Description
About Omnacortil 5 mg
Omnacortil 5 mg is a prescription tablet containing 5 mg of prednisolone, made by Macleods Pharmaceuticals, used to control inflammation in conditions such as asthma flares, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory skin disorders. Five milligrams is the everyday strength of oral prednisolone: one tablet covers many maintenance doses, and several can be combined for larger ones.
Key facts
| Active ingredient | Prednisolone 5 mg |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Oral corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) |
| Rough US equivalent | Prednisone 5 mg |
| Usual timing | Once daily in the morning, with food |
| Pack | 10 tablets per strip |
| Status | Prescription medicine |
What is Omnacortil 5 mg used for?
Prednisolone is prescribed across many specialties. Uses include short courses for asthma or COPD flare-ups, severe hay fever or allergic skin reactions, eczema that has not responded to creams, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and some kidney and blood disorders. Although it is listed for severe allergic reactions, prednisolone is not an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis: epinephrine (adrenaline) is given first, and steroids take hours to act.
How does it work?
Prednisolone mimics cortisol at a much higher strength. It cuts the production of inflammatory messengers such as prostaglandins and cytokines and restrains immune cells, so swelling, itching and airway inflammation subside. Because it is already the active form of the drug, it does not rely on the liver to switch it on, unlike prednisone.
How to take Omnacortil 5 mg
- Take the whole daily dose at once in the morning after breakfast, unless told to divide it.
- Adult doses range from 5 mg to 60 mg a day depending on the condition; your doctor decides the amount and duration.
- Many long-term conditions are controlled on 5–10 mg daily, which is one or two tablets.
- If you miss a morning dose, take it when you remember that day; if it is already the next day, skip it and never double up.
- After three weeks or more of treatment, reduce the dose only as your doctor directs.
Protecting your bones on long-term steroids
Even modest daily doses taken for three months or longer can thin the bones. Ask whether you need calcium and vitamin D, a bone density (DEXA) scan or a bone-protecting medicine, especially if you are over 65 or postmenopausal. Weight-bearing exercise, not smoking and keeping alcohol low all help too.
What are the side effects?
In the short term, expect a larger appetite, trouble sleeping, restlessness or mood swings, heartburn and higher blood glucose. Over longer periods, steroids can cause weight gain around the face and waist, fragile skin, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis and reduced resistance to infection. Contact a doctor promptly about fever or other signs of infection, severe stomach pain or black stools, hallucinations or thoughts of self-harm, blurred vision, or swollen ankles with breathlessness.
Who should not take it?
Do not take Omnacortil if you have a systemic fungal infection or are allergic to prednisolone. Extra care is needed with diabetes, heart disease, peptic ulcers, liver or kidney disease, current or past tuberculosis, glaucoma and mental health conditions. Avoid live vaccines on higher doses, and tell your doctor about all your medicines, especially aspirin or other NSAIDs, blood thinners, diabetes treatment, water pills and antifungals such as ketoconazole. A doctor may prescribe it during pregnancy or breastfeeding when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
Pack sizes and storage
Packs of 30, 60 or 90 tablets in strips of 10, from $4.50. Keep at room temperature, below 77°F (25°C), in the original packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is Omnacortil the same as prednisone?
Not exactly. Prednisone turns into prednisolone in the liver, but 5 mg of one is roughly equal to 5 mg of the other. Switch only on medical advice.
Is there a smaller tablet for tapering?
Yes, Omnacortil 2.5 mg. For higher doses, Omnacortil 20 mg means fewer tablets.
Are there other prednisolone 5 mg brands?
Wysolone 5 mg is a dispersible alternative. Related medicines are in our allergy category.
For general information only. Omnacortil 5 mg is a prescription steroid, so follow the dose and reduction plan your doctor gives you.
Helpful guides
- Prednisolone vs Prednisone: Differences, Dose Equivalents and UsesPrednisone vs prednisolone: why 5 mg of each is equivalent, which suits liver disease or children, how a steroid course works and…