Back To Top

Prednisolone 5mg

Order Prednisolone 5mg and other prescription medications quickly and securely from MedsforLess.co.uk.
✔️ We use UK-registered pharmacies and doctors
✔️ We provide competitive prices
✔️ Free delivery options available
✔️ No hassle, discreet service

👉 Order now with confidence at MedsforLess.co.uk

Order within

  • 00h
  • 00m
  • 00s

to receive your order on Tuesday September 29, 2026

*Product images are for illustrative purposes only, and you may receive a different licensed alternative.

Price Checker

Price range: £20.49 through £23.99

More Product information

Prednisolone 5mg Tablets

Description:
Prednisolone 5mg tablets are a prescription corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. It is commonly prescribed for a wide range of conditions, including allergic reactions, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, skin disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune conditions.

Active Ingredient:

  • Prednisolone 5mg per tablet

Uses:

  • Reduces inflammation in the body

  • Helps manage conditions such as:

    • Asthma

    • Severe allergies

    • Rheumatoid arthritis

    • Lupus

    • Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

    • Eczema and other skin conditions

    • Certain types of cancer

Dosage & Administration:

  • As prescribed by a healthcare professional

  • Typically taken once daily, preferably in the morning with food

Warnings:

  • Prescription-only medication

  • Not suitable for long-term use without medical supervision

  • Do not stop taking abruptly — follow tapering guidance from your doctor

  • Inform your doctor of any other medications you’re taking

Side Effects May Include:

  • Increased appetite or weight gain

  • Insomnia

  • Mood changes

  • Increased blood pressure or blood sugar

  • Risk of infection (immunosuppressive effect)

Storage:

  • Store below 25°C

  • Keep out of sight and reach of children


ℹ️ Important: Always follow the advice and dosage instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist. This product requires a valid prescription.

What Is Prednisolone 5mg?

Prednisolone 5mg is a prescription corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and suppress an overactive immune response. It works in a similar way to cortisol, a natural corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands.

Prednisolone tablets may be prescribed for a range of inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune conditions, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and certain severe skin conditions. The exact dose and duration of treatment depend on the condition being treated and should always follow the instructions provided by a doctor or pharmacist.

The “5mg” refers to the amount of prednisolone contained in each tablet. This strength may be prescribed on its own, combined with other tablet strengths or used as part of a gradual dose-reduction regimen.

If you plan to buy Prednisolone 5mg tablets online, the medicine should only be supplied following an appropriate medical assessment and with a valid UK prescription.

What Is Prednisolone 5mg Used For?

Doctors prescribe prednisolone 5mg for the following purposes:

  • As a low daily maintenance dose
  • As part of a tapering (reducing) course
  • In combination with other tablet strengths

It is used to treat the following common conditions:

  • Asthma and severe allergies
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis)
  • Lupus and other autoimmune conditions
  • Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
  • Certain blood disorders

How Prednisolone 5mg Tablets Work

Prednisolone (figure 1) oral tablets work by reducing inflammation and calming an overactive immune system. They are part of a group of medicines called corticosteroids (steroids).

This medication mimics a natural hormone called cortisol. In the body, cortisol regulates inflammation, the immune response, stress response, and blood sugar levels. When the body is inflamed or the immune system is overreacting, it helps restore balance.

Inflammation can cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, heat, and pain. It blocks the release of inflammatory chemicals (such as prostaglandins or cytokines), which:

  • Reduce tissue swelling
  • Relieve pain
  • Calm flare-ups
  • Improve breathing during an asthma attack

In autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. As such, prednisolone decreases immune cell activity and reduces immune-driven tissue damage.

Figure 1: Prednisolone 5mg buy from Meds From Less

How to Take Prednisolone 5mg Tablets

Take Prednisolone 5mg exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Unless you have been given different instructions, standard prednisolone tablets are commonly taken once daily in the morning with breakfast.

Swallow the tablets with water. If you have been supplied with gastro-resistant or enteric-coated tablets, follow the specific instructions provided with that medicine.

If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless it is already the following day. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Do not suddenly stop taking prednisolone without speaking to your doctor. Depending on the dose and how long you have been taking the medicine, your doctor may recommend gradually reducing the dose before stopping treatment.

Dosage Information

The correct dose of prednisolone to take depends on your condition, its severity, your age, and your response to treatment. Prednisolone doses can vary widely:

The appropriate dose of prednisolone varies depending on the condition being treated, its severity, the length of treatment and the individual patient. Prednisolone should therefore be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor.

Prednisolone tablets are available in different strengths, and more than one tablet may sometimes be required to make up the prescribed dose. The 5mg strength may also be used as part of a gradual dose-reduction or tapering regimen.

Unless a doctor or pharmacist gives different instructions, prednisolone is commonly taken as a single daily dose in the morning. Do not change the dose or stop taking prednisolone without medical advice.

Dosing of prednisolone in a child is calculated based on their condition and their body weight. If you are considering oral steroids for children, please speak to a doctor before administering this medication.

If this medication is taken orally consistently for 2–3 weeks, the dose must be reduced gradually in a tapering regimen over time. This helps prevent adrenal suppression, where the body stops producing enough cortisol.

The following is an overview of the 5 mg tablet price and the different dosage prices as sold by Meds For Less.

Table 1: dosage and pricing information at Meds For Less (Including prednisolone 5 mg price)

Prednisolone TabletsDosagePricing
Pack of 28 Prednisolone tablets  (normal)2.5 mg£17.49
Pack of 28 Prednisolone tablets (normal)5 mg£19.99
Pack of 28 Prednisolone tablets (Gastro-resistant)2.5mg£17.49
Pack of 28 Prednisolone tablets (Gastro-resistant)5mg£19.99

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Team Before Taking This Medicine?

Before starting prednisolone, it is important to provide your GP, Pharmacist, or specialist doctor with a full medical history. As prednisolone affects your immune system and hormones, taking it alongside certain conditions requires extra care.

It is important to tell your healthcare providers if you have:

Infection (Current or Recurrent): Such as TB, Fever, Cough, Fungal Infection, Chickenpox or Shingles

Long-term health conditions such as diabetes, prednisolone, heart disease, osteoporosis, glaucoma, stomach ulcers, thyroid disease or Epilepsy.

History of mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety or past-steroid mood-related changes

It is also important to tell your healthcare providers about any medicines you take, as some medicines interact with prednisolone so a dose adjustment may be required.

Please also inform your healthcare team if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and your healthcare provider will weigh the risks/ benefits of using prednisolone.

Possible Side Effects of Prednisolone 5mg Tablets

Like all medicines, prednisolone can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The likelihood and severity of side effects can depend on the dose, duration of treatment and individual health factors. Some effects may occur soon after starting treatment, while others are more associated with longer-term corticosteroid use.

Common side effects with short-term and mild usage include:

  • Increased appetite
  • Mild weight gain
  • Indigestion or stomach discomfort
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • Mood changes (can sometimes feel erratic)
  • Headaches

Taking prednisolone in the morning with food can reduce some of these effects.

Side effects with long-term (weeks or months) use include:

  • Metabolic effects such as:
    • Weight gain (especially around the face or the abdomen)
    • Raised blood sugar
    • Fluid retention
  • Bone and muscle effects
    • Osteoporosis (bone thinning)
    • Muscle weakness
  • Skin changes
    • Thinning skin
    • Easy bruising
    • Slow wound healing
    • Acne
  • Eye problems
    • Cataracts
    • Glaucoma

There are rarely any very serious side effects to taking prednisolone. These side effects are rarer still at the very low 5mg dose. However, it is important to be aware of these, and if they do occur, please seek medical help.

  • Signs of infection, such as fever or persistent sore throat
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Sudden vision problems
  • Swelling of the face or another severe allergic reaction.

If you have been taking prednisolone for more than 2-3 weeks continuously, do not stop suddenly. Sudden withdrawal can lead to adrenal insufficiency (where the body’s own cortisol production is suppressed) and cause symptoms like dizziness, fatigue or low blood pressure.

What Medicines Can Interact with Prednisolone 5mg?

Prednisolone can normally interact with a range of medications. Some medicines can increase the risk of side effects, while others can reduce how well prednisolone works. Hence, it is important to tell your healthcare provider about any prescription, herbal or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines you are taking.

Medicines that interact with prednisolone to increase side effects include:

  • NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and Naproxen)
    • Increases the risk of stomach irritation or ulcers
    • Hence, sometimes Prednisolone is also sold in gastro-resistant forms
  • Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin)
    • May affect blood clotting levels and increase the time it takes to clot
    • Extra monitoring may be required
  • Diabetes medications (e.g. Insulin or metformin)
    • Prednisolone can raise blood sugar
    • Dose adjustment may be needed

Medicines that can interact with prednisolone to affect the immune system:

  • Other immunosuppressants like Methotrexate or Ciclosporin

Medicines that can interact with how potent/ available Prednisolone is:

  • Certain antifungals, like Ketoconazole or antibiotics like Clarithromycin can increase the risk of side effects
  • Certain antibiotics like Rifampicin or anti-epileptics (like Carbamazepine or Phenytoin) can reduce steroid effectiveness and hence it’s risk of side effects,

Hence, prednisolone can interact with a wide range of medicines. Please declare any medicines (OTC, Prescription or Herbal) that you are taking to your healthcare provider before getting prescribed prednisolone 5mg.

What to Watch for While Using This Medicine

While prednisolone 5mg is a low dose, it still affects the immune system, hormones and metabolism. Monitoring for changes helps us ensure safe use, especially with long-term treatment.

Watch out for signs of infection:

Prednisolone can suppress one’s immune system and cause fever, persistent sore throat, unusual tiredness or wounds that won’t heal.

Watch out for these factors as they can be signs of a suppressed immune system due to prednisolone.

Watch out for mood changes:

Some people taking prednisolone experience irritability, anxiety, low mood or difficulty sleeping. If these mood changes are particularly distressing, please seek medical help.

Prednisolone can also cause blood sugar changes. If you are diabetic or struggle with high blood sugar, please watch out for the following  blood sugar-related changes:

Increased thirst, frequent urination or fatigue

These can be signs of worsening diabetes or high blood sugar.

Watch out for body changes:

Prednisolone can cause Swelling in the ankles, fluid retention or puffiness in the face. A balanced diet or reduced salt intake can help manage this.

How to Store Prednisolone 5mg Tablets

Storing this medication safely and effectively helps keep it stable and effective.

It is best stored at room temperature and kept away from direct heat sources (such as radiators or ovens). Do not freeze the tablet pack or strip.

It should be kept away from moisture and humidity. Do not store it in the bathroom, as damp conditions can damage it, and keep the tablets in their original blister packaging until use.

It is best stored in its original packaging and away from direct sunlight.

Check the expiry date on the back of the strip and do not use it past its expiry date. If the medicine has expired, return it to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

FAQ

How long prednisolone takes to work at a dose of 5mg depends on why it is being taken and individual responsiveness. 

For conditions such as asthma flare-ups and severe allergic reactions, prednisolone 5mg can allow for improvements within a few hours. It is more effective within a few hours if used at higher doses.

For inflammatory conditions such as Inflammatory arthritis, skin conditions or autoimmune conditions, symptoms usually start to settle down within 1-3 days of using prednisolone. 

For chronic inflammatory changes, it may take 1-2 weeks of continuous prednisolone usage to bring about any noticeable change with steroid usage. 

At the low 5mg dose, the effects of prednisolone may be less than normal. It may not be strong enough to deal with severe flare-ups in a short time frame, and even minor improvements (asthma response or arthritis response) may take days to occur.

Usually prednisolone at any dose should not be stopped suddenly, especially if you have been taking it consistently for 2-3 weeks. 

Prednisolone mimics cortisol, a hormone your body normally makes in the adrenal (above kidney) glands. If you consistently take and use steroids for several weeks or longer, then your body reduces its own cortisol production and the adrenal glands become “suppressed”. Suddenly stopping exogenous steroid usage can lead to your body not having enough steroids (as body production has now been suppressed), which can lead to adrenal insufficiency,y which can be serious. 

Symptoms of sudden steroid withdrawal can include:

  • Severe fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and Vomitting
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Feeling faint 

In severe cases, this can become a medical emergency. 

If you have been on long-term steroid treatment (even 5mg) for at least 2-3 weeks, then please speak to your doctor about stopping. They can advise on how to taper the dose and gradually reduce it to stop a steroid crisis. 

Sometimes, if you have been taking prednisolone for less than 2-3 weeks (a short period), it can be safe to stop without having the usual tapering off. However, please speak to your healthcare provider about this. 

Prednisolone 5mg tablets are used to reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity. They may be prescribed for conditions such as severe allergies, asthma flare-ups, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases and certain skin conditions. The exact reason for treatment depends on the condition being managed and the dosage prescribed by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a single tablet (tab prednisolone 5mg), then it is not dangerous alone; it is important to handle it correctly. 

If you remember your missed dose on the same day, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s later in the day but still the same day, you can usually take it but take it with food. 

If it is nearly time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. 

Doubling up on prednisolone doses can cause stomach irritation, mood changes and sleep disturbances. 

If you miss several doses, and are normally on long-term treatment/ are on tapering treatment, then please contact your doctor/pharmacist before restarting. Suddenly stopping after long-term use can also cause withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue or dizziness. 

Prednisolone 5mg tablets can be safe for long-term use in some people, but only with regular medication monitoring. Even though 5mg daily is considered a low steroid dose, long-term use can still carry some risks. 

Prednisolone long-term use needs monitoring because the medicine affects the immune system, human metabolism, bone strength and blood sugar regulation. 

The potential long-term risks of prednisolone (even at 5mg) include:

  • Increasing fracture risk because of bone thinning and osteoporosis
  • Raised blood sugar, which can cause erratic diabetes control
  • Weight gain or fluid retention,n which can cause puffiness of the face or an increase in appetite 
  • Increased infection risk due to a suppressed immune system 
  • Eye problems like cataracts or Glaucoma 
  • Mood and sleep changes, such as anxiety or irritability 

Doctors may prescribe prednisolone 5mg long-term for inflammatory conditions such as:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Adrenal insufficiency replacement therapy
  • Certain autoimmune diseases 

If you are on long-term prednisolone, your GP may monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density (DEXA), weight and eye health. 

After this long-term steroid use, the dose can be gradually reduced, but this depends on the underlying condition, how long you’ve taken it and whether symptoms return when tapering the dose off. 

Please don’t stop steroids after using it for a long time without consulting your healthcare provider.

A prednisolone 5 mg tablet should usually be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. It is often recommended to take the tablet with food to reduce stomach irritation and at the same time each day to maintain consistent steroid levels. Do not change your dose without medical advice.

How It Works

Simple Steps To Better Health

01

Choose Your
Treatment

Browse our wide range of treatments and select the product that suits your needs. It only takes a few minutes to get started.

02

Complete Your
Consultation

Answer a few simple health questions so our qualified prescriber can review your suitability where required. This helps us make sure your treatment is safe and right for you.

03

Get Your
Delivery

Once approved and dispensed by our pharmacy partner, your treatment is securely delivered to your door in discreet packaging.
Customer Reviews