Omnacortil 40 Mg

Description

About Omnacortil 40 mg

Omnacortil 40 mg is a prescription tablet containing 40 mg of prednisolone, made by Macleods Pharmaceuticals, used for severe flares of asthma, allergic disease and autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that need a high starting dose of steroid. It is the highest Omnacortil strength we stock, so one tablet provides a full high daily dose without a handful of smaller tablets.

When is 40 mg prescribed?

• Asthma attacks in adults: 40–50 mg once daily, usually for five to seven days.
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s flares: often 40 mg daily, then reduced gradually over about eight weeks.
• Giant cell arteritis: 40–60 mg daily under specialist care, because eyesight is at risk.
• Severe skin, kidney, blood or connective-tissue disease: dosing set by the specialist.

How does it work?

At high doses, prednisolone rapidly suppresses the inflammatory cascade: it blocks the release of cytokines, reduces the movement of white blood cells into inflamed tissue and stabilizes small blood vessels. This brings severe swelling and immune activity under control within days, after which the dose can usually come down.

How to take Omnacortil 40 mg

Swallow the tablet in the morning, after food. At high doses an early dose also helps reduce sleeplessness. Do not change the dose on your own, and keep your written reduction plan somewhere handy if you have one.

Why the dose is reduced step by step

Anyone who has taken more than 40 mg a day for over a week, or steroids for more than three weeks, usually needs a gradual reduction so the adrenal glands can restart normal cortisol production. A plan might step down from 40 mg to 30 mg, then 20 mg and lower, at a pace set by the illness being treated. Report overwhelming fatigue, dizziness when standing, nausea or low blood pressure during a taper. Carry a steroid alert card or medical ID so emergency staff know you take steroids.

High-dose precautions

• Infection: high doses can hide fever and other warning signs, so report feeling unwell early, and avoid live vaccines.
• Blood sugar: steroid-induced high glucose can occur even without diabetes; watch for thirst and passing more urine.
• Mind: agitation, insomnia and, rarely, psychosis are more likely at 40 mg or above.
• Stomach: avoid combining with NSAIDs where possible; a stomach-protecting medicine may be prescribed.

What are the side effects?

Common effects include increased appetite, fluid retention, facial flushing, heartburn, mood swings and disturbed sleep. With longer high-dose treatment, risks include osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cataracts, raised blood pressure and a rounded face. Seek emergency care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, sudden vision loss, or thoughts of suicide.

Who should not take it?

Do not use it with an active systemic fungal infection or prednisolone allergy. Caution is needed with diabetes, heart failure, recent heart attack, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, glaucoma, epilepsy, tuberculosis and severe mental illness. Interactions include warfarin, diabetes medicines, diuretics, digoxin and NSAIDs, and enzyme inducers such as carbamazepine that weaken its effect. People without immunity should avoid anyone with chickenpox or measles. It can be used in pregnancy when needed; at high doses, a breastfed baby may need monitoring.

Pack sizes and storage

Available as 30, 60 or 90 tablets (10 per strip), with packs from $15.00. Store at 68–77°F (20–25°C), dry and in the original strip.

Frequently asked questions

Can I split a 40 mg tablet?

Only on your pharmacist’s advice. Smaller tablets such as Omnacortil 30 mg and Omnacortil 20 mg make tapering easier.

Do I still need my asthma inhaler?

Yes. Keep using your preventer and reliever; browse the asthma category for inhaled options.

How soon will I feel better?

Many people notice improvement within a day or two, but take the full course prescribed.

Information only, not medical advice. Omnacortil 40 mg is a high-strength prescription steroid that should be taken only under a doctor’s care.