Is Prednisone Made from Pork or Does It Contain Any Pork‑Derived Ingredients?

Short answer: Prednisone itself is a synthetic corticosteroid, not made from animal (including pork) sources. ^[1] Synthetic glucocorticoids are designed to mimic naturally occurring hormones but are manufactured chemically, not derived from animals. ^[2] However, some commercial prednisone products especially certain capsules may use gelatin in the capsule shell, and gelatin can be sourced from pork or beef depending on the manufacturer. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

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What Prednisone Is

Prednisone is a corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and alter immune activity across many conditions. ^[1] In medical practice, prednisone belongs to the broader family of glucocorticoids, which include naturally occurring forms (like hydrocortisone and cortisone) and synthetic analogs developed for therapeutic use. ^[2] These synthetic analogs are chemically produced, and their active ingredient is not obtained from animals. ^[2]

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Active Ingredient vs. Inactive Ingredients

• Active ingredient (prednisone): Chemically synthesized; not animal-derived. ^{[2] [1]}
• Inactive ingredients (excipients): Can vary by brand and dosage form; some capsule shells contain gelatin, which may be derived from pork or beef. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Key point: Even though the drug substance is synthetic, gelatin capsule shells are a notable potential source of animal-derived material. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

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Where Pork‑Derived Components May Appear

Gelatin Capsule Shells

Several marketed capsule products list gelatin among capsule shell components. ^[3] For example, capsule formulations include gelatin along with colorants and other excipients. ^[4] Some delayed‑release capsule products also specify gelatin within the capsule components. ^[5] Because manufacturers commonly source gelatin from pork or bovine collagen, a particular product could be pork‑derived even though the active drug is synthetic. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Liquids and Tablets

Many tablets and oral solutions do not use gelatin as a shell and typically rely on fillers like lactose, starches, and binders. This reduces the chance of pork‑derived ingredients, but the exact excipient list must be checked for each product. ^[1]

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Practical Steps If You Avoid Pork Products

• Check the specific product label (DailyMed): Product monographs list inactive ingredients for each brand and strength, including whether gelatin is used. ^{[3] [4] [5]}
• Ask your pharmacist: They can help select a tablet or solution version without gelatin if needed. ^[1]
• Consider alternatives in the same class: Other synthetic glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone) are also synthetic, but you should still verify excipients for gelatin or animal-derived components. ^[2]

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Summary Table: Pork‑Related Considerations

Item	Typical Source	Pork Risk	Notes
Prednisone (active drug)	Synthetic chemical	None	Not animal-derived. [2] [1]
Capsule shell (gelatin)	Pork or bovine collagen	Possible	Many capsules list gelatin in shell components. Verify brand. [3] [4] [5]
Tablet formulations	Various excipients (e.g., lactose, starch)	Low	Usually no gelatin shell; confirm specific product label. [1]
Oral solution	Various excipients	Low	Typically gelatin-free; verify label. [1]

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Bottom Line

Prednisone itself is not made from pork. ^{[2] [1]} The main concern for pork‑derived material is gelatin in capsule shells, which varies by product. Reviewing the exact product’s inactive ingredients or choosing tablet/solution forms can help you avoid pork-derived components. ^{[3] [4] [5] [1]}