Is it safe to stop using Omnacortil abruptly?
Patient: Dear Sir, My wife aged about 43 is taking Omnacortil 40 for the last one week as per doctor s advice for allergy cough. Cough has reduced I understand that it is steroid and it should not be stopped immediately and it should be tapered. Please advice Doctor: Hi,It is not safe to stop using omnacortil abruptly if it is used for a long period of time. Omnacortil is a steroid (prednisone) commonly prescribed to treat various inflammatory diseases such as bronchial asthma or allergic bronchitis. Sudden stoppage of omnacortil can produce 'acute adrenal crisis' or withdrawal symptoms such as severe fatigue, weakness, and joint pains. This happens if omnacortil is used for a long period of time. Since your wife has used omnacotril only for one week such withdrawal symptoms are unlikely to occur if omnacortil is stopped abruptly. So, it can be stopped as per her doctor's advice.Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician