Probably, many people have come across the drug Prednisolone. After all, this medication is used for various pathologies. Especially people who suffer from chronic allergic diseases and systemic pathologies are well aware of it. Also, this drug is used in veterinary medicine. At the moment, you can not buy the drug everywhere. Therefore, many people ask themselves: why are there no prednisone in pharmacies and where can I buy it? Despite the deficiency of this medication, there are many analogues of the drug. Therefore, do not panic and start self-medication. To find a suitable replacement medication, you should consult a doctor.
What is Prednisolone?
The drug "Prednisolone" is a hormonal drug. This medication belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids. In the body, these substances are secreted in the adrenal cortex. These hormones are necessary to support many processes. First of all, they act as anti-inflammatory drugs. They also have an immunosuppressive effect and relieve bronchial edema. In addition, the drug "Prednisolone" is used as an anti-shock drug. This medication is used for many ailments. Among them are diseases such as bronchial asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, a drug is necessary to remove a person from anaphylactic shock and with other allergic reactions of an immediate type.
Given the fact that the drug is widely used in various fields of medicine, many people are interested in: where did prednisone go? This issue is especially worrying for people who need this medicine constantly.
Indications for the use of the medication
Hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs (glucocorticoids) have many effects on the body. They are used in almost all branches of medicine. Their use is necessary for the treatment of allergic, rheumatological, dermatological, pulmonological diseases. Glucocorticoids are also used in resuscitation and intensive care units. The following indications for the use of the medication "Prednisolone" are distinguished:
- Systemic pathologies. These include: acute and chronic rheumatic fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, periarteritis nodosa. Also, the drug is prescribed for systemic articular pathologies. An example is rheumatoid arthritis.
- Allergic diseases. Among them: bronchial asthma, Quincke's edema, generalized urticaria, anaphylactic shock, eczema.
- Pathologies accompanied by adrenal insufficiency. The medication is indicated for Addison's disease, adrenogenital syndrome.
- Dermatological pathology. Among them: alopecia (baldness), pemphigus and psoriasis.
- Diseases of the internal organs, proceeding severely. These include: pneumonia, hepatitis, nephrosis.
- Shock states.
- Edema of the larynx, brain.
- Severe poisoning.
- Coma of hepatic origin.
- Thyrotoxic crisis.
- Ophthalmic diseases: corneal inflammation, blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis.
Dosage Form and Dosage
At present, in many forums one may come across the question: where did prednisone disappear? This is of interest not only to patients, but also to doctors. After all, the deficiency of this medication affects the health of the population. It should be remembered that in such cases, the drug "Prednisolone" can be replaced. Analogues of a drug should be selected only with a doctor, since it is important to take into account the dosage of the active substance.
The form of release of the medication "Prednisolone" is different: tablets, solution, ointment and drops for the eyes. The calculation of the dose of the drug depends on the disease and the age of the patient. Children are prescribed 1-2 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The dosage for adults is from 2 to 6 tablets per day. Each of them contains 5 mg.
The tablet form of the drug is prescribed for systemic pathologies, chronic diseases of the kidneys, lungs. For dermatological problems, 0.5% ointment is used. In case of shock, the dose is increased, and the drug is administered intravenously. It should be remembered that 1 ml of the solution contains 30 mg of the drug. With eye pathologies, drops or ointment are prescribed.
Contraindications to the use of the medication "Prednisolone"
It is worth knowing that there are a number of pathological conditions in which the Prednisolone medication cannot be used. Analogues of the drug in these cases also can not be used. After all, the active substance, both of the medication itself, and its substitutes, is identical. The only contraindication for single use is hypersensitivity to the drug. If the medication "Prednisolone" (5 mg - tablets) is needed for continuous use, then it can not be used in the following cases:
- Viral, fungal and parasitic diseases. Among them: herpes zoster, herpes, amoebiasis.
- Infectious pathologies (chickenpox, measles).
- Acute coronary heart disease (heart attack).
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage, severe.
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiency.
- Severe kidney, liver, heart failure.
- Itzingo-Cushing's disease.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Glaucoma.
- Decompensated diabetes mellitus and 3rd degree obesity.
Why there is no prednisone in pharmacies: reasons
Glucocorticosteroids are included in treatment protocols in almost every branch of medicine. The most famous drug from this group is the medication Prednisolone. How to replace the drug when it is not in the pharmacy? It should be remembered that the analogue of the drug should contain the same active substance. Only in this case, the effectiveness of the medication will remain. In addition, you need to pay attention to the dose, or rather, to the content of the drug in 1 tablet (5, 20 mg) or ampoule.
Not every pharmacist can answer the question why there is no prednisone in pharmacies. The only explanation is that several large drug manufacturing companies stopped producing this drug. Journalists from many cities became interested in this issue. Some of them managed to find out where prednisolone disappeared. Health officials believe that companies removed the drug from production due to higher prices for substances intended for the manufacture of the drug.
Where can I get Prednisolone?
Regardless of why there is no prednisone in pharmacies, this problem should be somehow addressed. After all, many people simply can not do without this drug. According to health officials, the drug should soon be back on sale. This will happen after the revision of drug prices. It is also planned to order the drug “Prednisolone” from other manufacturing companies. Where to buy it at the moment is still unknown. Some people order medicine on the Internet, others ask for the medicine to be sent from other cities (or countries).
Analogues of the drug "Prednisolone"
Deficiency of the drug "Prednisolone" does not mean that you need to stop treatment. This drug is contained in the analogues of the drug. Substitutes for the drug did not disappear from pharmacies, so you should consult a doctor to find the dosage. Analogues of the drug include medicines: Millipred, Decortin, Medopred, Inflanefran.
The drug "Prednisolone": what to replace?
When taking Prednisolone tablets, you can replace it with Decortin. It is available in 5, 20 and 25 mg. Therefore, before use it is important to choose the right dose! Also, the drug is PrednisTab (5 mg).
If the medication is needed in the form of a solution, then other medicines should be purchased. Among them are preparations "Millipred", "Medopred".
For ophthalmic pathologies, 1% Prednefrin solution is used.