has role primary alpha-hydroxy ketone tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone renoprotective agent antifibrotic agent glucocorticoid antitubercular agent 17alpha-hydroxy steroid 21-hydroxy steroid anti-inflammatory drug analgesic hypoglycemic agent cardiovascular drug antineoplastic agent immunosuppressive agent antirheumatic drug 20-oxo steroid adrenergic agent 11-oxo steroid anti-ulcer drug prodrug antipsoriatic anti-allergic agent C21-steroid anti-HIV agent anti-asthmatic agent ophthalmology drug anti-anaemic agent nephroprotective agent 3-oxo-Delta(1),Delta(4)-steroid prednisone CHEBI:8382 A synthetic glucocorticoid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant, and affects virtually all of the immune system. Prednisone is a prodrug that is converted by the liver into prednisolone (a β-hydroxy group instead of the oxo group at position 11), which is the active drug and also a steroid.