Prednisone is a class of medications called corticosteroids. These drugs work to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are naturally occurring (or the lack of it naturally occurring) by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by adjusting the way the immune system works.
According to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, “Prednisone is a potent therapeutic agent influencing the biochemical behavior of most tissues in the body. When prednisone is compared with the naturally occurring glucocorticoids, cortisone and cortisol (hydrocortisone), its anti-inflammatory effects are 5 times more potent whilst its mineralocorticoid properties are less pronounced. The onset of action of prednisone varies considerably depending on the dose and condition for which it is used. Its duration of action is approximately 18 to 36 hours.”
Prednisone is a fast-acting and fast-absorbing drug.
Key Takeaways
Prednisone generally “starts working” within a few hours after consumption (considering the absorption time and distribution period time combined). However, reaching full elimination period (or when it starts to “take effect” based on your symptoms or issues) may be anywhere from 1 to 3 days in total.
Your body's metabolic rate and the health of your liver may have some impact on these times. However, even with some liver issues, the rates won’t change dramatically.
Read more: What is considered to be a “high dose” of Prednisone?
How Long Until Prednisone Starts to Work
Generally speaking, Prednisone should start working within a few hours. But it may take up to 3-days before you start feeling the full effects of your prescription. This “few hours” stage is considered the absorption time, distribution period, and biotransformation period. However, full elimination period completeness (or metabolization—when you’ll start to feel the effects of your prescription) may take a few days.
Absorption Time
Prednisone is readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and has a pre-conversion biological half-life of around 60 minutes before hydroxylation in the liver to its active metabolite prednisolone.
Distribution Period
Prednisolone has a plasma half-life of 2 to 3 hours and is extensively bound to plasma proteins. At around this period of your metabolization stage, the Prednisone drug should start to “work.”
Biotransformation Period
There are wide inter-individual differences in the rate of metabolism of prednisolone. Prednisolone is metabolized primarily in the liver to biologically inactive metabolites (primarily the glucuronide and sulphate). While it’s not known for sure, the conversion of Prednisone is potentially not diminished by those who may have liver disease or liver issues.
Elimination Period
During this period, Prednisone is excreted in the urine as free and conjugated metabolites together with an appreciable amount of unchanged prednisolone.
Read more: How long does Prednisone stay in your system?
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Sources
MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Prednisone: MedlinePlus Drug Information. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly? Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/prednisone-withdrawal/expert-answers/faq-20057923
Forefront Dermatology. (2015). Prednisone 12-day taper schedule. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://forefrontdermatology.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dr-Ballo-Prednisone-Handout-12-day-taper-10-28-15.pdf
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Prednisone in clinical trials. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials/intervention/prednisone
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