Product Details

Product Information Prednisolone 5mg Tablets

What you need to know before you take Prednisolone Tablets

Do not take Prednisolone Tablets if you: • are allergic to prednisolone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). • have any infection, unless you are receiving specific treatment for it. • are suffering from a herpes infection of the eye • are suffering from galactose or lactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking Prednisolone Tablets if: • you have ever had severe depression or manic-depression (bipolar disorder). This includes having had depression before whilst taking steroid medicines like prednisolone • any of your close family has had these illnesses. If any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor before taking Prednisolone Tablets. Also talk to your doctor before taking Prednisolone Tablets if you have: • osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) especially in women who have passed menopause • high blood pressure or heart failure • diabetes or a history of diabetes in your family • tuberculosis (a disease of the lungs) or a history of tuberculosis • glaucoma (a condition of the eye that affects the vision) or a history of glaucoma or a history of glaucoma in your family • a history of muscle weakness caused by treatment with steroids • sever liver or kidney problems • suffered from epilepsy, fits/seizures • stomach ulcers • an under active thyroid gland which can cause tiredness and weight gain • suffered a recent heart attack • have ever had blood clots, (for examples, deep vein thrombosis [DVT], or, thromboembolism) • are planning to have a vaccination • have Cushing’s disease. (A hormone disorder which can cause symptoms including gaining weight very quickly, especially on the trunk and face, thinning of the skin and sweating) • have Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy • have inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease • are undergoing immunosuppression therapy for example in the treatment of cancer • scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder) because daily doses of 15 mg or more may increase the risk of a serious complication called scleroderma renal crisis. Signs of scleroderma renal crisis include increased blood pressure and decreased urine production. The doctor may advise that you have your blood pressure and urine regularly checked. Children and adolescents Talk to your doctor before giving this medicine to babies, children or adolescents as it may slow their growth. Treatment of the elderly: If you are an elderly patient speak to your doctor before taking Prednisolone Tablets. You may need to be supervised closely to avoid any life threatening reactions as you may have an increased risk of infections, weakening of the bones, high blood pressure, diabetes, increased potassium levels in your blood or thinning of your skin. Chickenpox and Shingles: If you come into contact with chicken pox or shingles within 3 months of taking Prednisolone contact your doctor immediately. Measles: Keep away from people who have measles. If you do come into contact with measles, see your doctor immediately. Mental health problems while taking Prednisolone Tablets Mental health problems can occur while taking this medicine (read section 4. Possible side effects for more information) • these mental health problems can be serious • these problems are usually experienced within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine • these problems are more likely to happen at high doses • most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered of the medicine is stopped. However, if mental health problems do occur they might need treatment. Talk to your doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of mental health problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental health problems have been experienced when doses are being lowered or stopped. Other medicines and Prednisolone Tablets Please tell your doctor or pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Some medicines may increase the effects of Prednisolone Tablets and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat). The following medicines can affect or can be affected by Prednisolone Tablets: • antiepileptic drugs such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone and phenobarbitone, used to treat fits/seizures or epilepsy. • antivirals such as ritonavir which can be used to treat HIV infection • antibiotics such as erythromycin, rifampicin and rifabutin, which are used to treat some bacterial infections • thalidomine and aminoglutethimide, used to treat some cancers • coumarin anticoagulants for example warfarin, which is used to thin the blood • aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for example ibuprofen and indometacin, used to treat pain and inflammation due to increased risk of bleeding in the gut or ulcers • somatropin or growth hormones • isoniazid, used to treat tuberculosis • antifungals such as ketoconazole and amphotericin, which are used to treat fungal infections • ciclosporin, which is used to treat rheumatic disease, skin complaints, inflammation, or after a transplant • ritonavir and indinavir, used to treat viral infections • live vaccines • medicines used to relax muscles during surgery • cardiac glycosides for example digoxin and related drugs called cardiac glycosides, used to treat heart failure or help strength a weak heart • salbutamol, formoterol, fenoteral, ritodrine, bambuterol, salmeterol and terbutaline or other sympathomimetic drugs, used to treat breathing difficulties (asthma) • insulin and other medicines used to treat diabetes • medicines used to treat high blood pressure • theophylline, used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • loop diuretics for example furosemide which is used to treat heart failure and thiazide diuretics for example bendroflumethiazide, used to remove excess water from the body or high blood pressure • female sex hormones – oestrogens, for example in the oral contraceptive pill or HRT • mifepristone, used to induce labour or abortion • cytotoxic drugs for example methotrexate which is used to treat cancer • vaccinations: You must tell your doctor or nurse that you are taking a steroid before you are given any vaccinations. Steroids affect your immune response and you must not be given any live vaccines. • carbenoxolone which is used for ulcers • antimuscarinics/anticholinergics • immunosuppressants which dampen down the activity of the body’s immune system • antacids such as magnesium trisilicate or aluminium hydroxide, used to treat the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion • acetazolamide which is used in the treatment of glaucoma and epilepsy • antithyroids such as carbimazole Prednisolone Tablets may also reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive coil (IUD or intra-uterine device) in preventing pregnancy. If you have any doubts about whether you should take this medicine, talk to your doctor. PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER Prednisolone 1mg and 5mg Tablets (Referred to as Prednisolone Tablets in the remainder of the leaflet) Prednisolone Tablets with food and drink Prednisolone Tablets should be swallowed with water. You can take Prednisolone Tablets before or after a meal. Avoid eating liquorice whilst taking Prednisolone Tablets. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will decide if you should take them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Driving and using machines If you feel dizzy or tired after taking prednisolone do not drive or operate machinery until these effects have worn off. Prednisolone Tablets contain lactose If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product