Prednisone and prednisolone
generic prednisone · generic prednisolone · PrednisTab (veterinary)
Prednisone and prednisolone are the corticosteroids vets use for allergies, itching, inflammatory bowel disease, immune-mediated diseases, some cancers and Addison’s disease. Both are cheap human generics any pharmacy can fill. Cats should get prednisolone, not prednisone, because they convert prednisone poorly.
What it is used for
Corticosteroids suppress inflammation and the immune system. In dogs and cats they treat allergic skin disease and ear inflammation, asthma in cats, inflammatory bowel disease, immune-mediated anaemia and platelet disorders, lymphoma as part of chemotherapy, and Addison’s disease as replacement. Short courses are tapered; long-term use is kept to the lowest dose that controls the disease, often every other day in dogs.
Prednisone is converted in the liver to prednisolone, the active form. Cats and horses do this inefficiently, so vets prescribe prednisolone for them; dogs can take either. Increased thirst, urination, hunger and panting are expected in dogs on meaningful doses; cats show fewer signs but can develop diabetes with long courses.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Never combine with an NSAID such as meloxicam or carprofen; the combination causes stomach ulcers and bleeding.
- Do not stop a course of more than a few days suddenly; the vet will taper it.
- Steroids raise blood sugar, mask infections and can cause muscle loss and skin changes with long use; the vet will monitor.
- Cats and horses need prednisolone; check the label says prednisolone if that is what was prescribed.
- Tablets (human prednisone and prednisolone)
- Oral solutions (human; check sweeteners)
- Compounded liquids and small-dose capsules for cats
- 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg prednisone tablets
- 5 mg prednisolone tablets and oral solutions
Prednisolone tablets come in fewer strengths than prednisone; cats on small doses often need a liquid or compounded capsule.
Why the cash price varies
Both drugs cost pharmacies pennies per tablet; the cash price is the dispensing fee. Prednisolone tablets are stocked less widely than prednisone and the human prednisolone liquids cost more. Compounded cat preparations are made to order.
How to pay less
- For a dog, ask the vet to write a prednisone strength the pharmacy stocks and a quantity that covers the whole taper.
- For a cat, ask whether a quartered 5 mg prednisolone tablet is practical before paying for compounding.
- Ask whether prednisone or prednisolone is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote. You pay the pharmacy directly.
Questions for your vet
- Is this prednisone or prednisolone, and why?
- How is the dose tapered, and what if I miss a dose?
- What side effects should I expect, and which mean I should call?
- Is my pet on anything that must not be combined with a steroid?
- If long-term, what monitoring is planned?
Rules on refills, transfers and controlled substances differ by state; see pharmacy rules by state.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for your pet’s prednisone and prednisolone prescription
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your your pet’s prednisone and prednisolone prescription prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Related pet medications
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- FDA Orange Book (approved generics and therapeutic equivalence)
- MedlinePlus drug information (National Library of Medicine)
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist. Last checked 2026-10-03. Nothing here replaces your vet\u2019s directions; doses for animals are set by weight and species.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.