Substance Name: Prednisone
Synonyms: Delta(1)-Hydrocortisone, Deltasone, Meticorten, Winpred
Chemical Formula: C21H26O5
Molecular Weight: 358.43 g/mol
CAS Number: 53-03-2
Recommended Use: Pharmaceutical corticosteroid
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to packaging for supplier details, phone numbers for emergency assistance, and product batch identification.
Emergency Contact: Poison Control Center, Local Fire Department, or Occupational Health Service.
Hazard Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for consumer use, but may pose risks in bulk or concentrated form
Physical Hazards: Non-flammable, non-explosive formulation
Health Hazards: May cause irritation to eyes and skin; possible allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; risk of adverse systemic effects after large exposure or misuse; prolonged or repeated exposure may trigger hormonal imbalance
Environmental Hazards: Large quantities may negatively impact aquatic and soil organisms
Signal Word: Warning
Pictograms: Exclamation Mark (for irritation), Health Hazard (for sensitization)
Active Ingredient: Prednisone 100% (by weight for pure substance)
Impurities: Negligible in pharmaceutical-grade material; small trace substances from synthesis possible
Formulation Additives: If tablet, may contain lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, and food-grade coloring agents; percentages depend on brand and dose.
CAS Numbers for Major Excipients: Lactose (63-42-3), Starch (9005-25-8), Magnesium Stearate (557-04-0).
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or shortness of breath develop
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water for several minutes; remove contaminated clothing; consult medical care in case of rash or discomfort
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for at least 15 minutes; avoid rubbing; seek medical help if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, never induce vomiting, seek immediate medical advice if excessive amount swallowed
Most Important Symptoms: Nausea, irritation, allergic reactions, dizziness, hormonal imbalance in high exposure cases
Note for Physicians: Symptomatic and supportive care based on exposure route and dose; monitor for adrenal suppression or corticosteroid side effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable Media: None known for the powder or tablet form
Special Hazards: Tablet or powder may degrade at high temperatures, producing irritating fumes including carbon oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Other Information: Prevent water runoff from entering surface waters or sewage systems.
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, protective goggles, and a laboratory coat or dust mask; prevent direct contact with skin or eyes; avoid dust inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release of significant quantities into drains, soil, or waterways; control using absorbent materials
Methods for Clean-up: Sweep up spilled material with care to avoid dust; place in labeled container for disposal; ventilate area after cleanup
Decontamination: Wash affected surfaces with soapy water, dispose of cleaning materials as pharmaceutical waste.
Handling: Handle in well-ventilated area; avoid inhaling dust or touching eyes; do not eat, drink, or smoke in handling areas
Storage: Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) in tightly closed container; keep away from sunlight, moisture, and incompatible materials like strong oxidizing agents
Special Requirements: Restrict access to authorized personnel; separate from food, beverages, and animal feed; control humidity if possible.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH exposure limit currently set for prednisone; minimize exposure as much as possible
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or fume hood for bulk handling or weighing of powder
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves (nitrile or latex), safety goggles, laboratory coat; NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator for airborne dust
Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after use; remove contaminated clothing before leaving work area.
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder or tablets
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Not determined (sparingly soluble in water)
Melting Point: 233–235°C
Boiling Point: Not available (decomposition occurs before boiling)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Solubility (Water): Practically insoluble
Solubility (Other): Soluble in alcohol, chloroform, dioxane
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Approx. 1.6–1.7
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Relative Density: Approx. 1.3–1.4 (bulk powder)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 235°C
Molecular Formula: C21H26O5
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Does not react violently with other materials; avoid strong oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: Excess moisture, heat, direct sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids and oxidizers
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Decomposition Products: May release carbon oxides, irritating fumes at high temperatures.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat): ~3,000 mg/kg; high doses cause gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms
Chronic Effects: Can alter immune response, disrupt endocrine system, promote osteoporosis, increase blood pressure and blood sugar with prolonged exposure
Irritation: May cause mild skin, eye, or respiratory irritation
Sensitization: Possible allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenicity: No strong evidence from standard assays
Reproductive Toxicity: Use during pregnancy can affect fetal development; risks especially with long-term or high-dose exposure
Other Data: May suppress normal hormone production, trigger withdrawal symptoms with abrupt cessation after chronic exposure.
Aquatic Toxicity: Has potential toxicity to aquatic invertebrates and fish even at low concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: May persist in water and soil for extended periods; slow biodegradation rate
Bioaccumulative Potential: Moderate, based on log Kow value
Mobility in Soil: Limited mobility due to low solubility
Additional Information: Do not release undiluted product into water courses, soil, or sewage; avoid accumulation in surface waters.
Waste Disposal: Treat as pharmaceutical waste; do not dispose of with regular household waste
Recommended Method: Incinerate in licensed facility able to handle pharmaceutical byproducts; collect and separate unused or expired material from non-hazardous refuse
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of according to local and national regulations; containers should be thoroughly clean and rendered unusable before disposal
Precautions: Avoid disposal routes leading to surface or groundwater systems.
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous good
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not applicable
Labels Required: None required for finished dosage forms
Special Precautions: Protect containers from physical damage during transport; keep dry; avoid overheating during shipment.
Regulatory References: Check requirements of destination country or shipping company.
US Federal: Produced and administered under FDA oversight; not designated as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard for consumer use
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Not a controlled product in finished form
EU Classification: Not classified as dangerous substance under Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 when received as a finished dosage form
Other Regulations: Subject to limits and guidelines for pharmaceutical manufacturing environments; user-specific regulations may apply in workplace settings
Safety Data Sheet Requirement: Employers must maintain access to most recent MSDS for workplace reference.
Other References: Local, regional, or national requirements for storage, handling, workplace exposure, and environmental protection vary and must be consulted before bulk processing or disposal.
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