Acticort 5 Tablet

Composition of Acticort 5 Tablet

Acticort 5 Tablet contains Prednisolone (5mg). It belongs to the Systemic corticosteroid class of medicines.

Uses of Acticort 5 Tablet

• This medicine is used in the treatment of inflammation
• allergic reactions
• autoimmune conditions and asthma flare.

Key benefits

• Fast and powerful control of inflammation
• Life-saving in severe allergic and autoimmune disease

How Acticort 5 Tablet works

Prednisolone suppresses inflammation and calms an over-active immune response throughout the body.

How to take Acticort 5 Tablet

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it unless your doctor has told you to. Take it in the morning, with food. Taking it at about the same time each day helps you remember. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause weight gain, high blood sugar, bone thinning and suppression of the body's own steroid production when it is taken over a prolonged period. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Acticort 5 Tablet

Most side effects of Acticort are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Raised blood sugar
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood change
• Indigestion
• Fluid retention

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Acticort 5 Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Never stop a course of more than a few days suddenly. Your body stops making its own steroid while you take these, and abrupt withdrawal can cause a dangerous collapse. Your doctor will taper the dose. Tell any doctor treating you that you take steroids, and say so urgently if you develop a serious infection, injury or need surgery — you may need a higher dose to cope. Steroids raise blood sugar. If you have diabetes, monitor it more closely during a course. Long-term use thins bones, raises the risk of infection, cataract and glaucoma. Your doctor will monitor and may add bone protection. Chickenpox and measles can be severe in people on steroids — seek advice promptly after any contact.

Do not take Acticort if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with an untreated systemic infection, except where the steroid is part of the treatment.

Interactions with other medicines

Anti-inflammatory painkillers together with steroids markedly raise the risk of stomach bleeding. Live vaccines are generally avoided during significant steroid treatment.

How to store Acticort 5 Tablet

Store at room temperature (below 25°C), protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Expert advice for Acticort 5 Tablet

Take the whole daily dose in the morning with food, unless your doctor directs otherwise — this suits the body's own rhythm and helps you sleep. Carry a steroid card or note if you are on a long course. Watch your salt, sugar and weight during the course.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

OVERSEAS HEALTHCARE

Therapeutic class:

Corticosteroid

Drug class:

Systemic corticosteroid