How different is prednisone to prednisolone?

[tuckers mom]

Tucker takes 5mg of Prednisolone for his brain tumor. Vet's office says it's on back order, no idea when it will arrive and gave me Prednisone for Tucker.

Is there a huge difference between the two? Thank you for any input.

 

[BJM]

source: Medscape Drug

"Elimination

Glucocorticoids having a ketone group at C-11 (e.g., cortisone, prednisone, and meprednisone [no longer commercially available in the US]) must be reduced (primarily in the liver) to their corresponding 11-hydroxy analogs (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, and meprednisolone) in order to be pharmacologically active. Prednisone is rapidly converted to prednisolone, but much of cortisone is inactivated before it can be converted to hydrocortisone. "

English translation: Prednisone has to be broken down by the liver into prednisolone. The latter is the active chemical. I interpret this to mean that prednisone may have a somewhat slower onset and longer duration of effect - sort of like Lantus rather than Humulin.

 

[tuckers mom]

Thank you, and especially thank you for the translation

 

[Lisa and Merlyn (GA)]

Yea, what BJM said. Thats how my vet explained it, that the liver doesnt have to work so hard using Prednisolone.

 

[Venita]

Same here, although I have no idea where learned it.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

This article concludes that on a per mg basis prednisolone is more potent than prednisone.
http://www.vetcontact.com/dermatology/a ... 40&t=&f=18

 

[tuckers mom]

Thank you all for your help.

I've asked the vet to call me as soon as prednisolone comes in, but now I don't feel too terrible using the prednisone until then.