Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Alkindi Sprinkle
  2. Aristocort
  3. Bubbli-Pred
  4. Celestone
  5. Cortone Acetate
  6. Cotolone
  7. Decadron
  8. Deltasone
  9. Dexamethasone Intensol
  10. Emflaza
  11. Entocort EC
  12. Florinef Acetate
  13. Medrol
  14. Methylpred-DP
  15. Prednicot
  16. Prelone

Canadian Brand Name

  1. APO-predniSONE
  2. Pediapred 5
  3. Pms-prednisoLONE
  4. Pulmicort
  5. Pulmicort Spacer
  6. Teva-predniSONE
  7. Winpred

Descriptions


Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines) are used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body. They lessen swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. They are often used as part of the treatment for a number of different diseases, such as severe allergies or skin problems, asthma, or arthritis. Corticosteroids may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Your body naturally produces certain cortisone-like hormones that are necessary to maintain good health. If your body does not produce enough, your doctor may have prescribed this medicine to help make up the difference.

Corticosteroids are very strong medicines. In addition to their helpful effects in treating your medical problem, they have side effects that can be very serious. If your adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisone-like hormones, taking this medicine is not likely to cause problems unless you take too much of it. If you are taking this medicine to treat another medical problem, be sure that you discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Importance of Diet

If you will be using this medicine for a long time, your doctor may want you to:

  • Follow a low-salt diet and/or a potassium-rich diet.
  • Watch your calories to prevent weight gain.
  • Add extra protein to your diet.

Make certain your health care professional knows if you are already on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet
  • Elixir
  • Solution
  • Suspension
  • Capsule, Extended Release
  • Capsule, Delayed Release
  • Tablet, Extended Release
  • Syrup
  • Tablet, Disintegrating
  • Tablet, Delayed Release
  • Granule

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.