What Is The Difference Between Dexamethasone And Prednisone?

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : HI I have a question about the difference between Dexamethasone and Prednisone? I have late onset adrenal hyperplasia and I was able to control the syptoms up till now like anxiety and poor immune system. I was diagnosed with it as a child but Prednisone made me feel terrible and at the time thats all the endocenologist wanted to put me on so I have not taken anything since I was 16 and now I'm 26 and had a baby and for some reason the anxiety and energy has just been really terrible. I plan on going to an endocrinologist soon but wanted to know my options if they just simply want to put me on Prednisone again.

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You can use hydrocortisone. Detailed Answer: Dear ma'm hi! as of LoCAH late onset CAH, we are not usually prescribing steroids. they can be managed with hormonal replacement as well. only during pregnancy you require dexamethasone as it crosses placental and reach the female foetus. but if you are asking about steroids particularly then prednisolone is long acting and need to be taken once a day, you can use instead hydrocortisone thrice a day or dexamethasone thrice a day. regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar