Prednisone

Production Prednisone is a man-made steroid and is used to treat many illnesses. Prednisone is synthesized from cortisone by adding a double bond between C1 and C2. Cortisone is synthesized from cholesterol in the outer layer, or cortex, of the adrenal gland under the stimulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Prednisone can be synthesized by microbiological dehydrogenation of cortisone http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0813671.html http://books.google.com/books?id=Jjc7KYWZdOYC&pg=PA355&lpg=PA355&dq=synthesis+of+prednisone+from+cortisone&source=bl&ots=qQ3jHZ7C8x&sig=pVWEfvsoh6vNC1-k5RUjKsnhsXU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zdqzT6udIIGF6QHByOHOCQ&ved=0CF8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=synthesis%20of%20prednisone%20from%20cortisone&f=false

Cortisone to Prednisone http://www.google.com/imgres?q=synthesis+of+cortisone+to+prednisone&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=497&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsb&tbnid=KxPWbaAECOJUmM:&imgrefurl=http://chemprojects263sp11.wikispaces.com/prednisone&docid=Dk1rLX764DP6qM&imgurl=http://chemprojects263sp11.wikispaces.com/file/view/predisone.jpg/236636714/697x520/predisone.jpg&w=467&h=347&ei=EuSzT7r-OYqB6AHk5OHGCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=291&vpy=170&dur=3338&hovh=193&hovw=261&tx=108&ty=93&sig=117884689874375776312&page=3&tbnh=129&tbnw=174&start=24&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:24,i:132

Composition Prednisone is made of C21H26O5 Chemically, it is 17,21-dihydroxypregna-1, 4-diene-3,11, 20-trione Prednisone is a white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder and has a molecular weight of 358.43. It melts at about 230°C with some decomposition. Prednisone is very slightly soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, chloroform, dioxane, and methanol. http://www.drugs.com/pro/prednisone.html

Composition Cont. The Inactive Ingredients of Prednisone 5 mg of prednisone is made of: anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, and talc.   http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=19543

Composition Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen are the main elements in prednisone. Carbon is found in the non-metal section of the periodic table, hydrogen in the noble gases, and oxygen in the non-metals.

How it works Prednisone is part of a group of medications called glucocorticoids. glucocorticoids have numerous affects in the body, they are used mostly for their anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressing properties. This drug works for most conditions by decreasing inflammation or suppressing an overactive immune system. It works in myasthenia gravis(MG) by changing the normal action of the body’s immune system. http://drugs.emedtv.com/prednisone/prednisone.html

How it works cont. Prednisone is a man-made replica of cortisone Cortisone is a steroid that is produced by the outer portion of adrenal glands Cortisone normally helps regulate the body's salt and water balance and reduces inflammation. The adrenal glands normally produces an amount of steroids equivalent to about 5 mg. of prednisone a day. When prescribed in doses that exceed natural levels, prednisone suppresses inflammation and can help treat a variety of diseases. http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/drugs/prednisone.html

Side Effects of Prednisone Common side effects: Nausea Vomiting loss of appetite Headache Dizziness Extreme changes in mood Changes in personality Weight Gain Bulging eyes Thin, fragile skin Increased hair growth Extreme tiredness Weak muscles Heartburn Trouble sleeping Increased sweating Acne Moon face http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601102.html