prednisone

noun

pred·​ni·​sone ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn 

also

-ˌzōn 

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant

Examples of prednisone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our 11-year-old cat has either inflammatory bowel disease or small cell intestinal lymphoma and takes prednisone daily to keep his inflammation down. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Doctors started treating Alex with prednisone steroids to alleviate symptoms, Brittany recalls. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024

Steroid use and misuse can cause fluctuations in hormones—for example, higher testosterone due to anabolic steroids or Addison's disease (when the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones like cortisol and aldosterone) due to glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone). —Wendy Wisner, Health, 12 Sep. 2024

Steroid medications like prednisone can increase the desire to eat as a side effect and are most often used as a short-term treatment for poor appetite. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from pregnane (C₂₁H₃₆) + diene (compound containing two double bonds) + cortisone

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

prednisone

noun

pred·​ni·​sone

ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn also -ˌzōn

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant