Key Facts
- Drug Class
- Glucocorticoid
- Prescription
- Required
- NAFDAC Status
- Check Registration
- Forms
- Tablet, Syrup, Injection, Eye drops
- Price Range
- ₦200 - ₦5,000
- WHO Essential
- Yes
What is Prednisolone?
Prednisolone is a potent corticosteroid medication widely used across Nigeria for the treatment of severe inflammatory and allergic conditions. It is a synthetic glucocorticoid that mimics the effects of cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Prednisolone works by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation throughout the body. In Nigerian hospitals and clinics — from teaching hospitals in Lagos, Ibadan, and Enugu to general hospitals in smaller cities — prednisolone is one of the most frequently prescribed steroids for conditions ranging from severe asthma attacks to autoimmune diseases. It is listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and is a critical medication in emergency and chronic disease management.
In Nigeria, prednisolone is both a life-saving medication and one of the most commonly misused drugs. It is legitimately prescribed for severe asthma exacerbations, acute allergic reactions, nephrotic syndrome in children (a leading cause of childhood kidney disease in Nigeria), autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and severe skin conditions. However, prednisolone and other steroids are frequently abused in Nigeria, often mixed into herbal preparations and traditional remedies sold in open markets and by unlicensed vendors. Some unscrupulous herbal medicine sellers add crushed prednisolone tablets to their products to make customers feel rapid relief, without disclosing the steroid content. This practice is dangerous and has led to serious health complications including Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, and adrenal suppression in unsuspecting patients.
Prednisolone is available in Nigeria as tablets (5mg, 10mg, and 20mg), oral syrup (5mg/5ml, commonly used for children), injection for hospital use, and eye drops for inflammatory eye conditions. Popular brands include Predsol (by GSK), Solupred (by Sanofi), Emzor Prednisolone (locally manufactured), and Wysolone. Although prednisolone technically requires a prescription, in practice it is widely available over the counter in many Nigerian pharmacies and patent medicine stores. Prices range from N200 for a strip of generic 5mg tablets to N5,000 for branded preparations. All legitimate prednisolone products must carry a NAFDAC registration number. It is essential that patients understand the dangers of using steroids without medical supervision, especially the risks of long-term use and sudden withdrawal.
What is Prednisolone used for?
In Nigeria, Prednisolone is commonly used for:
- Treatment of severe asthma exacerbations and acute asthma attacks — often prescribed as a short course (3 to 7 days) alongside salbutamol to bring severe symptoms under control
- Management of severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis (as adjunct therapy), drug allergies, and severe allergic rhinitis
- Treatment of autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Nephrotic syndrome in children — one of the most common paediatric kidney conditions in Nigeria, where prednisolone is the first-line treatment
- Severe skin conditions including eczema, dermatitis, and pemphigus that do not respond to topical treatments
- Inflammatory eye conditions such as uveitis and allergic conjunctivitis (prednisolone eye drops)
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The dose varies widely depending on the condition being treated. For acute asthma: 40mg to 50mg daily for 5 to 7 days (no taper needed for short courses). For allergic reactions: 20mg to 40mg daily, tapered over 1 to 2 weeks. For autoimmune conditions: initial dose of 1mg/kg/day (up to 60mg), then gradually reduced to the lowest effective maintenance dose. For inflammatory conditions: 5mg to 60mg daily depending on severity. Always take prednisolone in the morning with food to reduce stomach irritation and to match the body's natural cortisol rhythm.
Children
Dosing is weight-based and condition-specific. For acute asthma: 1mg to 2mg per kg per day (maximum 40mg) for 3 to 5 days. For nephrotic syndrome (initial episode): 60mg/m2/day (maximum 80mg) for 4 to 6 weeks, followed by 40mg/m2 on alternate days for 4 to 6 weeks, then gradual taper. The syrup formulation (5mg/5ml) is preferred for young children. Always follow the paediatrician's dosing instructions precisely — steroid dosing in children is critical and should not be adjusted without medical guidance.
Elderly
Elderly patients are more vulnerable to the side effects of prednisolone, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and increased infection risk. Start with the lowest effective dose and use for the shortest possible duration. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be considered for elderly patients on prednisolone to protect bone density. Regular blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring is advisable.
Prednisolone should always be taken with food or milk to reduce stomach irritation. For courses longer than 7 to 14 days, the dose must be tapered gradually — NEVER stop prednisolone suddenly after prolonged use, as this can cause a life-threatening adrenal crisis. Patients on long-term prednisolone should carry a steroid card or medical alert information. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as normal — do not double dose.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Increased appetite and weight gain — very commonly reported and a major concern for many Nigerian patients
- •Mood changes including irritability, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- •Stomach irritation, indigestion, and increased risk of peptic ulcers
- •Elevated blood sugar levels — particularly important for patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes
- •Facial puffiness (moon face) — more common with prolonged use
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Adrenal suppression — the body's adrenal glands stop producing cortisol naturally after prolonged steroid use, making sudden withdrawal dangerous
- Cushing's syndrome with long-term use — characterised by moon face, buffalo hump, central obesity, thin skin, and purple stretch marks
- Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk — particularly in elderly patients and postmenopausal women on long-term therapy
- Increased susceptibility to serious infections including tuberculosis reactivation — especially important in Nigeria where TB is endemic
- Steroid-induced diabetes mellitus — can develop in previously non-diabetic patients, particularly with higher doses and longer duration
- Peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding — risk increased when combined with NSAIDs like ibuprofen or diclofenac
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of adrenal crisis after stopping prednisolone suddenly, including severe weakness, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Also see a doctor urgently if you develop signs of infection (fever, sore throat, cough) while on prednisolone, as steroids can mask infection symptoms. Contact your doctor if you develop severe mood changes, vision problems, persistent stomach pain, or if you notice signs of high blood sugar such as excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Prednisolone if you have:
- Do not use prednisolone if you have a systemic fungal infection — steroids can worsen fungal infections dramatically
- Avoid in patients with active untreated tuberculosis — prednisolone can reactivate latent TB; this is particularly critical in Nigeria where TB prevalence is high
- Use with extreme caution in patients with peptic ulcer disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or osteoporosis
- Avoid live vaccines (such as yellow fever, oral polio, and BCG) while on immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone
Drug interactions
- •NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin) — combining prednisolone with NSAIDs significantly increases the risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding
- •Rifampicin — this TB medication (widely used in Nigeria) reduces prednisolone levels, requiring dose adjustment
- •Phenytoin and carbamazepine (epilepsy medications) — reduce prednisolone effectiveness by increasing its metabolism
- •Diabetes medications (metformin, glibenclamide, insulin) — prednisolone raises blood sugar, so diabetes drug doses may need to be increased
- •Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) — combining with prednisolone increases the risk of low potassium levels
- •Warfarin — prednisolone can alter warfarin's blood-thinning effect; close INR monitoring is required
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Prednisolone should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus. High doses and prolonged use during pregnancy have been associated with low birth weight and, rarely, adrenal suppression in the newborn. However, for serious conditions such as severe asthma or autoimmune disease, the risks of untreated maternal illness may outweigh the risks of the medication. Prednisolone is excreted in breast milk, but at doses below 20mg daily, the amount transferred to the infant is generally considered too small to cause harm. Breastfeeding mothers on higher doses should wait 4 hours after taking prednisolone before nursing. Always discuss with your doctor.
Brands of Prednisolone in Nigeria
4 brands available in Nigeria.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predsol | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) | 5mg | Tablet |
| Solupred | Sanofi | 5mg, 20mg | Tablet |
| Prednisolone | Emzor Pharmaceutical | 5mg | Tablet |
| Wysolone | Wyeth (Pfizer) | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg | Tablet |
How to Verify Your Prednisolone is Genuine
- 1Check for a valid NAFDAC registration number on the packaging — every legitimate prednisolone product in Nigeria must carry this number
- 2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book website (www.greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng) or the NAFDAC mobile app for Android and iOS
- 3Buy only from licensed pharmacies — prednisolone is a prescription medication, so any vendor selling it without asking questions may be selling counterfeit or substandard products
- 4Be especially wary of herbal preparations that produce rapid anti-inflammatory effects — they may contain undisclosed steroids including prednisolone; NAFDAC has seized many such products across Nigeria
- 5Inspect the packaging for clear printing of the manufacturer's name, batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date — blurred or inconsistent text is a red flag
- 6For branded products like Predsol and Solupred, compare the packaging with images on the manufacturer's official website or ask your pharmacist to help verify authenticity
Prednisolone Price in Nigeria
Prednisolone prices in Nigeria typically range from ₦200 to ₦5,000 per pack, depending on the brand, strength, and where you buy it.
₦200 – ₦5,000
per pack
Prices vary by location and vendor. Last updated: 2026-02-01
Where to Buy
Purchase Prednisolone only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registered products database
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (23rd List, 2023)
- •British National Formulary (BNF)
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines