DRUG | SUPPLIED | DOSE | COMMENTS |
---|---|---|---|
PREDNISONE (Paeds) Mechanism of action: Corticosteroid. Ref: 369 Last update: 2022-04-24 |
tablet: 1 mg, 5 mg, 50 mg. BCCH compounded suspension: 5 mg/mL. |
Physiologic Replacement: 1-1.5 mg/m2/dose PO BID Mild Stress: 2x physiologic replacement. Moderate Stress: 3x physiologic replacement. Asthma: Acute Exacerbation: 1 mg/kg/dose PO daily x 5 days. Longer course may be required for prolonged hospitalization or intensive care treatment. Maximum: 60 mg/24 hrAnti-inflammatory or Immunosuppressive: 0.25-1 mg/kg/dose PO BID or 0.5-2 mg/kg/dose PO once daily. Induction therapy at first presentation: 60 mg/m2/dose PO once daily x 6 weeks. Maximum: 60 mg/dose. Then change to 40 mg/m2/dose once daily every other day x 6 weeks, then stop. Maximum: 40 mg/dose. Treatment of relapse: 60 mg/m2/dose PO once daily until remission. Maximum of 60 mg/dose. Then change to 40 mg/m2/dose once daily every other day x 2 weeks, then stop. Maximum: 40 mg/dose. |
Prednisone may be used for stress dose replacement in children with mild stress (eg. viral illness) or moderate stress (eg. fever) who are not vomiting. Hydrocortisone IM/IV is preferred for major stress (eg. surgery, trauma) or when child is vomiting. Methylprednisolone (IV) or prednisolone (PO) are preferred in hepatic disease as prednisone is hepatically metabolized to prednisolone. 4 mg of hydrocortisone = 1 mg of prednisone (anti-inflammatory response). See Supplementary and References for Corticosteroid Equivalency Table and Surface Area Calculator. Standard Prescription: prednisone __mg PO Q__H (__mg/kg/24 hr or __mg/m2/24 hr) |