Light exposure of aqueous suspensions of prednisolone and dexamethasone causes their partial phototransformation.
The photoproducts, isolated by chromatographic techniques, have been identified by spectroscopic means.
Prednisolone, dexamethasone and their photoproducts have been tested to evaluate their acute and chronic toxic effects
on some freshwater chain organisms. The rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus and the crustaceans Thamnocephalus platyurus
and Daphnia magna were chosen to perform acute toxicity tests, while the alga Pseudokircheneriella subcapitata (formerly
known as Selenastrum capricornutum) and the crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia to perform chronic tests. The
photochemical derivatives are more toxic than the parent compounds. Generally low acute toxicity was found. Chronic
exposure to this class of pharmaceuticals caused inhibition of growth population on the freshwater crustacean C. dubia
while the alga P. subcapitata seems to be less affected by the presence of these drugs
