POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Prednicare 5 mg Tablets

Active ingredient: Prednisolone

Form

Tablet

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Ecuphar NV

VMD MA No.

32742/4035

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.

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Prescription required

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

Clinical information

Prednicare 5 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

Revised: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022
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 Treatment should not be withdrawn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.)

Do not use in animals with:
•
appropriate treatment
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Do not use concomitantly with attenuated live vaccines.

Revised: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022
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: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022

interaction
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.

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.