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Prednisone is a prescription medication used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It is part of a group of medications known as glucocorticoids, corticosteroids, or simply "steroids" for short.
(Click Prednisone Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
It is made by numerous manufacturers of generic medications.
Prednisone is part of a group of medications called glucocorticoids. These medicines are a type of corticosteroid, or "steroid" for short. Prednisone is similar to glucocorticoids that occur naturally in the body.
Although glucocorticoids have numerous affects in the body, they are used mostly for their anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressing properties. This drug works for most conditions by decreasing inflammation or suppressing an overactive immune system.
When prednisone is taken for more than a few weeks, the body becomes accustomed to it and begins to make less of its natural steroids. If it is stopped too quickly, the body does not have time to adjust, and dangerous side effects can occur (see Prednisone Withdrawal).
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