Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid medication that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone. It is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, an antineoplastic agent, and an immunosuppressant. Prednisone is chemically similar to cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in stress response, immune function, and metabolic regulation. Cortisol itself is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and is used to treat various conditions, including dermatitis, arthritis, and adrenal gland diseases. While cortisone was one of the first anti-inflammatory steroids used therapeutically, prednisone and other related compounds have largely replaced it due to fewer undesirable side effects.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. prednisone
  2. prednisolone
  3. cortisol
  4. cortisone

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.