Prelone Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs such as prednisolone are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.
In addition, prednisolone cause profound and varied metabolic effects. The pharmacologic effects include action on the electrolyte balance, gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, protein catabolism, the action on tissue repair and healing, and the secretion of corticotrophin by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, glucose utilization and anti-insulin activity.
Peak plasma concentrations of prednisolone are obtained 1 or 2 hours after administration by mouth, and it has a usual plasma half-life of 2 to 4 hours. Its initial absorption, but not its overall bioavailability, is affected by food.
Prednisolone is extensively bound to plasma proteins, although less so than hydrocortisone (cortisol).
Prednisolone is excreted in the urine as free and conjugated metabolites, together with an appreciable proportion of unchanged prednisolone.
Prednisolone has a biological half-life lasting several hours, intermediate between those of hydrocortisone (cortisol) and the longer-acting glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone.