What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Cortisone and prednisolone
Prednisolone's FDA label of June 25, 2026 names cortisone in its warnings section; cortisone's label does not name prednisolone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The prednisolone label: “Cardio-renal Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.”
Check it at the source: the cortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Chartwell RX, LLC); the prednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 2026, PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma).
What does the cortisone label say about prednisolone?
Cortisone's label does not name prednisolone itself; it warns about its class (Corticosteroids):
Cortisone label, warningsVaricella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including cortisone acetate tablets.
Cortisone label, warningsIn cerebral malaria, a double-blind trial has shown that the use of corticosteroids is associated with prolongation of coma and a higher incidence of pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Source: FDA drug label (Cortisone Acetate), Chartwell RX, LLC, effective June 6, 2025 (SPL set cc158d11-f356-4696-8b73-5d2681dcbcf2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the prednisolone label say about cortisone?
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.
Source: FDA drug label (PrednisoLONE Sodium Phosphate), PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma, effective June 25, 2026 (SPL set d1f937e7-fed5-4079-bd52-5d930b34ae9f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Cortisone | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | 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 |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $4.72 per mL 1% eye drop |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once