• Take Flo-Pred exactly as your doctor tells you.
  
  
• It is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day.
  
  
• Use a special measuring spoon or oral syringe—not a household spoon.
  
  
• Shake the bottle well before each dose.
  
  
• It’s best to take it with food to prevent an upset stomach.
  
  

Do not stop taking it suddenly, especially if you’ve used it for a long time. Your doctor will give you a plan to slowly reduce the dose (called tapering) to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Flo-Pred works by lowering the body’s immune response. When you have inflammation, your immune system sends out chemicals to fight infection or injury. Sometimes, the immune system overreacts and causes too much swelling and discomfort.

Flo-Pred helps by:

• Reducing the activity of the immune system.
  
  
• Blocking chemicals that cause inflammation.
  
  
• Relieving symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, and itching.
  
  

Because it affects the immune system, it is very effective for treating autoimmune diseases—these are conditions where the body attacks itself by mistake.

Like all steroids, Flo-Pred can have side effects, especially if used for a long time or in high doses.

Common Side Effects:

• Increased appetite
  
  
• Weight gain
  
  
• Trouble sleeping
  
  
• Mood swings
  
  
• Upset stomach
  
  
• Face puffiness (moon face)
  
  

Serious Side Effects:

• High blood pressure
  
  
• High blood sugar (can cause or worsen diabetes)
  
  
• Weakened bones (osteoporosis)
  
  
• Eye problems like cataracts or glaucoma
  
  
• Muscle weakness
  
  
• Increased risk of infections
  
  
• Slow growth in children
  
  

If you notice signs of infection (fever, sore throat), vision changes, severe mood changes, or unusual weight gain, contact your doctor immediately.

Before starting Flo-Pred, tell your doctor if you have:

• Diabetes
  
  
• High blood pressure
  
  
• Stomach ulcers
  
  
• Mental health issues (like depression or anxiety)
  
  
• Kidney or liver problems
  
  
• Eye problems
  
  
• Weak bones (osteoporosis)
  
  

Important Precautions:

• Avoid people with infections, especially chickenpox or measles.
  
  
• Tell all healthcare providers you are on steroids, especially before surgery or vaccines.
  
  
• Do not stop suddenly—this can cause serious health problems.
  
  
• Monitor blood sugar and blood pressure regularly.
  
  
• For children: use with care, as it can slow down growth.
  
  

Flo-Pred should be used only when clearly needed, and your doctor will try to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.

Common Interactions include:

• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, aspirin): Increase risk of stomach bleeding
  
  
• Blood thinners (like warfarin): Can affect how your blood clots
  
  
• Diabetes medicines: Flo-Pred can raise blood sugar levels
  
  
• Vaccines: May reduce effectiveness of vaccines
  
  
• Anti-seizure medicines: Like phenytoin or carbamazepine
  
  
• Diuretics (water pills): May increase risk of low potassium
  
  

Always tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including:

• Prescription drugs
  
  
• Over-the-counter medicines
  
  
• Herbal products or supplements
  
  

Also, avoid grapefruit juice, which may change how the medicine works in your body.

There is no fixed dose for Flo-Pred. It depends on the condition, age, and response.

General Guidelines:

• Adults: May start from 5 mg to 60 mg per day
  
  
• Children: Dose depends on weight (usually 0.14–2 mg per kg of body weight)
  
  

Doctors often adjust the dose based on:

• How severe your symptoms are
  
  
• How your body responds to the medicine
  
  
• Any side effects you may experience
  
  

In serious conditions, higher doses may be needed for a short time, followed by a slow decrease.

Flo-Pred is a prescription-only medicine, which means:

• You need to see a doctor to get it.
  
  
• Your doctor will check your health history before giving it to you.
  
  
• It may be prescribed for short-term or long-term use, depending on your illness.
  
  
• Regular check-ups are important to monitor for side effects.
  
  

In some cases, doctors may order blood tests or eye exams if you use it for a long time.

Never share your medicine with others, even if they have the same symptoms.

• What is Flo-Pred used for?
  Flo-Pred is used as a systemic corticosteroid for anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive purposes in a wide range of conditions including allergic, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, hematologic, ophthalmologic, renal, respiratory, rheumatologic, neoplastic or transplanted-organ situations. 

• What is the brand name?
  Flo-Pred® (oral suspension formulation of prednisolone acetate)

• What is the active ingredient?
  Prednisolone acetate (which is converted to prednisolone in the body) — a synthetic glucocorticoid. 

• How does Flo-Pred work?

  • As a glucocorticoid, it modulates the immune response and suppresses inflammation by inhibiting immune cell activity, reducing capillary permeability, inhibiting cytokine production, and reducing protein synthesis in inflammatory processes.

  • It also has metabolic effects (e.g., increasing glucose production, fat redistribution) when used systemically. 

• What type of medication is it?
  A systemic corticosteroid / glucocorticoid (oral suspension form) used for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

• How is Flo-Pred taken?

  • Administered by mouth (oral suspension) using the supplied syringe for dosing

  • Dosage is individualized, based on disease severity, patient response, and prior response to corticosteroids. Initial doses may range from ~5 mg to ~60 mg (or equivalent) of prednisolone daily (or more in severe cases)

  • If discontinuing from long-term or high-dose therapy, the dose should be tapered gradually to avoid adrenal insufficiency. 

• What forms and strengths are available?

  • Oral suspension: e.g., 5 mg per 5 mL or 15 mg per 5 mL (as prednisolone acetate) formulations. 

• How long does it take to work?

  • Onset of anti-inflammatory effects may begin within hours to days, but full effect depends on condition, dose, and duration.

• What are the common side effects?

  • Fluid retention, increased appetite, weight gain

  • Elevated blood glucose (hyperglycemia)

  • Mood changes, insomnia, irritability

  • Hypertension, hypokalemia (low potassium)

  • Gastrointestinal upset
    These are common systemic corticosteroid side-effects. 

• Are there serious side effects or risks?
  Yes — particularly with long-term or high-dose use:

  • Suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, risk of adrenal insufficiency upon withdrawal. Increased susceptibility to infections (including latent/ opportunistic infections). 

  • Osteoporosis (bone loss) with long-term use.

  • Peptic ulceration or perforation in susceptible patients. 

  • In ophthalmic use (though this is systemic here) — cataracts, glaucoma, increased intra-ocular pressure.

• Who should not take Flo-Pred (or use with caution)?

  • People with known hypersensitivity to prednisolone or any component of the formulation. 

  • Use caution in patients with active untreated infections, peptic ulcer disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, or glaucoma. 

  • Pediatric patients on long-term therapy may require monitoring for growth suppression. 

• Can it be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

  • Use only if clearly needed. Corticosteroids cross the placenta and may have fetal effects; risk/benefit must be weighed.

  • Prednisolone is partially inactivated by the placenta and is generally safer among oral steroids, but caution remains.

• Does Flo-Pred interact with other medications?
  Yes — systemic corticosteroids have many potential interactions, including:

  • NSAIDs/aspirin: increased risk of GI bleeding/perforation.

  • Antidiabetic medications: need dosage adjustment because steroids raise glucose. 

  • Vaccines (live vaccines): suppressed immune response if on immunosuppressive doses. 

  • CYP3A4 inducers/inhibitors can affect steroid metabolism in some cases.

  • How should I store Flo-Pred?

  • Store at room temperature (per label), protected from light, and keep the bottle tightly closed.

• Is there a generic available?

  • Prednisolone is available generically; Flo-Pred is a specific brand-name formulation (oral suspension) of prednisolone acetate.

• Where can I get it?

  • Prescription only — used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.