Aspelone is a prednisolone oral solution, 15 mg per 5 ml, a corticosteroid supplied as a liquid. It is used for asthma attacks, croup, allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disease — most often in children, because the liquid form is easier to give than tablets.
What is Aspelone?
Aspelone contains prednisolone sodium phosphate, equivalent to 15 mg of prednisolone base per 5 ml. It is an oral solution rather than a tablet, which is why it is so often used in children.
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid — a synthetic version of cortisol, the hormone the adrenal glands produce naturally. It works by switching off the genes that drive inflammation and by damping the immune response. That makes it a far more powerful anti-inflammatory than any NSAID, working through an entirely different route.
Two distinctions are worth clearing up.
Prednisolone and prednisone are not quite the same. Prednisone is converted by the liver into prednisolone, which is the active form. Prednisolone is already active, which is why it is preferred in liver disease and in young children. Milligram for milligram they are equivalent.
These are not the steroids associated with bodybuilding. Corticosteroids and anabolic steroids are entirely different classes of medicine with different effects.
Aspelone is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine.
What is Aspelone commonly used for?
Prednisolone solution is prescribed for:
- Asthma attacks, as a short course to settle airway inflammation — one of its commonest uses in children.
- Croup, where a single dose substantially reduces airway swelling and the need for hospital admission.
- Severe allergic reactions, after adrenaline where that is needed.
- Inflammatory bowel disease flares — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
- Autoimmune conditions, including juvenile arthritis and lupus.
- Nephrotic syndrome in children.
- Severe eczema and inflammatory skin conditions.
- Some blood disorders and cancers, as part of specialist regimens.
The asthma use is worth explaining, because parents often ask why a steroid is given for a condition that seems to be about breathing. An asthma attack involves both tightened airway muscle and inflamed, swollen airway lining. A reliever inhaler relaxes the muscle within minutes; the inflammation takes longer and is what causes attacks to rebound. Prednisolone treats that second part, which is why a short course is often given after a significant attack even once the child seems better.
Courses are usually short — three to five days for asthma or croup — and short courses can typically be stopped without tapering. Longer courses are different, and that distinction matters greatly.
How Aspelone fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Corticosteroids | Prednisolone (Aspelone), prednisone, dexamethasone | Powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-damping |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | Budesonide, fluticasone | Preventive asthma treatment; minimal systemic effect |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Brufen), diclofenac | Milder anti-inflammatory; stomach and kidney cautions |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever only |
| Antihistamines | Cetirizine, chlorphenamine | Allergy symptoms |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Aspelone
Measure it with the syringe or cup supplied, not a kitchen spoon, and check the concentration on the bottle. Paediatric doses are calculated by weight, and an inaccurate measure means an inaccurate dose.
Give it in the morning where possible, with or after food — this matches the body’s own cortisol rhythm and reduces sleep disturbance.
Complete the course as prescribed, even once symptoms improve.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if the person taking it:
- Has an active infection, including tuberculosis. Steroids damp the immune response and can allow an infection to worsen.
- Has not had chickenpox or measles, or has been exposed to either. This is important in children — chickenpox can be severe in someone on steroids, and contact during or shortly after a course should be reported to a doctor promptly.
- Has diabetes. Steroids raise blood sugar, often substantially, and monitoring usually needs to increase.
- Has stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, glaucoma, epilepsy or a mental health condition.
- Is due a vaccination — live vaccines are generally avoided during and shortly after a course.
- Is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Takes an NSAID — combined with a steroid this markedly raises the risk of stomach ulceration.
- Has taken repeated or long courses of steroids before.
Follow the dispensing label. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Do not stop a long course abruptly. With courses beyond about three weeks, the adrenal glands reduce their own cortisol production, and stopping suddenly can cause a dangerous shortfall — severe weakness, low blood pressure, vomiting and collapse. Longer courses are tapered under medical direction. Short courses of a few days do not usually need tapering, but follow whatever your prescriber has told you rather than assuming.
Short courses are generally well tolerated, though they commonly cause increased appetite, disturbed sleep, mood changes, irritability and a flushed face. In children, behavioural change over a few days is common and settles once the course ends.
Longer or repeated courses carry more: raised blood sugar, weight gain, thinning skin, bone thinning, cataracts, high blood pressure, and in children, effects on growth. Anyone on repeated courses should have this reviewed.
Infection risk rises. Report fever or signs of infection, and treat chickenpox or measles exposure as needing prompt advice.
Carry a steroid card for a long course, and tell any doctor or dentist treating you.
Seek medical attention for fever or signs of infection, exposure to chickenpox or measles, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood or black stools, marked mood or behaviour change, visual disturbance, severe headache, or unusual weakness or dizziness — particularly after stopping.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Aspelone used for? Asthma attacks, croup, allergic reactions, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions and severe skin inflammation. It contains prednisolone.
Why is it a liquid? Because it is most often used in children, for whom a measured liquid is easier and more accurate than tablets.
Is it the same as prednisone? Nearly. Prednisone is converted by the liver into prednisolone. Prednisolone is already active, which is preferred in young children and in liver disease.
Why has my child been given a steroid for asthma? An attack involves both tightened airway muscle and inflammation. The inhaler relaxes the muscle; prednisolone treats the inflammation that makes attacks rebound.
Can we stop it early if the symptoms have gone? Complete the course as prescribed. Short courses usually do not need tapering, but follow your prescriber’s instruction rather than stopping on your own.
My child has been exposed to chickenpox. Does that matter? Yes — tell a doctor promptly. Chickenpox can be more serious in someone taking steroids.