Two medicines, side by side
Hydrocortisone vs prednisolone
Hydrocortisone and prednisolone are both labeled for osteoarthritis, asthma, allergies, crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, herpes and shingles, eczema (atopic dermatitis), leukemia and lymphoma and myeloma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of hydrocortisone since 1951 and of prednisolone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) and $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Hydrocortisone's other strengths are brand-only: $51.43 per Solu-cortef 250 mg act-o-vial. Prednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $30.66 per mL (Pred mild 0.12% eye drops).
Check it at the source: the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the prednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 2026).
Highlights of the hydrocortisone record
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes due to: • eczema • psoriasis • poison ivy, oak, sumac • insect bites • detergents • jewelry • seborrheic dermatitis • cosmetics • soaps • temporarily relieves external anal and genital itching • other uses of this product should only be under the advice and supervision of a doctor
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1951
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0613 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the prednisolone record
Prednisolone (Pred) · label of June 25, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution is indicated in the following conditions: 1. Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in adult and pediatric populations with: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis; asthma; contact dermatitis; atopic dermatitis; serum sickness; drug hypersensitivity reactions. 2. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 22, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.72 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026, Prednisolone label of June 25, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do hydrocortisone and prednisolone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: hydrocortisone since 1971; prednisolone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Hydrocortisone | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Anemia, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Prednisolone is 70-90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 21, 1951 | May 22, 1955 |
| First generic approved | December 22, 1971 | November 24, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) | $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 97,782 | 191,407 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Prednisolone label, warningsCardio-renal Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.
Prednisolone label, drug interactionsAmphotericin B: There have been cases reported in which concomitant use of Amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure (see also Potassium depleting agents).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to hydrocortisone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions