806 APPENDIX B DRUG FORMULARY
Drug name (trade orother names)
Pharmacology andindications
Adverse effects andprecautions
Dosing information andcomments
Formulations
Dosage (unlessotherwise indicated,dose is the same fordogs and cat)
Prednisolone(Delta-Cortef andmany others)
Glucocorticoidantiinflammatory drug.Potency is approximately 4
×
cortisol.
All glucocorticoidsproduce expected (andsometimes unavoidable)side effects. Chronictherapy may lead toseveral adverse effects.
Doses for prednisoloneare based on severity ofunderlying condition.
5 and 20 mg tablets. Dog (cats often require
2
×
dog dose) –
antiinflammatory:0.5–1 mg/kg q12–24h IV,IM, po initially, then taperto q48h;immunosuppressive:2.2–6.6 mg/kg/day IV, IM,po initially, then taper to2–4 mg/kg q48h;replacement therapy:0.2–0.3 mg/kg/day po.
Prednisolone sodiumsuccinate(Solu-Delta-Cortef)
Same as for prednisolone,except that this is awater-soluble formulationintended for acutetherapy when high IVdoses are needed for rapideffect. Used for treatmentof shock and CNS trauma.
Adverse effects are notexpected from singleadministration; however,with repeated use, otherside effects are possible.
Although shock doses arelisted, efficacy fortreatment of shock isquestionable.
100, 200 mg vialsfor injection (10 and50 mg/mL).
Shock: 15–30 mg/kg IV(repeat in 4–6h).CNS trauma:15–30 mg/kg IV, taper to1–2 mg/kg q12h.
Prednisone (Deltasoneand generic;Meticorten forinjection)
Same as for prednisolone,except that, afteradministration,prednisone is converted toprednisolone.
Adverse effects are sameas for prednisolone.
Same as for prednisolone.In cats use prednisolone.
1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20,25, and 50 mgtablets; 1 mg/mLsyrup (Liquid Pred in5% alcohol) and1 mg/mL oralsolution (in 5%alcohol).
Dogs convert prednisoneto prednisolone, anddoses are similar; in catsthere is inadequateconversion of prednisoneto prednisolone.
