# Prednisolone in Nigeria

Prednisolone has 14 active NAFDAC registrations in our October 2026 copy of the register, from 14 registration holders; 26 further listings have lapsed.

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/prednisolone/
- Drug class: Glucocorticoid (Respiratory)
- Also known as: Predsol, Prednisone
- Prescription required: yes
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: October 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of October 2026, Prednisolone sells for about ₦3,663 for drops online in Nigeria at three online pharmacies; tablets ₦6,010. The online price is down 2% since July 2026. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## 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), and Wysolone, alongside generic prednisolone tablets. Although prednisolone technically requires a prescription, in practice it is widely available over the counter in many Nigerian pharmacies and patent medicine stores. 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?

- 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

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- 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: 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 (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

Do not take if: 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.

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 in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Perilon (Hovid Bhd, made in Malaysia); Predsol (GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), made in United Kingdom); Solupred (Sanofi, made in France); Wysolone (Wyeth (Pfizer), made in India); Ivysolone (Dortemag Ventures Limited, made in Kenya).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/prednisolone/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check for a valid NAFDAC registration number on the packaging — every legitimate prednisolone product in Nigeria must carry this number
2. Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book website (www.greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng) or the NAFDAC mobile app for Android and iOS
3. Buy only from licensed pharmacies — prednisolone is a prescription medication, so any vendor selling it without asking questions may be selling counterfeit or substandard products
4. Be 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
5. Inspect 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
6. For 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

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### What are the side effects of taking prednisolone for a long time?

Long-term use of prednisolone (more than a few weeks at moderate to high doses) can cause significant side effects. The most common include weight gain (particularly around the face, abdomen, and upper back), elevated blood sugar which can lead to steroid-induced diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones leading to fractures), increased susceptibility to infections, thinning of the skin with easy bruising, mood changes including depression and anxiety, cataracts, and muscle weakness. The characteristic 'moon face' and 'buffalo hump' fat distribution of Cushing's syndrome can develop. In Nigeria, where many patients self-medicate with steroids or receive them unknowingly in herbal mixtures, these complications are distressingly common. If you require long-term prednisolone, your doctor should monitor you regularly with blood tests, blood pressure checks, and bone density assessments.

### Will prednisolone make me gain weight?

Yes, weight gain is one of the most common side effects of prednisolone, especially when used at higher doses or for extended periods. Prednisolone causes weight gain through multiple mechanisms: it increases appetite significantly, promotes fat redistribution to the face (moon face), abdomen, and upper back (buffalo hump), and causes fluid retention. Short courses of prednisolone (5 to 7 days) typically cause minimal or temporary weight gain that resolves after stopping the medication. Longer courses are more likely to cause significant weight changes. To minimise weight gain while on prednisolone, eat a balanced diet, reduce salt intake to limit water retention, avoid sugary foods and excess carbohydrates, stay physically active if your condition allows, and never take more than the prescribed dose. The weight gain is usually reversible once prednisolone is stopped, though it may take several weeks to months.

### Can I stop taking prednisolone suddenly?

No — if you have been taking prednisolone for more than 7 to 14 days, you must NOT stop it suddenly. This is one of the most important safety warnings about this medication. When you take prednisolone for an extended period, your body's adrenal glands reduce their natural cortisol production because the drug is supplying what the body needs. If you stop the drug abruptly, your body cannot produce enough cortisol on its own, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition called adrenal crisis. Symptoms include severe fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and in extreme cases, collapse and death. Your doctor will create a tapering schedule that gradually reduces your dose over days to weeks, giving your adrenal glands time to resume normal cortisol production. Even if you feel well, never stop prednisolone suddenly without consulting your doctor.

### Is prednisolone the same as prednisone?

Prednisolone and prednisone are closely related but not identical. Prednisone is a prodrug — it is converted by the liver into prednisolone, which is the active form that produces the anti-inflammatory effect. In practice, they are largely interchangeable for most patients, with equivalent doses producing similar effects. However, prednisolone is preferred for patients with liver problems (such as liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, which are common in Nigeria) because it does not require liver conversion to become active. Prednisolone is also preferred for children because it is available as a palatable syrup. In Nigeria, prednisolone is more commonly available and prescribed than prednisone. Both medications have the same side effects and precautions. If your doctor switches you from one to the other, the doses are generally equivalent milligram for milligram.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)