Prednisolone is an immunosuppressant and a steroid. It is a corticosteroid produced normally by your body which is not the same as an anabolic steroid misused by some body builders.
Prednisolone is often used after a kidney transplant. It is gradually reduced over a period of weeks. After taking prednisolone for more than a few weeks, your body will reduce the amount of natural steroid it produces and so it is important that you reduce your dose as instructed and do not stop it suddenly. You will always be given a blue steroid card to carry around with you. If you are taking prednisolone you need to inform your doctor or dentist before any surgical procedures or dental treatment.
Prednisolone should be given once a day in the morning. Taking prednisolone to your child with food may reduce the chance of indigestion. Prednisolone is available as 5mg tablets that you should swallow whole with water. You will be asked to make up the required dose using the 5mg tablets. For example, a dose of 20mg would require giving four 5 mg tablets. The kidney transplant team will provide instructions on what to do before you are discharged home.
How to get more supply
This will be supplied by your GP going forward. This medication should not be stopped by your GP. If this happens do not stop taking this medication, but contact your kidney transplant team.
Side-effects of Prednisolone
Prednisolone has a number of possible side effects. Most of the side effects happen early on when taking high doses of prednisolone. Your kidney transplant team will reduce your dose to the smallest amount to prevent rejection and these side effects.
- Stomach upset and indigestion (take with/after food to reduce this)
- Insomnia (better to take this tablet as early as possible in the morning)
- Weight gain due to increased appetite
- Blurry vision (do not visit your optician until your dose is reduced to 5mg once a day)
- Diabetes (increased sugar in blood)
You may experience some of these side effects. Tell your kidney transplant team if you do, there is often a solution. Your blood sugars will be reviewed in clinic.
What to do if you forget to take a dose of Prednisolone
If you forget to take prednisolone but remember before 18:00, take it and take your next dose at the normal time the following morning. If you remember after 20:00, do not take the missed dose and take your normal dose the following morning. The later in the day you take the dose the more chance you will experience night time side effects.
What do I do if I vomit after I have had a dose of Prednisolone?
If you vomit within 30 minutes of taking prednisolone, repeat the same dose again. If you vomit 30 minutes after taking prednisolone do not repeat the dose and wait until the next normal dose is due.
If you continue to vomit or you are concerned you are unwell please contact the kidney transplant team.
Last reviewed: 24 March 2026