Below is the product datasheet. This has been provided by the manufacturer and should always be provided with the medication. Introduction 
Company name: Animalcare Limited
Address: Common Road
Dunnington
York YO19 5RU
Telephone: 01904 487687
Fax: 01904 487611
Email: animalcare@animalcare.co.uk
Presentation
White tablets each containing 1mg or 5mg Prednisolone.
Uses
As an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent for use in cats and dogs.
Dosage and administration
Single dose treatment may be appropriate for some specific conditions (anaphylaxis, etc.), but for more general treatment they may be given for one to three weeks at doses between:
DOGS:
| 0.1–2.0mg/kg/day
| CATS:
| 0.1–2.0mg/kg/day
|
The lowest effective dose must be used. Treatment should not be withdrawn suddenly. Problems of adrenal insufficiency should be minimised by dosing on alternate days, dosing to coincide with the endogenous cortisol peak (i.e. in the morning with regard to dogs and in the evening with regard to cats) and a gradual reduction of dosage.
For the treatment of cats and dogs with tumours responsive to corticosteroid therapy the balance between the risks of therapy and the benefits of treatment may justify large doses. In such cases doses between 20mg/m2 every other day and 60mg/m2/day have been found to be useful. (Dose is related to the animal's estimated body surface area, in square metres.)
Contra-indications, warnings, etc
Systemic corticosteroid therapy is generally contra-indicated in patients with renal disease and diabetes mellitus.
Administration is contra-indicated where corneal ulceration is present. It may render concurrent vaccination inoperative.
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, are known to exert a wide range of side-effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they may induce severe side-effects in long term use and when esters possessing a long duration of action are administered. Dosage in medium to long term use should therefore generally be kept to the minimum necessary to control symptoms. Steroids themselves, during treatment, may cause Cushingoid symptoms involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g. redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and osteoporosis may result.
During therapy effective doses suppress the Hypothalamo-Pituitreal-Adrenal axis. Following cessation of treatment, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency extending to adrenocorticol atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal adequately with stressful situations. Consideration should therefore be given to means of minimising problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of treatment, e.g. dosing on alternate days, dosing to coincide with the time of the endogenous cortisol peak (i.e in the morning with regard to dogs and in the evening with regard to cats) and a gradual reduction of dosage (for further discussion see standard texts.)
Systemically acting corticosteroids may cause polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, particularly during the early stages of therapy. Some corticosteroid's cause sodium and water retention and hypokalaemia in long term use. Some corticosteroids have caused deposition of calcium in the skin (calcinosis cutis).
Corticosteroids are not recommended for use in pregnant animals. Administration in early pregnancy is known to have caused foetal abnormalities in laboratory animals. Administration in late pregnancy may cause early parturition or abortion.
Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the immunosuppressant actions may weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing infections. In the presence of bacterial infection, anti-bacterial drug therapy is usually required when steroids are used. In the presence of a viral infection, steroids may worsen or hasten the progress of the disease.
Gastrointestinal ulceration has been reported in animals treated with corticosteroids and g.i.t. ulceration may be exacerbated by steroids in patients given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in corticosteroid treated animals with spinal cord trauma. Steroids may cause enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased serum hepatic enzymes.
For animal treatment only. Not for use in animals intended for human consumption.
Keep out of reach of children.
User warnings
Impermeable gloves should be worn whilst administering the product. In case of accidental ingestion, drink plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling this product.
Pharmaceutical precautions
Store in a tightly closed original container, protected from light. Do not store above 25°C.
Store in a dry place and protect from light.
Dispose of any unused product and empty containers in accordance with guidance from your local waste regulation authority.
Legal category
POM-V
Packaging Quantities
Containers of 500 or 1000 tablets.
Further information
Nil
Marketing authorisation number
.
1mg Vm 10347/4018.
5mg Vm 10347/4017.
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