CLINICAL USE


Corticosteroid:Immunosuppression Anti-inflammatory

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

Oral: variableIM: 25–100 mg once or twice weekly (as prednisolone acetate)

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :360.4
  • %Protein binding &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :70–95 saturable
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine &nbsp &nbsp : 11–30
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg) &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :1.3–1.7
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :2–4/Increased

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50 &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20 &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10 &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp : Dose as in normal renal function

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp:Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function

  • HD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HDF/high flux &nbsp :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • CAV/VVHD &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp:Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
  • Antibacterials: metabolism accelerated by rifamycins; metabolism possibly inhibited by erythromycin
  • Anticoagulants: efficacy of coumarins may be altered
  • Anti-epileptics: metabolism accelerated by carbamazepine, barbiturates, phenytoin and primidone
  • Antifungals: increased risk of hypokalaemia with amphotericin – avoid concomitant use; metabolism possibly inhibited by itraconazole and ketoconazole
  • Antivirals: concentration possibly increased by ritonavir
  • Ciclosporin: rare reports of convulsions in patients on ciclosporin and high-dose corticosteroids; increased levels of prednisolone; increased ciclosporin levels reported with prednisoloneCytotoxics: increased risk of haematological toxicity with methotrexate
  • Diuretics: enhanced hypokalaemic effects of acetazolamide, loop diuretics and thiazide diureticsVaccines: high dose corticosteroids can impair immune response to vaccines – avoid concomitant use with live vaccines

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    Oral, IM, rectal

    Rate of Administration

    Comments

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Evidence of unpredictable bioavailability from enteric coated tablets – avoid if possible.