Deltacortril Enteric 5mg Side Effects: What You Need to Know
Anyone who’s just been handed a box of Deltacortril Enteric 5mg for a chest infection has probably felt relief — and a little hesitation. The medication is a trusted short-term tool, but prednisolone, its active steroid, can stir up insomnia, mood swings, and bloating. Knowing what to expect and how to manage those effects can make the difference between a rough week and a surprisingly bearable one.
Active ingredient: Prednisolone · Common side effects: Insomnia, restlessness, weight gain, mood changes, bloating · Typical adult dose: 10–30 mg daily · Maximum dose (short-term): Up to 60 mg daily · Form: Enteric-coated gastro-resistant tablet · Manufacturer: Pfizer
Quick snapshot
- Insomnia (HSE (Irish health authority))
- Restlessness (Healthdirect (Australian Gov’t health service))
- Mood swings (emc SmPC (UK medicines compendium))
- Weight gain (HSE) (HSE (Irish health authority))
- Bloating (Healthdirect) (HSE (Irish health authority))
- Increased appetite (emc SmPC) (HSE (Irish health authority))
- Adrenal suppression (NCBI StatPearls (medical reference))
- Mania or psychosis (Drugs.com (patient leaflet))
- Severe allergic reactions (HPRA (Irish regulator) SPC)
- Increased infection risk (Healthdirect) (NCBI StatPearls (medical reference))
- Osteoporosis with long-term use (emc SmPC) (NCBI StatPearls (medical reference))
- Adults: 10–30 mg daily, up to 60 mg for acute severe conditions (HPRA SPC) (NHS)
- Children: weight-based, consult prescriber (HSE) (NHS)
- Take in the morning with food (NHS)
- Do not crush or chew enteric tablet (HSE) (NHS)
Eight key facts, one takeaway: Deltacortril’s side-effect profile is broad but mostly manageable when you know what to watch for.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Prednisolone |
| Brand name | Deltacortril |
| Drug class | Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) |
| Route | Oral (gastro-resistant tablet) |
| Typical adult dose | 10–30 mg daily; maximum 60 mg/day |
| Half-life | 2–3 hours (biological effects last longer) |
| Common side effects | Insomnia, restlessness, mood changes, weight gain, bloating |
| Serious side effects | Adrenal insufficiency, mania, infections, osteoporosis |
What are the side effects of Deltacortril tablets?
Common side effects from the HPRA leaflet
- Insomnia, restlessness, mood swings, weight gain, bloating (HPRA (Irish medicines regulator) Patient Information Leaflet)
- Increased appetite and hunger (Healthdirect (Australian Gov’t health service))
- Abdominal pain and dyspepsia (emc (UK medicines compendium) SmPC)
Serious side effects requiring medical attention
- Adrenal suppression (long-term use) (NCBI StatPearls (medical textbook))
- Mania, hallucinations, or psychosis (Drugs.com patient leaflet)
- Signs of infection (fever, cough) – steroids can mask symptoms (NCBI StatPearls)
- Thromboembolism and cardiovascular effects (emc SmPC)
How to manage common side effects
- Take the dose in the morning with breakfast to reduce insomnia (NHS (UK health authority))
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon (HSE)
- Eat less salt if bloating is bothersome (Healthdirect)
The implication: with simple timing and diet adjustments, most patients can minimize the most common disruptions.
Will 5 mg of prednisone cause side effects?
Factors influencing side effect occurrence
- Duration matters more than dose – even 5 mg can cause side effects over weeks or months (Healthdirect)
- Individual susceptibility varies (emc SmPC)
- Concurrent medications (NSAIDs, diuretics) increase risk (HPRA SPC)
Typical side effects at 5 mg dose
- Mood changes (irritability, anxiety) (Drugs.com patient leaflet)
- Sleep disturbance (HSE)
- Increased appetite (Healthdirect)
When 5 mg is considered low-risk
- Short-term use (under 3 weeks) is generally well-tolerated (UCSF Health (academic medical centre))
- Patients with no underlying conditions usually manage fine (NHS)
What this means: a short course of 5 mg is low-risk for most, but individual monitoring remains important.
What is the biggest side effect of steroids?
Adrenal insufficiency with long-term use
- After prolonged use, the body’s natural cortisol production can shut down (NCBI StatPearls)
- Abrupt withdrawal can cause a life-threatening adrenal crisis (emc SmPC)
Increased infection risk
- Steroids suppress the immune system, making you prone to infections (Healthdirect)
- They can also mask signs of an existing infection (NCBI StatPearls)
Osteoporosis and bone damage
- Long-term use accelerates bone loss – especially in older adults (emc SmPC)
- Bone density monitoring is recommended for courses longer than 3 months (UCSF Health)
For patients in Ireland and the UK needing a short steroid burst for a chest infection, adrenal suppression isn’t a concern. The real risk is with long-term users – and even then, gradual tapering prevents the worst. The biggest side effect for short-term users is usually disrupted sleep.
The catch: while short-term users face little risk, long-term users must plan for bone protection and gradual tapering.
What does Deltacortril help with?
Inflammatory conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (HPRA SPC)
- Allergic reactions (including severe allergies) (emc SmPC)
Autoimmune disorders
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis (HPRA SPC)
Chest infections as part of combination therapy
- Used alongside antibiotics for severe COPD exacerbations or pneumonia (UCSF Health)
- Short course (5–7 days) typical (NHS)
Deltacortril is not a first-line treatment for every cough – it’s reserved for specific inflammatory or allergic conditions where other treatments have failed. Patients in Ireland and the UK prescribed it for a chest infection usually have moderate-to-severe symptoms and benefit from a week of symptom relief.
The pattern: Deltacortril is a rescue tool, not a daily remedy, and its use is tightly linked to specific clinical scenarios.
Why do I feel awful after taking prednisone?
Mood and sleep disruption
- Prednisolone increases brain activity, leading to restlessness and insomnia (Healthdirect)
- Mood swings, anxiety, irritability are common in the first few days (Drugs.com patient leaflet)
Physical symptoms
- Increased appetite and hunger can feel overwhelming (HSE)
- Restlessness and a “jittery” feeling (emc SmPC)
Difference between short-term and long-term use
- Short-term users usually feel “off” for the first 2–3 days, then adjust (UCSF Health)
- Long-term users may experience cumulative side effects like weight gain, moon face, and osteoporosis (NCBI StatPearls)
The verdict: most patients adjust, but awareness of the drug’s dual effects on mind and body can reduce distress.
Confirmed facts
- Side effects listed in HPRA leaflet and HSE guidelines are accurate for Deltacortril.
- A 5 mg dose can cause side effects, especially with longer courses.
- Adrenal suppression is a real risk with long-term use (over 3 weeks).
- Taking the dose in the morning reduces insomnia.
- Enteric coating allows the tablet to bypass the stomach – but GI side effects can still occur.
What’s unclear
- Exact incidence of side effects at 5 mg vs higher doses – most data comes from higher doses.
- Whether the enteric coating significantly reduces GI side effects compared with regular prednisolone.
- Long-term safety for intermittent short courses (repeating every few months).
- Whether certain patient groups (elderly, diabetic) experience different side effect profiles at low doses.
- Whether low-dose prednisolone (5 mg) increases cardiovascular risk to the same extent as higher doses.
Like all medicines, Deltacortril Enteric can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
– HPRA Patient Information Leaflet (HPRA (Irish medicines regulator))
Common side effects include insomnia, restlessness, and weight gain.
– HSE (Health Service Executive, Ireland)
Feeling high (mania) or moods that go up and down can occur.
– Drugs.com patient leaflet (Drugs.com)
For patients in Ireland and the UK prescribed Deltacortril Enteric 5mg for a short course, the side effects are real but manageable: take the dose in the morning with breakfast, avoid alcohol, and call your GP if you experience severe mood changes or signs of infection. The enteric coating helps protect your stomach, but it doesn’t eliminate the systemic effects – so stay alert, but don’t panic. Most people get through a week of steroids without lasting issues, and the benefits for chest infections or flare-ups can be dramatic.
Frequently asked questions
What should you not do while on steroids?
Do not stop taking Deltacortril suddenly without medical advice – tapering may be needed (HPRA PIL). Avoid live vaccines and NSAIDs unless your doctor approves (HSE). Limit alcohol as it can worsen side effects (HSE).
Why do doctors not like to give steroids?
Because of the risk of long-term side effects – adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, diabetes, and increased infection risk (NCBI StatPearls). For short courses, these risks are minimal, so doctors prescribe them when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Is 5mg of prednisone very strong?
5 mg is considered a low-to-moderate dose. The standard starting dose for adults is 10–30 mg daily, so 5 mg is on the lower end (HPRA SPC). However, it can still cause side effects, especially with prolonged use.
Can Deltacortril be crushed or chewed?
No. Deltacortril Enteric tablets are gastro-resistant and should be swallowed whole (HSE). Crushing or chewing destroys the enteric coating and may cause stomach irritation.
How to taper off Deltacortril?
Tapering should be done under medical supervision. The exact schedule depends on the dose and duration of treatment – your doctor will provide a gradual reduction plan (HPRA PIL). Never stop abruptly after more than 3 weeks of use.
What to do if side effects become severe?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of infection (fever, cough), severe mood changes, shortness of breath, or unusual swelling (Healthdirect). Do not stop the medication without medical advice.
Can Deltacortril be taken during pregnancy?
Prednisolone is sometimes used during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs the risk – but only under strict medical supervision (emc SmPC). Always consult your obstetrician before use.
Are there any foods to avoid while taking Deltacortril?
No specific food prohibitions, but a low-salt diet may help reduce fluid retention and bloating (HSE). Avoid grapefruit juice if you are taking other medications that interact (check with your pharmacist).
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