Prednisone
DeltasonePubChem CID 5865 · 3D model
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A steroid that turns down inflammation and calms an overactive immune system by acting on receptors inside cells throughout the body.
How it works
Prednisone is a man-made steroid that the liver converts into its active form. It works by entering cells and attaching to a receptor that then travels into the nucleus and changes which genes are turned on or off. This dials down the production of substances that cause inflammation and swelling, and calms an immune system that's overreacting. Because these changes affect the whole body, prednisone can have widespread effects on metabolism and immunity, which is why it treats so many different conditions but also requires careful monitoring.
What it’s used for
Used for a wide range of conditions where calming inflammation or the immune system helps, including hormone problems like adrenal gland disorders. It's also used short-term for flare-ups of joint and connective-tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and for severe skin conditions or allergic and eye inflammation that haven't responded to other treatments. Other uses include certain lung conditions, some blood disorders where the immune system attacks blood cells, cancer treatment for leukemia and lymphoma, reducing fluid buildup and protein loss from kidney disease, and getting patients through severe flare-ups of bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, as well as MS flare-ups.
- Mechanism
- Glucocorticoid receptor agonist (corticosteroid)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Endocrine / Anti-inflammatory