Drug interactions
Prednisolone + Somatropin
Severity: Moderate
Prednisolone and Somatropin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Supraphysiologic glucocorticoid doses can blunt the growth-promoting effect of growth hormone, which matters particularly in children. Growth hormone may also reduce the conversion of cortisone to cortisol, which can unmask adrenal insufficiency in patients on replacement therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisolone and Somatropin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine; Somatropin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism of growth hormone action by glucocorticoids, and growth hormone inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1.
What to do
Use the lowest effective glucocorticoid dose and monitor growth velocity in children. In patients on cortisone or hydrocortisone replacement, review the dose when starting somatropin.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Other interactions of Somatropin
- Acarbose + Somatropin Moderate
- Albiglutide + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-metformin + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin + Somatropin Moderate
- Betamethasone + Somatropin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Prednisolone with Somatropin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisolone and Somatropin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Supraphysiologic glucocorticoid doses can blunt the growth-promoting effect of growth hormone, which matters particularly in children. Growth hormone may also reduce the conversion of cortisone to cortisol, which can unmask adrenal insufficiency in patients on replacement therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisolone and Somatropin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective glucocorticoid dose and monitor growth velocity in children. In patients on cortisone or hydrocortisone replacement, review the dose when starting somatropin.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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