POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Prednicare 1 mg Tablets

Active ingredient: Prednisolone

Form

Tablet

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Ecuphar NV

VMD MA No.

32742/4034

What it's used for

As an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent for use in dogs and cats.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Prednisolone

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Prednicare 1 mg Tablets — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

As an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent for use in dogs and cats.

For oral administration.
Single dose treatment may be appropriate for some specific conditions (anaphylaxis, etc), but
for more general treatment, treatment may be given for one to three weeks at doses
between:
DOGS: 0.1-2.0 mg/kg/day
CATS: 0.1-2.0 mg/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 Treatment should not be withdrawn suddenly.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 in 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 larger doses.
In such cases, doses between 20 mg/m² every other day and 60 mg/m²/day have been found
to be useful. (Dose is related to the animal’s estimated body surface area, in square metres.)

Revised: November 2025
AN:02488/2025

Do not use in animals with:
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treatment
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Revised: November 2025
AN:02488/2025
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Do not use concomitantly with attenuated live vaccines.
Do not use during pregnancy (see section 4.7).
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
See also section 4.8.

Anti-inflammatory steroids are known to exert a wide range of side effects. Very commonly,
Cushingoid symptoms involving significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral
metabolism, e.g., redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and osteoporosis may occur
Based on post marketing experience and complementary data, lethargy, diarrhoea and
emesis have been observed very rarely.
During therapy, very commonly, effective doses suppress the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal
axis. Following cessation of treatment, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency extending to
adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal adequately
with stressful situations.
Systemically acting corticosteroids rarely can cause polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia,
particularly during the early stages of therapy. Some corticosteroids may cause sodium and
water retention and hypokalaemia in long term use. Systemic corticosteroids have caused
deposition of calcium in the skin (calcinosis cutis).
Corticosteroids rarely can delay wound healing and the immunosuppressant actions may
weaken resistance to or exacerbate existing infections.
Gastrointestinal ulceration has been reported very rarely in animals treated with
corticosteroids and usually with the concurrent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(see section 4.8).
Steroids very rarely may cause enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased
serum hepatic enzymes.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

Dosing should coincide with the endogenous cortisol peak (i.e., in the morning with regard to
dogs and in the evening with regard to cats).

Special precautions for use in animals
Caution is necessary when prescribing corticosteroids in animals with the following
conditions: epilepsy; hypertension; or previous steroid myopathy.
Anti-inflammatory steroids, 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 should therefore generally be kept to the
minimum necessary to control symptoms.
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 endogenous cortisol peak (i.e., in the morning with regard to dogs and in
the evening with regard to cats) and a gradual reduction in dosage.
The immunosuppressant actions of corticosteroids may weaken resistance to or exacerbate
existing infections. In the presence of bacterial infection, anti-bacterial drug cover is usually
required when steroids are used. In the presence of viral infections, steroids may worsen or
hasten the progress of the disease.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product
to animals
Impermeable gloves should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling this product.
In case of accidental ingestion, drink plenty of water and seek medical advice immediately
and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
People with known hypersensitivity to prednisolone should avoid contact with the veterinary
medicinal product.

Revised: November 2025
AN:02488/2025

The use of corticosteroids may render concurrent vaccinations inoperative. Corticosteroid
treated animals may succumb to infection if concurrently vaccinated with live vaccines.
Gastro-intestinal tract ulceration may be exacerbated by steroids in patients given non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in corticosteroid treated animals with spinal cord
trauma. Serum levels of concurrently administered salicylates may increase considerably on
withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy, with the potential for toxic effects and/or increased
gastro-intestinal tract ulceration.
Steroids may cause enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased serum hepatic
enzymes.
The effectiveness of anticoagulants may be modified by concurrent corticosteroid therapy.
The actions of hypoglycaemic agents will be antagonised by the hyperglycaemic effects of
corticosteroids.
Hypokalaemia may occur when amphotericin and corticosteroids are used concurrently.
The simultaneous use of corticosteroids and methotrexate may increase methotrexate
toxicity.
The therapeutic effects of some barbiturates, phenytoin, and rifampicin may be reduced by
the concurrent use of corticosteroids.

Store in a tightly closed original container.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place. Protect from light.

Revised: November 2025
AN:02488/2025

Not applicable.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.