use of corticosteroids is contraindicated for treatment of laminitis. (B201.7.w7)
• Glucocorticoids and vaccines should not be administered concurrently with one another. (B201.7.w7)
• If the course of therapy lasts for longer than two weeks, the dose of prednisolone should not be stopped abruptly but reduced gradually.  (B201.7.w7)
• For prolonged treatment, the dose should be tapered to the lowest level clinically acceptable for maintenance of the required effect then a gradual transition made to give twice this dose on alternate days. In dogs the dose should be given in the morning to minimise suppression of the HPA axis; for cats evening medication has been suggested (however the diurnal rhythm of the HPA in cats is uncertain).  (B201.7.w7)

• In horses: use of corticosteroids may induce laminitis. (B201.7.w7)
• Long term administration of glucocorticoids may cause iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism.  (B201.7.w7)
• Administration of corticosteroids may cause hepatomegaly and a concurrent  rise in serum levels of hepatic enzymes.  (B201.7.w7)
• Administration of glucocorticoids may change the required dosage of insulin in diabetic patients and may unmask diabetes in individuals not previously diagnosed as diabetic.  (B201.7.w7)
• Glucocorticoid treatment may cause gastric and colonic ulceration.  (B201.7.w7)
• The immunosuppression and modification of inflammatory processes by glucocorticoids may facilitate progression of infectious disease.  (B201.7.w7)
  • If glucocorticoids are used in an individual with a known infection, an appropriate antimicrobial drug should be administered concurrently. (B201.7.w7)
• Glucocorticoids have catabolic effects including: muscle wasting, cutaneous atrophy, telogen arrest of hair follicles, delay in healing of wounds, suppression of both corneal stroma repair and epithelial repair in cases of corneal ulceration. (B201.7.w7)

Reported side effects from glucocorticoid treatment include effects on blood cells and blood chemistry, central nervous system, endocrine system, gastro-intestinal system, renal system, musculoskeletal system and skin, as well as reduction in growth, redistribution of body fat, increased risk of infection, enhanced spread of infection and poor wound healing. (B270.33.w33)

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