Does prednisolone weaken the immune system?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Yes, prednisolone can weaken the immune system. As a corticosteroid, it suppresses immune activity by reducing inflammation and lowering the body's response to infections, foreign substances, and even its own tissues. This makes it effective for treating autoimmune conditions, allergies, and inflammatory diseases, but it also increases the risk of infections, especially with long-term or high-dose use.

Common effects on immunity include:

Reduced white blood cell activity
Slower wound healing
Higher susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections
Weakened response to vaccines

If you're taking prednisolone and noticing new or unusual symptoms, it's important not to guess what's happening. Immune-related side effects can mimic other conditions, and early clarity matters. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms, identify possible causes, and confidently plan your next steps with a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

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Explanation

Prednisolone is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid, which can affect the immune system. It is used to reduce inflammation and treat various conditions, but it also has the effect of weakening the immune system.

How Prednisolone Affects the Immune System:

Reduces Immune Response: Prednisolone can make the immune system less active. This means the body might not fight off infections as well as it usually does.
Impact on Skin Tests: Studies show that prednisolone can affect skin tests that check for immune reactions, like the tuberculin test used for tuberculosis.
Innate and Adaptive Immunity: Prednisolone can affect both the immediate (innate) and long-term (adaptive) parts of the immune system, as seen in research with children and adults.

While prednisolone is helpful for treating certain conditions, it's important to use it carefully because of its impact on the immune system. If you're experiencing symptoms or concerns about your immune health, take a free symptom checker to better understand what might be happening. Always follow a healthcare provider's instructions when taking this medication.

(References)

Sousa AR, Lane SJ, Atkinson BA, Poston RN, & Lee TH. (1996). The effects of prednisolone on the cutaneous tuberculin .... The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 8621857.
Baris HE, Baris S, Karakoc-Aydiner E, Gokce I, Yildiz N, Cicekkoku D, et al. (2016). The effect of systemic corticosteroids on the innate and .... European journal of pediatrics, 26833050.
Fedor ME, & Rubinstein A. (2006). Effects of long-term low-dose corticosteroid therapy on .... Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 16892792.

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