Can't find Prednisolone? Learn about safe alternatives like Prednisone, Dexamethasone, and Methylprednisolone — how they compare, and what to ask your doctor.
You've been prescribed Prednisolone, but your pharmacy can't fill it. Maybe the liquid form is on backorder. Maybe every pharmacy in your area is out. This has become an increasingly common experience for patients — and it's understandably alarming when you or your child needs a steroid now.
The good news is that Prednisolone isn't the only corticosteroid available. Several alternatives treat the same conditions, and your doctor can often switch your prescription quickly. But it's important to understand how these alternatives compare before making any changes.
Important: Never switch medications on your own. Always talk to your doctor or prescriber before taking a different corticosteroid.
Prednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid — a medication that mimics cortisol, a natural hormone your body produces. It works by suppressing inflammation and dampening an overactive immune system.
Doctors prescribe Prednisolone for conditions including:
What makes Prednisolone unique compared to some other steroids is that it's already in its active form. Unlike Prednisone, which the liver must convert into Prednisolone before it works, Prednisolone gets to work immediately. This makes it the preferred choice for patients with liver problems and for young children.
It comes as an oral solution (liquid), syrup, orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), and standard tablet. Brand names include Orapred, Prelone, Pediapred, and Millipred.
The following medications are in the same corticosteroid class and are commonly used as alternatives. Each has its own strengths and considerations.
How it compares: Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed oral corticosteroid in the United States and the closest substitute for Prednisolone. It's a prodrug — meaning your liver converts it into Prednisolone after you swallow it. For most patients with normal liver function, the two drugs are essentially equivalent.
Available forms: Tablets (1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg), oral solution, and Intensol concentrated solution.
Key differences:
Best for: Adults and older children who can swallow tablets and have normal liver function.
How it compares: Dexamethasone is a long-acting, high-potency corticosteroid — roughly 6 to 7 times more potent than Prednisolone, milligram for milligram. It has a longer duration of action (36-72 hours vs. 12-36 hours for Prednisolone), which means fewer doses may be needed.
Available forms: Tablets, oral solution (0.5 mg/5 mL, 1 mg/mL), injection, and elixir.
Key differences:
Best for: Croup, acute asthma exacerbations (where short-course treatment is appropriate), and situations where a liquid alternative to Prednisolone is needed.
How it compares: Methylprednisolone is slightly more potent than Prednisolone (about 1.25x) and has somewhat less tendency to cause fluid retention and sodium imbalance. It's available as oral tablets (Medrol) and an injectable form (Solu-Medrol). The Medrol Dose Pack — a pre-packaged 6-day tapering course — is one of the most commonly prescribed steroid products in the U.S.
Available forms: Tablets (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg), Medrol Dose Pack (4 mg tablets), injection (Solu-Medrol, Depo-Medrol).
Key differences:
Best for: Adults and older children who need a short anti-inflammatory course and can take tablets. Not suitable for young children who need liquid medication.
How it compares: Hydrocortisone is the synthetic form of the body's natural cortisol. It's less potent than Prednisolone (about one-quarter the strength), which means higher doses are needed for the same anti-inflammatory effect. It's primarily used for adrenal insufficiency replacement therapy rather than as a strong anti-inflammatory.
Available forms: Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg), injection, rectal formulations, and topical creams.
Key differences:
Best for: Patients with adrenal insufficiency, or situations where a milder corticosteroid is appropriate.
If you can't find Prednisolone, here's what to bring up with your prescriber:
Not being able to fill your Prednisolone prescription is stressful, but it's a solvable problem in most cases. Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, and Hydrocortisone are all well-established alternatives with decades of clinical use.
Before switching, always talk to your doctor. And before assuming Prednisolone is completely unavailable, try searching on Medfinder — you may find a pharmacy nearby that has it in stock. For more tips on locating it, see our guide on how to find Prednisolone in stock near you.
For a deeper look at what's driving the supply issues, read why Prednisolone is so hard to find in 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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