Prednisolone

Question 1

What is the presentation?

Answer 1

25mg in 5mL suspension of Redipred

Question 2

What is it and what does it do?

Answer 2

Prednisolone is a steroid. It prevents the release of inflammatory mediators

Question 3

What is the onset?

Answer 3

Peak effect within 1hr

Question 4

What are the indications?

Answer 4

Mild / Moderate croup

Severe croup after nebulised Adrenaline administration

Question 5

What are the contraindications?

Answer 5

Known hypersensitivity to corticosteroids

Live virus immunisation within last 48 hours (e.g. MMR, Chicken Pox, Yellow Fever)

Question 6

What are the precautions?

Answer 6

30ml Bottle is single patient use only
Children who are on immunosuppressant drugs are more susceptible to infections than healthy children, e.g.: Chicken pox and measles
Impaired immune responsiveness

Question 7

What are the doses for children?

Answer 7

Each 1ml of solution contains 5mg of prednisolone
Administer 1mg/kg to maximum single dose of 25mg
Single dose only
< 12 months (< 10 kg): 10 mg (2 mL)
1 -3 years (10 - 15 kg): 10 - 15 mg (2 - 3 mL)
4 - 5 years (15 - 20 kg): 15 - 20 mg (3 - 4 mL)
6 - 8 years (20 - 25 kg): 20 - 25 mg(4 - 5 mL)

Question 8

What are the side effects?

Answer 8

Side effects occur following prolonged use and are of little consequence in an emergency setting
Vomiting