CALCORT 1MG, 6MG AND 30MG TABLETS
(deflazacort)
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. If you are not sure about anything, or have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What's in your medicine?
The name of your medicine is Calcort 1mg Tablets or Calcort 6mg Tablets or Calcort 30mg Tablets. They contain the active ingredient deflazacort.
- The round and white Calcort 1mg Tablets contain 1mg deflazacort, are plain on one side and a 1 on the other side.
- The round and white Calcort 6mg Tablets contain 6mg deflazacort, are marked with a cross on one side and a 6 on the other side.
- The round and white Calcort 30mg Tablets contain 30mg deflazacort, are marked with a cross on one side and a 30 on the other side.
The tablets also include microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, maize starch and magnesium stearate. Additionally, Calcort 6mg Tablets include sucrose.
Calcort 1mg Tablets comes in boxes of 100 tablets, Calcort 6mg Tablets in boxes of 60 tablets and Calcort 30mg Tablets in boxes of 30 tablets.
What you should know about Calcort tablets
Deflazacort, the active ingredient of Calcort tablets is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and suppress allergic reactions and immune system activity.
The product licence for Calcort 1mg, 6mg and 30mg Tablets is held by:
The manufacturer of Calcort 1mg, 6mg and 30mg Tablets is:
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What are Calcort tablets for?
Calcort tablets are used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including asthma, arthritis, allergic disorders and certain disorders of the skin, kidney, heart, digestive system, eyes and blood as well as some tumour-producing diseases. They are also used in transplant operations.
When should you not take Calcort tablets?
Do NOT take Calcort tablets if:
- you have a generalised infection which is not already being treated by your doctor
- you are allergic to deflazacort or any of the other ingredients which have been listed above
- you are having or have recently had any vaccinations with live viruses (you should discuss this with your doctor).
Before taking your medicine
Calcort tablets, like other corticosteroid medicines, may hide signs of infection or may make you more likely to catch infections. Also if you get an infection it may be more severe than usual. It is very important that you tell your doctor if you have an infection while you are taking Calcort tablets.
If you catch chickenpox whilst using this medicine (or within 3 months of having used it) you may become quite ill. Unless you are sure that you have already had chickenpox, you should try and avoid close contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles. If you think you might have caught chickenpox, see you doctor without delay but do not stop taking this medicine. Your doctor will advise you on the dose you should take and you may need special additional treatment.
It is also important to take particular care to avoid contact with measles and to see your doctor without delay if you, anyone in your family, or anyone you regularly come into contact with, catches measles.
You must also be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist if:-
- you could be pregnant
- you plan to become pregnant
- you are breast feeding
- you have heart problems, high blood pressure, disorders involving the obstruction of blood vessels (e.g. blood clot)
- you have problems with your digestive system, including your gullet (oesophagitis), large bowel (ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis), stomach (peptic ulcer)
- you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes
- you have herpes virus eye infection
- you have brittle bones
- you have myasthenia gravis
- you have kidney, liver or thyroid problems
- you have psychiatric problems or are emotionally unstable
- you have epilepsy
- you have TB
- you have ever taken corticosteroids before and developed muscle problems.
Calcort 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.
Can you take Calcort tablets whilst taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interact with Calcort tablets if you take them together. If you have been given a STEROID TREATMENT CARD, it is important that you always carry it with you and show it to your doctor or pharmacist, or anyone else who is giving you treatment.
You must also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medication, especially any of the following:-
- medicines for epilepsy
- medicines for treatment of infection (such as rifampicin and ketoconazole)
- aminoglutethimide (a medicine used to treat breast or prostate disease)
- medicines for diabetes (including insulin)
- medicines for high blood pressure
- diuretics ("water" tablets)
- medicines to thin the blood (anticoagulants)
- medicines which contain salicylates, such as aspirin
- medicines containing antacids, which are used to treat gastro-intestinal disease (such as indigestion or ulcers). If you are taking an antacid leave at least 2 hours between taking it and Calcort
- the contraceptive pill or Hormone Replacement Therapy
- medicines which relax your muscles used with anaesthetics.
Taking your medicine
Doctors sometimes prescribe different doses to those stated below. Increased doses and additional treatment may be needed at times of body stress, e.g. infections, operations, other illness. You should tell the doctor that you are taking Calcort tablets if you attend for treatment of any illness. Usually, dosage is as follows:-
Adults
The usual dose in adults for most conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, is in the range of 3-18mg taken orally each day.
In some instances, an initial dose of up to 120mg each day may be needed.
The dose in adults with severe asthma may be up to 48 to 72mg each day to begin with. This dose may be gradually reduced once the asthma attack has been controlled.
Children
Doses in children are given according to the child's bodyweight. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you on the number of tablets needed in each case.
The usual dose in children with chronic arthritis is between 0.25 - 1.0mg/kg bodyweight each day.
The usual dose in children with nephrotic syndrome is 1.5mg/kg bodyweight each day, to begin with. This dose may be gradually reduced according to the child's response.
The usual dose for children with asthma is between 0.25-1.0mg/kg bodyweight every other day.
If you take too many tablets
If you accidentally take too many Calcort tablets, tell your doctor or pharmacist at once.
If you forget to take a tablet
If you forget to take a tablet, do NOT take extra to make up, but continue with the next dose as usual.
Stopping your medicine
Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking your medicine. It is important that you don't stop suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Some people who have taken Calcort tablets for a long time may feel unwell, feverish or have pains in their muscles and joints when they stop taking Calcort tablets. If you feel like this, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
After taking your medicine
As with all medicines, Calcort tablets may not suit everyone. You may catch infections more easily.
You may also develop the following:
- problems with your digestive system - indigestion, ulcer, bleeding, inflamed pancreas, nausea
- water retention, salt retention, high blood pressure, heart failure
- muscle weakness, bone thinning, impaired healing and thinning of the skin, bruising, acne
- headaches, vertigo, dizziness, difficulty in sleeping and restlessness, emotional problems, depression, over-excitement, aggravation of epilepsy and of schizophrenia
- allergies (rash, itching and sometimes shortness of breath)
- hormonal disorders (in particular effects on the adrenal gland), including excess hair growth, weight gain, increased appetite, diabetes, menstrual disorders
Use for a long period of time can result in cataracts/opaque lenses, glaucoma (raised eye pressure) in some patients and can lead to masking of eye infection. Use for long periods of time in children may stop or reduce growth.
Side effects may become more serious in the elderly and your doctor may wish to see you regularly during treatment.
If you notice anything else unusual or have any unexpected effects, tell your pharmacist or doctor.
Storing your medicine
Do not use your tablets if they are past the expiry date on the box or the foil. Return any unwanted or unused tablets to the pharmacist.
Store in the original packaging. Do not store above 25°C. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Your tablets may harm them.
Date of preparation: April 2007
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