prednisone

noun pred·ni·sone \ ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn also -ˌzōn \

|Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of prednisone

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant

Recent Examples of prednisone from the Web

My doctor then put me on two more weeks of 60 mg prednisone, and a gradual taper for the next three weeks.

— jenna birch, Health.com, "I Woke Up With Eye Bags So Swollen I Could Barely See—and Doctors Had No Idea Why," 9 Apr. 2018
Inhaled steroids are less likely to cause systemic side effects, such as osteoporosis, diabetes and low potassium, than oral drugs like prednisone.

— joe, The Seattle Times, "Asthma medication causing hoarseness," 17 Dec. 2017
Doctors also put Stephens on massive doses of prednisone, which worked but packed on the pounds.

— jen christensen, CNN, "The most common pre-existing medical conditions," 20 Sep. 2017
According to The Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, prednisone is the steroid most commonly prescribed, which was the treatment Park was on for the first year after being diagnosed.

— amy capetta, Good Housekeeping, "Bosch's Linda Park on What It's Really Like to Live With Lupus," 31 July 2017
To speed up recovery, doctors typically prescribe a steroid medication like prednisone to limit inflammation of the facial nerve.

— sarah klein, PEOPLE.com, "Angelina Jolie Was Diagnosed With Bell’s Palsy — Here’s What You Need to Know About It," 26 July 2017
Endo will transfer products made in Huntsville, primarily generic medicines including hydrocodone/APAP, oxycodone, oxybutynin, prednisone, and methylprednisolone, to its other manufacturing sites.

— linda loyd, Philly.com, "Endo to close Alabama facilities, cut 875 jobs," 21 July 2017
There were also three prescription bottles for prednisone (anti-inflammatory), omeprazole (antacid) and lorazepam (anti-anxiety) in the hotel room.

— nicole moschella, ajc, "Chris Cornell suicide scene photos published as outraged fans vent on social media," 13 July 2017
Researchers randomly assigned 100 adults with itchy hives to have daily treatment with either an antihistamine (levocetirizine, brand name Xyzal) and prednisone, or the antihistamine and a sugar pill.

— nicholas bakalar, New York Times, "Itchy Hives? A Steroid May Not Be Needed," 4 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prednisone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prednisone

probably from pregnane (C₂₁H₃₆) + diene (compound containing two double bonds) + cortisone

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1955

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

prednisone

noun pred·ni·sone \ ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn also -ˌzōn \

medical Definition of prednisone

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant