DELTACORTRIL 5MG GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Deltacortril® gastro-resistant Tablets
prednisolone
Deltacortril Leaflet – Headlines
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Deltacortril is a steroid medicine, prescribed for many different conditions,
including serious illnesses.
You need to take it regularly to get the maximum benefit.
Don’t stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor – you may
need to reduce the dose gradually.
Deltacortril can cause side effects in some people (read Section 4
Possible Side Effects below). Some problems such as mood changes (feeling
depressed, or ‘high’), or stomach problems can happen straight away. If you
feel unwell in any way, keep taking your tablets, but see your doctor
straight away.
Some side effects only happen after weeks or months. These include
weakness of arms and legs, developing a rounder face (read Section 4
Possible Side Effects for more information)
If you take it for more than 3 weeks, you will get a blue ‘steroid card’:
always keep it with you and show it to any doctor or nurse treating you.
Keep away from people who have chicken-pox or shingles, if you have
never had them. They could affect you severely. If you do come into contact
with chicken-pox or shingles, see your doctor straight away.

Now read the rest of this leaflet. It includes other important information on the
safe and effective use of this medicine that might be especially important for
you. This leaflet was last revised in July 2016.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine
because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It
may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes
any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

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What is in this leaflet:
1. What Deltacortril is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Deltacortril
3. How to take Deltacortril
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Deltacortril
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Deltacortril is and what it is used for
Deltacortril belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. Their full name is
corticosteroids. These corticosteroids occur naturally in the body, and help to
maintain health and well-being. Boosting your body with extra corticosteroid
(such as Deltacortril) is an effective way to treat various illnesses involving
inflammation in the body. Deltacortril reduces this inflammation, which could
otherwise go on making your condition worse. You must take this medicine
regularly to get maximum benefit from it.
Deltacortril is used in a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions
including:
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allergies, including severe allergic reactions
inflammation affecting the:
 lungs, including asthma
 blood vessels and heart
 bowel or kidneys
 muscles and joints, including rheumatoid arthritis
 eye or nervous system
skin conditions
some infections
some cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma
to prevent organ rejection after a transplant.

Also:
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to boost steroid levels when the body is not making enough natural steroid on
its own.
to treat high calcium levels.

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2. What you need to know before you take Deltacortril
Check with your doctor first
• If you have ever had severe depression or manic-depression (bipolar
disorder). This includes having had depression before while taking steroid
medicines like Deltacortril.
• If any of your close family has had these illnesses.
If either of these applies to you, talk to a doctor before taking Deltacortril.
Do not take Deltacortril if you:
• are allergic to prednisolone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
(listed in section 6)
• are suffering from a serious infection which is not being treated
• are suffering from a herpes infection of the eye
• are suffering from galactose or lactose intolerance or glucose-galactose
malabsorption.
Warnings and precautions
Before you take Deltacortril tell your doctor if you:
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suffer from or have ever been treated for tuberculosis (TB)
have high blood pressure
have a heart condition
have liver or kidney problems
suffer from diabetes or diabetes runs in your family
have osteoporosis (thinning of the bone), particularly if you are past the
menopause (the change of life)
are going through, or are past the menopause
suffer from epilepsy (fits)
suffer from stomach ulcers
have taken Deltacortril (or other steroids) before and had muscular problems
(steroid myopathy)
are receiving treatment for a condition called myasthenia gravis (a rare muscle
weakness disorder)
have ever had blood clots, (for example, 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)
suffer from hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland which can cause
tiredness or weight gain)

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have Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
have inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease
have an eye disease caused by fluid build-up at the back of the eye that causes
visual impairment.
• are undergoing immunosuppression therapy for example in the treatment of
cancer
Children and adolescents
The use of steroids can slow down normal growth of children and adolescents.
Your doctor may need to stop treatment or adjust the dose for your child
accordingly.
If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or
pharmacist before you take Deltacortril.
Other medicines and Deltacortril
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take
any of the following medicines as they may affect, or be affected by Deltacortril:
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antivirals such as ritonavir which
can be used to treat HIV infection
antifungals such as ketoconazole
and amphotericin which are used
to treat fungal infections
antibiotics such as erythromycin
and rifamycin which are used to
treat bacterial infections
antiepileptic drugs such as
carbamazepine, phenobarbital,
phenytoin and primidone which
are used to treat epilepsy.

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drugs for diabetes including insulin

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oestrogens, for example in the
contraceptive pill or HRT
thiazide diuretics (“water tablets”)
for example bendroflumethiazide
used for water retention or high
blood pressure
medicines to treat high blood
pressure

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ciclosporin which is used to treat
rheumatic disease, skin complaints
or after a transplant
cardiac glycosides for example
digoxin which is used to help
strengthen a weak heart
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) for example
aspirin, ibuprofen and indometacin
used for pain relief or to treat
rheumatic disease.
mifepristone, used to induce labour
or abortion.
cytotoxic drugs for example
methotrexate which is used to treat
cancer

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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.

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anticoagulants for example
warfarin which is used to thin the
blood
carbenoxolone which is used for
ulcers
salbutamol, formoterol,
bambuterol, fenoteral, ritodrine,
salmeterol and terbutaline used to
treat asthma
antimuscarinics/ anticholinergics

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somatropin which is a growth
hormone

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acetazolamide which is used in the
treatment of glaucoma and epilepsy
loop diuretics for example
furosemide which is used to treat
heart failure

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immunosuppressants which
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dampen down the activity of the
body’s immune system
antacids such as magnesium
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trisilicate or aluminium hydroxide,
used to treat the symptoms of
heartburn and indigestion

theophylline which is used for
asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
antithyroids such as carbimazole.

isoniazid which is used to treat
tuberculosis.

Deltacortril with food and drink
Deltacortril should be swallowed with water. You can take Deltacortril before or
after a meal.
Avoid eating liquorice whilst taking Deltacortril.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you must tell your doctor
before you start the treatment.
If you are breast-feeding you must tell your doctor before you start the treatment.
Your doctor will want to examine your baby during your time of treatment. Small
amounts of steroids are present in breast milk.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
If you feel dizzy or tired after taking Deltacortril do not drive or operate machinery
until these effects have worn off.
Deltacortril contains 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.
3. How to take Deltacortril

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Always take Deltacortril exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should
check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Different illnesses require different doses of Deltacortril. Depending on your
illness your daily dose may be between 5 and 60 mg. In some cases you may be
instructed to take it every other day. Your doctor will decide when and how to
treat you with Deltacortril.
Once your condition starts to get better, your doctor may change your dosage to
a lower one. Your doctor may also reduce your dosage before stopping treatment
completely. This may depend on your illness, your dosage and how long you
have been taking this medicine. In all cases you should be careful to follow any
changes.
Stopping taking Deltacortril: It is important to discuss your treatment with your
doctor before stopping treatment. Sudden stopping of treatment can cause the
following symptoms: fever, painful muscles and joints, inflammation of the eyes
and nasal passages, painful and itchy skin lumps, loss of weight.
Treatment of children: The use of steroids can slow down normal growth of
children and adolescents. In order to lessen this effect the tablets are often taken
in a single dose every other day.
Treatment of the elderly: When steroids are taken by elderly patients some of
the unwanted side effects can be more serious especially brittle bone disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and thinning of the skin.
Whilst you are taking Deltacortril, if any of the following occur tell your
doctor straight away:
• Infections: If you think you might have an infection. You are more likely to
develop illnesses due to infection whilst you are taking Deltacortril. Also any
existing infections may become worse. This is especially so during periods of
stress. Certain infections can be serious if not controlled.
• Chickenpox and Shingles: If you, anyone in your family or regular contacts
catches chickenpox or shingles. This is because you may become very ill if you
get chicken pox whilst taking Deltacortril. You should avoid contact with people
who have chicken pox or shingles whilst taking Deltacortril and for up to 3
months after you have stopped taking Deltacortril. Do not stop taking
Deltacortril.
• Measles: If you, anyone in your family or regular contacts catches measles.
You should avoid contact with people who have measles.

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Your doctor will give you a steroid treatment card. You must carry it with you at
all times. You should show your steroid treatment card to anyone who is giving
you treatment such as a doctor, nurse or dentist.
Mental problems while taking Deltacortril
Mental health problems can happen while taking steroids like Deltacortril (see
also Section 4 Possible side effects).
• These illnesses can be serious.
• Usually they start within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine.
• They are more likely to happen at high doses.
• Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is
stopped. However, if problems do happen they might need treatment.
Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of
mental problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be
thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental problems have happened when
doses are being lowered or stopped.
What to do if you take more Deltacortril than you should
If you accidentally take too many Deltacortril tablets or someone else takes any
of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest
accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty
packet to the doctor.
If you forget to take Deltacortril
Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is
almost time to take the next dose. Do not take a double dose. Then go on as
before.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects
Do not worry. Like all medicines, Deltacortril can cause side effects, although not
everyone gets them.
Stop taking Deltacortril and contact your doctor straight away if the
following allergic reaction happens:
• Puffy, swollen face, tongue or body, which may cause shortness of breath,
shock and collapse
Serious effects: tell a doctor straight away
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inflammation of the pancreas (very severe abdominal pains)

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painful skin ulcers

Steroids including prednisolone can cause serious mental health problems.
These are common in both adults and children. They can affect about 5 in every
100 people taking medicines like prednisolone.
• Feeling depressed, including thinking about suicide.
• Feeling high (mania) or moods that go up and down.
• Feeling anxious, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking or being
confused and losing your memory.
• Feeling, seeing or hearing things which do not exist. Having strange and
frightening thoughts, changing how you act or having feelings of being alone.
If you notice any of these problems talk to a doctor straight away.
Other side effects you may experience:
• tiredness
• increased number of white blood cells
• blood clotting
• nausea and vomiting
• heart problems which can cause
shortness of breath
• convulsions
• dizziness
• vertigo
• headache
• raised pressure in the brain (which can
cause headaches, nausea and
vomiting)
• sleeplessness

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• vision problems
• worsening of schizophrenia
• worsening of epilepsy
• risk of stroke is increased in Horton
disease
• increased pressure in the eyeball
(glaucoma)
• whitening or clouding of the lens
(cataracts)
• pressure on the nerve to the eye,
thinning of the tissues of the eye
(sclera and cornea)
• bulging eyes

• thinning of the skin
• bruising
• stretch marks
• patches of skin reddening
• itching
• rash
• hives
• acne
• extra hair growth
• slow healing of wounds
• increased sweating
• hiding or altering reactions to skin tests
such as for tuberculosis
• reduction of growth in babies, children
and adolescents
• absence or irregularity of menstrual
periods
• face becomes very round
• weight gain
• increased blood sugar
• carbohydrate imbalance in diabetes
• euphoria (feeling high)
• feeling of dependency on treatment
• depression
• general unwell feeling

• worsening of viral or fungal infections
of the eye
• risk of contracting infection is
increased
• existing infections can worsen
• signs of infection can be masked
• previous infections, such as
tuberculosis (TB) may be re-activated
(flare up).
• muscle wasting of the upper arms
and legs
• muscle pain
• brittle bone disease or wasting of the
bones
• bone fractures
• tendon rupture
• indigestion
• stomach ulcers with bleeding or
perforation
• bloating
• ulcers in the gullet (oesophagus)
which may cause discomfort on
swallowing
• candidiasis (thrush)
• abdominal (stomach) pain
• increased appetite which may result
in weight gain
• diarrhoea
• water and salt retention
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a change in the levels of some
hormones, mineral balance or protein
in blood tests
• increased cholesterol or fat levels in
blood

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any
possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects

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directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects
you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Deltacortril
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not take Deltacortril after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store below 25°C. Keep your medicine in a dry place.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask
your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These
measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Deltacortril contains
The active ingredient in this medicine is prednisolone.
The other ingredients are: calcium carbonate, lactose, magnesium stearate,
maize starch, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), purified talc, lecithin,
xanthan gum (E415), polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol sorbitan
tristearate, silica gel, polyethylene glycol stearate, benzoic acid (E210),
sulfuric acid, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, polyethylene glycol, sodium
hydrogen carbonate, triethyl citrate, purified stearic acid, sodium alginate
(E401), colloidal silicon dioxide, methylcellulose (E461), sodium
carboxymethyl cellulose, beeswax (E901), carnauba wax (E903),
polysorbate 20 (E432) and sorbic acid (E200).
The Deltacortril 5 mg tablet also contains carmine (E120) and indigo carmine
aluminium lake (E132).
The Deltacortril 2.5 mg tablet contains iron oxide (E172).
What Deltacortril looks like and contents of the pack
Deltacortril tablets come in two strengths.
Deltacortril 2.5 mg is a brown tablet.
Deltacortril 5 mg is a maroon tablet.
They are gastro-resistant tablets.
Deltacortril tablets come in packs of 30 or 100 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

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The product licence holder is: Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, Avonbridge
House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK.

Deltacortril is manufactured by: Piramal Healthcare UK Limited, Whalton Road,
Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3YA, UK.
The information in this leaflet applies only to Deltacortril. If you have any
questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.
This leaflet was last revised in July 2016.
Deltacortril is a registered trademark of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Alliance and associated devices are registered trademarks of Alliance
Pharmaceuticals Limited.
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited 2016.

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