Low-dose glucocorticoid treatment is the only medication showing a significant reduction in mortality in cases of COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen supplementation or ventilatory support.
Intravenous or oral dexamethasone are well evaluated in randomized study but other oral corticosteroids are not. Compared to dexamethasone, prednisolone is more available in France and easily taken by patients, especially in case of home medical care.
The pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of prednisolone and dexamethasone are different. To obtain similar effects, prednisolone should be theoretically taken twice a day and at a superior dose than the strict prednisone equivalence of 6mg dexamethasone.
