Atazanavir shortages and Prelone alternatives — February 2025 posts

This month we published two practical guides: one on recent atazanavir shortages affecting people with HIV, and another listing solid alternatives to Prelone (a common oral steroid). Both articles focus on real steps you can take right now — whether that means talking to your prescriber, finding safe pharmacy options in Canada, or planning a short-term switch under medical supervision.

What you need to know about atazanavir shortages

Atazanavir supply problems have been caused by manufacturing delays and distribution gaps. If you take atazanavir, the main risks from a supply interruption are missed doses and potential viral rebound. Don’t stop your medicine suddenly. Instead, call your clinic or pharmacist as soon as you hear about a shortage.

Here’s what to do immediately: check your remaining supply, request an early refill, and ask your pharmacist about available stock or nearby pharmacies. If your pharmacy is out, ask if they can order from a licensed Canadian supplier or compound a short-term solution. Your prescriber may recommend a safe alternative regimen — for example, switching to a different boosted protease inhibitor or an integrase inhibitor — but that decision needs lab data and clinical judgment. If a change is needed, expect close follow-up and possibly extra viral load testing.

Alternatives to Prelone and how to pick one

Prelone is a liquid prednisolone product often used for kids or people who can’t swallow pills. The February guide lists common substitutes you and your doctor might consider: prednisolone tablets (crushed or made into a liquid), prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone for milder needs, topical or inhaled steroids when appropriate, and nonsteroidal approaches for inflammation when steroids aren’t required. Each has different strengths, dosing, and side effects.

Ask these questions when you talk to your prescriber: Can the dose be matched easily? Is the alternative safe for my age and condition? Will I need monitoring for blood sugar, blood pressure, or bone health? If you’re switching from a liquid to a pill, ask about correct conversion and tapering schedules to avoid withdrawal.

Practical steps that apply to both topics: keep a current medication list, store prescription paperwork, and enroll in pharmacy or manufacturer alert programs so you learn about shortages early. Consider patient assistance or generic options for cost relief, and never buy medicines from unregulated sources. When in doubt, your pharmacist is a great first call — they often know nearby stock, can suggest compounding options, and can liaise with your prescriber quickly.

Want more detail? Read the full posts for drug-specific switching tips, dosing examples, and real-world advice on managing a shortage. And remember: do not change or stop prescription meds without talking to your healthcare team.