Prednisone is a biologically inert glucocorticoid which is converted to prednisolone in the liver. It has the same chemical relationship to prednisolone as cortisone has to hydrocortisone.

Prednisone is a non-fluorinated glucocorticoid for systemic therapy.

Prednisone shows a dose-dependent effect on the metabolism of almost all tissues. Under physiological conditions, these effects are vital to maintain homoeostasis of the organism at rest and under stress, as well as for the control of the activities of the immune system.

In doses typically prescribed for PRED, prednisone has an immediate anti-inflammatory (antiexudative and antiproliferative) effect and a delayed immunosuppressive effect. It inhibits chemotaxis and the activity of immune cells as well as the release and effect of mediators of inflammatory and immune reactions, e.g. of lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Prolonged therapy with high doses results in impaired response of the immune system and of the adrenal cortex. The mineralotropic effect that is pronounced in hydrocortisone is still detectable in prednisone and may require monitoring of serum electrolyte levels.