Prescription medication · Corticosteroid
prednisolone
Also sold as Orapred, Pediapred. This medicine treats swelling and redness in your eye.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 173,227
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 14
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 5
- Recall records
What the data shows
prednisolone (Orapred) is a prescription Corticosteroid, more reported than roughly 9 in 10 tracked drugs (173,227 FDA reports), with 14 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
prednisolone (Orapred) is a prescription Corticosteroid. This medicine treats swelling and redness in your eye.
Prednisolone eye drops reduce inflammation in your eye. It is a type of steroid medicine.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.96/unit
Generic Available
Yes (16 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats swelling and redness in your eye.
Common side effects
Eye pain, Feeling like something is in your eye, Headache
Key warnings
Using steroid eye drops for a long time may cause glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or cataracts.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from prednisolone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation in the eye. This helps to relieve redness, swelling, and pain.
How to Take It
Shake the bottle well before using. Put 1 or 2 drops into your eye. Do this 2 to 4 times each day. You may need to use it more often during the first 1 or 2 days. Do not stop using the drops too soon.
This is a plain-language summary of prednisolone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if prednisolone eye drops will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
This is a plain-language summary of prednisolone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of prednisolone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C). Do not freeze. Store the bottle upright.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 173,227 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for prednisolone, by number of reports
- Fever
Fever
8,198 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
6,809 reports
- Lung infection
Lung infection
6,760 reports
- Loose or watery stools
Loose or watery stools
6,510 reports
- Condition is getting worse
Condition is getting worse
5,689 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
5,362 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
4,965 reports
- Feeling very tired
Feeling very tired
4,892 reports
- Blood infection
Blood infection
4,479 reports
- Pain in the head
Pain in the head
4,465 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for prednisolone each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where prednisolone sits
prednisolone has more FDA adverse-event reports than 93% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is prednisolone; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 173,227 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
173,227
Reports Mentioning Death
27,831
16.1% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
79,445
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | PYREXIA | 8,197 |
| 4 | DYSPNOEA | 6,807 |
| 5 | PNEUMONIA | 6,760 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 6,510 |
| 7 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 5,688 |
| 8 | NAUSEA | 5,363 |
| 9 | VOMITING | 4,963 |
| 10 | FATIGUE | 4,894 |
| 12 | SEPSIS | 4,479 |
| 13 | HEADACHE | 4,466 |
| 14 | RASH | 4,216 |
| 15 | ARTHRALGIA | 4,123 |
| 16 | MALAISE | 4,073 |
| 17 | ANAEMIA | 3,884 |
| 18 | PAIN | 3,746 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Using steroid eye drops for a long time may cause glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or cataracts. It can also make it harder for your eye to heal if you have an injury. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days.
Known Drug Interactions
albuterol, systemic and inhaled mebendazole amoxicillin medroxyprogesterone ampicillin, with or without sulbactam methylprednisolone atenolol metronidazole azithromycin metoprolol caffeine, dietary ingestion nadolol cefaclor nifedipine co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) nizatidine diltiazem norfloxacin dirithromycin ofloxacin enflurane omeprazole famotidine prednisone, prednisolone felodipine ranitidine finasteride rifabutin hydrocortisone roxithromycin isoflurane Sorbitol (purgative doses do not inhibit theophylline absorption) isoniazid sucralfate isradipine terbutaline,...
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs together can change how quickly your body gets rid of theophylline. This may cause the amount of medicine in your blood to go up or down.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your theophylline dose when you start or stop this steroid. Report any new or worsening side effects to your healthcare provider.
betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroids Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression. Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone, prednisone and prednisolone (for which PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other steroids) should be considered, particularly for long term use.
Mechanism: Darunavir has a smaller effect on prednisolone than on other steroids, so the levels do not rise as much. This makes it a safer choice when a steroid is needed.
What to do: This combination is often preferred over other steroids, but your doctor should still check for any side effects during treatment.
Corticosteroids primarily metabolized by CYP3A betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroid Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression. Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone, prednisone, and prednisolone should be considered.
Mechanism: This specific steroid is considered a safer alternative because it is less affected by the antiviral than other steroids. It is less likely to build up to dangerous levels in your system.
What to do: This is a preferred steroid to use if you are taking this antiviral. Your doctor will determine if this is the right choice for your treatment.
In addition, carbamazepine causes, or would be expected to cause, decreased levels of the following drugs, for which monitoring of concentrations or dosage adjustment may be necessary: acetaminophen, albendazole, alprazolam, aprepitant, buprenorphone, bupropion, citalopram, clonazepam, clozapine, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone, dexamethasone), cyclosporine, dicumarol, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., felodipine), doxycycline, ethosuximide, everolimus, haloperidol, imatinib, itraconazole, lamotrigine, levothyroxine, methadone, methsuximide, mianserin, midazolam,...
Mechanism: Carbamazepine makes your body break down prednisolone faster, which lowers the amount of medicine in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of prednisolone or monitor your condition more closely.
Concomitant use with ethinyl estradiol-containing COCs may increase systemic exposure of other drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, prednisolone, theophylline, tizanidine, and voriconazole).
Mechanism: Estradiol can slow down how your body processes prednisolone, which causes the steroid to build up in your system.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your prednisolone dose or monitor you more closely for steroid side effects.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I use this medicine if I have an eye infection?
What should I do if my vision gets worse while using these drops?
Can I wear contact lenses while using these drops?
How long should I use these eye drops?
Can these drops cause any other side effects?
What if I accidentally swallow some of the eye drops?
Can I use these drops with other eye medicines?
What does 'shake well before using' mean?
How do I put the drops in my eye?
Can I drive after using these eye drops?
What are the common side effects of prednisolone?
Does prednisolone interact with other medications?
What drug class is prednisolone?
Is prednisolone safe during pregnancy?
Has prednisolone been recalled?
Active Recalls
Failed Stability Specifications
AbbVie Inc.
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Imprimis NJOF, LLC
Subpotent Drug
Imprimis NJOF, LLC
CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.
Akorn, Inc.
Defective Container: Product has incomplete induction seals.
Akorn, Inc
Related Medications in Corticosteroid
Other drugs grouped near prednisolone - same-class peers and common alternatives.
aclidinium
Tudorza Pressair
Compare with prednisolone →
albuterol
Ventolin, ProAir
Albuterol is a drug that helps you breathe easier.
Compare with prednisolone →
albuterol/ipratropium
Combivent Respimat, DuoNeb
Combivent Respimat is a combination medicine that helps open your airways.
Compare with prednisolone →
beclomethasone
Qvar
Qvar Redihaler is an inhaled medicine that helps control asthma symptoms.
Compare with prednisolone →
benralizumab
Fasenra
Fasenra is a medicine that can help treat severe asthma and EGPA.
Compare with prednisolone →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on prednisolone
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for prednisolone
The FDA label for prednisolone (sold under brand names such as Orapred, Pediapred) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Corticosteroid class. This medicine treats swelling and redness in your eye. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Eye pain, Feeling like something is in your eye, Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 173,227 voluntary reports. The database also lists 14 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.96.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 5 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: February 2, 2024
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages