Omnacortil-20 (Prednisolone)

Omnacortil general information

What is Omnacortil used for?

Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets are a steroid medication used in wide range of inflammatory, allergic and immune disorders to suppress clinical symptoms of the disease.  Amongst their many applications, Omnacortil-20 tablets 20mg are used to reduce inflammation in conditions where the immune system is overactive, like anaphylaxis, severe asthma, acute outbreaks of eczema and severe allergies; to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, where the body’s immune system is directed against self, and to prevent rejection following organ transplant.  Omnacortil-20 is also used as an anti-cancer medication along with other drugs, to treat certain tumours like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to replace a lack natural corticosteroid cortisol in conditions where there is not enough produced, such as underactive adrenal glands or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which can affect the ability of the body to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, energy levels, normal development and protect against stress.

How does Omnacortil work?

Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets 20mg contain prednisolone, which is corticosteroid hormone and is a synthetic derivative of the natural glucocorticoid cortisol.  Prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone and can be converted from prednisone into prednisolone in the liver.  Prednisolone in Omnacortil 20 acts directly through the glucocorticoid receptor that is expressed inside most cells of the body and regulates transcription of specific genes that control many aspects of development, metabolism and the immune response.  Prednisolone in Omnacortil-20 has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-rheumatic and immunosuppressant properties and has widespread effects acting on most tissues in the body to modify, glucose, fat, protein and calcium metabolism.  The major therapeutic actions of prednisolone are to reduce the vascular (blood vessels) and cellular inflammatory response primarily by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells, to reduce the swelling, redness and pain associated with inflammation; to modify the actions of cells involved in the allergic response, and to suppress the immune system to prevent rejection following organ transplant.  Prednisolone in Omnacortil 20 also has anti-cancer properties and is used to prevent growth of certain tumours like leukemia and lymphoma. 

What does Omnacortil contain?

Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets contain the active ingredient prednisolone, a corticosteroid hormone used to treat inflammatory, allergic and immune disorders.

What is the difference between prednisone and prednisolone?

Prednisone is an inactive drug precursor that must be converted to prednisolone in the liver to become active.  Prednisolone is particularly helpful for patients with liver problems who cannot metabolise prednisone into prednisolone in the liver.

Treating inflammation with Omnacortil

Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets contain prednisolone, which is a corticosteroid hormone and is a synthetic derivative of the natural glucocorticoid cortisol, with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-rheumatic and immunosuppressant properties.  Omnacortil-20 is used in a wide range of inflammatory disorders, to suppress clinical symptoms of the disease where inflammation is caused by many different factors.  For example, where the immune system is overactive, like severe asthma, acute outbreaks of eczema and severe allergies; autoimmune diseases, where the immune system is directed against self, like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or Crohn's disease.  The anti-inflammatory actions of prednisolone in Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets are to block the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells which reduces the swelling, redness and pain associated with inflammation.  

What are the side effects of Omnacortil?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Omnacorti-20 include increased susceptibility to infection, muscle or bone aches and pains, weight gain, thinning of skin, bone demineralisation, slow wound healing, acne, redistribution of body fat creating the typical moon face, altered vision. Also behavioural and mood disturbances such as depression, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances.

What are the health risks of taking Omnacortil?

Long term use of Omnacortil -20 may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently.  This may slow down the growth rate in children and will need regular monitoring.  Omnacortil-20 may also cause decreased bone mineral density, if used for long periods.  Long term use of steroids may be associated with a range of side effects such as round face, altered body shape, altered hair growth, thinning of the bones, decreased resistance to infection, increased salt and water retention, increased blood pressure and diabetes.

When should Omnacortil not be used?

You should not use Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets if you:

• are allergic to prednisolone or any ingredients in Omnacortil
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have thyroid, stomach, heart, kidney or liver problems, high blood pressure, mood disorders, epilepsy, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis
• have any infectious disease, acute infection, systemic fungal infection, tuberculosis, uncomplicated viral hepatitis
• are due to receive a vaccination with a live virus vaccine
• are taking medicines that interact with Omnacortil like anti-inflammatories such as; diclofenac, ibuprofen, mefenamic acidor naproxen; barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin or rifampicin, anticoagulants, insulin for diabetes
• are taking diuretic medicines such as the thiazides or frusemide, these may cause increased loss of potassium when taken with Omnacortil 20

What medications interact with Omnacortil?

Several medications interact with Omnacortil-20  and should either not be taken while you are taking Omnacortil or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Omnacortil: anti-inflammatories such as; diclofenac, ibuprofen, mefenamic acidor naproxen
• Drugs that affect Omnacortil: rifampicin, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin
• Drugs that are affected by Omnacortil: live virus vaccine may be less effective, anticoagulants, insulin for diabetes

How should Omnacortil be taken?

You should take your Omnacortil-20 dispersible tablets dissolved in a glass of water and drunk in one go immediately.  Omnacortil-20 can also be taken swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food.  The dose of Omnacortil 20 that you take, how often and for how long depends on what you are being treated for and as recommended by your doctor.  You should continue to take your Omnacortil 20 for as long as recommended by your doctor and should not stop taking them suddenly; withdrawal should be gradual to reduce risk of side effects.   

How long should you take Omnacortil?

You should continue to take your Omnacortil-20 for as long as recommended by your doctor and should not stop taking them suddenly; withdrawal should be gradual to reduce risk of side effects.   

Missed dose of Omnacortil

If you miss a dose of Omnacortil-20 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Omnacortil be stored?

You should store your Omnacortil-20 below 25°C in a cool dry place.