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Deltasone (prednisone)
Prednisone is one of the most prescribed corticosteroids worldwide, approved in 1955. A prodrug converted to prednisolone in the liver, it is used across virtually every medical specialty for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Available generically at very low cost.
At a glance
| Generic name | prednisone |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Deltasone, Rayos, Sterapred |
| Sponsor | Generic (originally Schering) |
| Drug class | Corticosteroid [EPC] |
| Target | Annexin A1, Sodium/nucleoside cotransporter 1, Glucocorticoid receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1955-01-01 (United States) |
Approved indications
- Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
- Nonsuppurative thyroiditis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)
- Acute rheumatic carditis
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
Common side effects
- Hypertension or aggravation of hypertension
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Nausea
- Edema
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- Moon face
- Hirsutism
- Muscle weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Gastric irritation
- Insomnia
Serious adverse events
- Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
- Anaphylaxis
- Myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction
- Pulmonary edema
- Thromboembolism
- Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads
- Pancreatitis
- Tendon rupture
- Congestive heart failure
- Perforation of the small and large intestine
Key clinical trials
- Baricitinib in Patients With Relapsing or naïve Dermatomyositis: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (BIRD) (Phase 3)
- Observational Prospective Study, Evaluating the Standard of Care as Recommend by International Consensus With Zidovudine-Pegylated Interferon +/-Polychemotherapy in High Risk Adult-T-cell Lymphoma/Leu (N/A)
- A Phase III Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Capivasertib+Abiraterone Versus Placebo+Abiraterone as Treatment for Patients With DeNovo Metastatic (Phase 3)
- Cytokines Evaluation in Early Calcineurin Inhibitors Withdrawn on Renal Transplant (Phase 4)
- Transplantation After Complete Response In Patients With T-cell Lymphoma (NA)
- Trial of Early Aggressive Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (TREAT in JIA) (Phase 4)
- Medical Ethics Committee of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University (Phase 2)
- A Randomized Phase II Trial of EPOCH Given Either Concurrently or Sequentially With Rituximab in Patients With Intermediate- or High-Grade HIV-Associated B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Phase 2)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 8168218 | 2028-01-07 | Formulation |
| 9504699 | 2027-08-03 | Method of Use |
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |