SCHEDULING STATUS
S4
Product Name
TROLIC 5 mg Tablets
Active Ingredient
Prednisone 5 mg
Sugar Information
Sugar free
Read Before Taking TROLIC 5 mg
Read this information carefully before you start taking TROLIC 5 mg.
Keep this information because you may need to read it again. If you have further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other healthcare provider.
TROLIC 5 mg has been prescribed for you personally and should not be shared with other people. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
What Is in This Article
- What TROLIC 5 mg is and what it is used for
- What you need to know before you take TROLIC 5 mg
- How to take TROLIC 5 mg
- Possible side effects
- How to store TROLIC 5 mg
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What TROLIC 5 mg Is and What It Is Used For
TROLIC 5 mg belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids.
TROLIC 5 mg is used in a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including:
| Condition or use |
|---|
| Inflammation of joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis |
| Kidney disease, such as nephrotic syndrome |
| Autoimmune diseases called collagen diseases |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus, a life-threatening disease affecting the skin, joints and kidneys |
| Allergic reactions not controlled by antihistamines |
| Asthma not controlled by other measures |
| Skin diseases |
| Long-standing inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis |
| Low blood platelet count to decrease bleeding tendency |
| Prevention of organ rejection after transplant |
| Blood cell disorders, including low red blood and platelet counts |
| Cancer of the white blood cells, such as leukaemia |
| Immune reaction to eating gluten |
| Excess glucose in the blood reducing the ability of blood cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy |
| Conditions where the immune system is not functioning as it should |
| Liver disorders |
2. What You Need to Know Before You Take TROLIC 5 mg
Do Not Take TROLIC 5 mg
Do not take TROLIC 5 mg if any of the following apply:
| Do not take TROLIC 5 mg if | Details |
|---|---|
| You are allergic to prednisone | This includes allergy to glucocorticosteroids or any other ingredient in TROLIC 5 mg |
| You have a fungal infection affecting internal organs | TROLIC 5 mg should not be used |
| You have osteoporosis | This is a disease that weakens bones and makes them brittle |
| You have active tuberculosis | This is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs |
| You have an acute infection not being treated appropriately | TROLIC 5 mg may not be suitable |
| You are planning to receive a live vaccine | Examples include BCG, oral polio, rotavirus or measles vaccines |
| You have peptic ulcers | These are ulcers in the intestines |
| You have a mental illness such as psychosis | TROLIC 5 mg may not be suitable |
Warnings and Precautions
Take Special Care With TROLIC 5 mg
Take special care with TROLIC 5 mg if any of the following apply:
| Situation requiring special care |
|---|
| You are a child or elderly patient |
| You are diabetic |
| You have high blood pressure |
| You have heart failure |
| You have kidney or liver impairment |
| You have a compromised immune system |
| You have inactive tuberculosis |
| You are taking medicines that suppress the immune system |
| You have glaucoma |
| You have ocular herpes simplex |
| You are taking high doses and are in contact with people infected with chickenpox or shingles |
| Your birth control method involves an intra-uterine device |
| You have an adrenal tumour called pheochromocytoma |
| You previously had muscle weakness linked to steroid treatment |
| You have myasthenia gravis |
| You have blood clotting or thromboembolic disorders |
| You undertake increased or strenuous physical activity |
| You suddenly stop, increase or reduce the dose of TROLIC 5 mg |
| You develop symptoms of acute adrenal insufficiency |
| You stop taking TROLIC 5 mg and develop symptoms of raised intracranial pressure |
| You have Cushing’s disease |
| You have an underactive thyroid gland |
| You have ever had severe depression or manic-depression |
| A close family member has had severe depression or manic-depression |
| You receive high doses and develop slow heart rate |
| You have a fast-growing cancer and are at risk of tumour lysis syndrome |
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency Warning
Suddenly stopping, increasing or reducing the dose of TROLIC 5 mg may cause acute adrenal insufficiency.
Possible symptoms include:
| Possible symptoms |
|---|
| Muscle pain |
| Joint pain |
| Shortness of breath |
| Nausea |
| Vomiting |
| Fever |
| Low blood pressure |
| Dehydration |
This condition requires prompt emergency medical treatment.
Raised Intracranial Pressure Warning
Stopping TROLIC 5 mg may result in raised intracranial pressure.
Possible symptoms include:
| Possible symptoms |
|---|
| Headache |
| Blurred vision |
| Vomiting |
| Changes in behaviour |
| Weakness |
| Problems with moving or talking |
| Feeling less alert than normal |
| Lack of energy |
| Sleepiness |
Tumour Lysis Syndrome Warning
Tumour lysis syndrome may occur after treatment of fast-growing cancers, including blood cancers and solid tumours.
Possible symptoms include:
| Possible symptoms |
|---|
| Muscle cramping |
| Muscle weakness |
| Confusion |
| Irregular heartbeat |
| Visual loss |
| Visual disturbances |
| Shortness of breath |
Your healthcare provider may monitor you closely if you are at high risk.
Children and Adolescents
Talk to your doctor before giving TROLIC 5 mg to babies, children or adolescents, as it may slow their growth.
Other Medicines and TROLIC 5 mg
Always tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicine, including complementary or traditional medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
| Medicine or medicine group | Use or concern |
|---|---|
| Phenytoin, carbamazepine or primidone | Used for seizures |
| Barbiturates such as phenobarbital | Used for anxiety and sedation |
| Rifampicin | Used to treat serious bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines | Examples include indomethacin, diclofenac and ibuprofen |
| Medicines for diabetes | Used to lower blood sugar |
| Medicines for high blood pressure | Used to lower blood pressure |
| Anticoagulants | Examples include aspirin and warfarin |
| Water tablets | Examples include thiazides and furosemide |
| Immune-suppressing medicines | Examples include cyclosporine |
| Montelukast | Used to block inflammation mediators |
| Ritonavir, indinavir or other antivirals | Used to treat HIV |
| Cardiac glycosides | Used to treat heart conditions |
| Ciclosporin | May require dose adjustment when used with TROLIC 5 mg |
| Methotrexate | May increase the risk of blood and bone marrow toxicity |
| Oral contraceptives | May increase blood levels of TROLIC 5 mg |
| Immunosuppressants | Reduce immune-system activity |
| Mifepristone | May reduce the effect of TROLIC 5 mg for several days |
| Salbutamol or terbutaline | May increase risk of low potassium when used with high doses |
| Somatropin | Growth-promoting effect may be inhibited |
| Theophylline | Used to treat asthma and COPD |
| Carbenoxolone | Used for ulcers |
| Acetazolamide | Used for glaucoma and epilepsy |
| Vaccinations | Live vaccines may not be suitable |
TROLIC 5 mg With Food and Drink
Avoid eating liquorice while taking TROLIC 5 mg.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare provider before taking this medicine.
You should avoid taking TROLIC 5 mg if you are breastfeeding, as the medicine passes into breast milk and may harm your baby.
Driving and Using Machines
If you feel dizzy or tired after taking TROLIC 5 mg, do not drive or operate machinery until these effects have worn off.
3. How to Take TROLIC 5 mg
Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person.
Always take TROLIC 5 mg exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has instructed you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with TROLIC 5 mg will last. Do not stop treatment early because it may affect your condition.
Do not increase or decrease your dose without consulting your doctor.
Usual Dose
| Patient group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Adults | 2 to 20 tablets daily, equal to 10 mg to 100 mg daily, in divided doses, as determined by your doctor |
| Children | 1 mg to 20 mg daily, as determined by your doctor |
If the effect of TROLIC 5 mg seems too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If You Take More TROLIC 5 mg Than You Should
In the event of overdose, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre.
There is no specific antidote for an overdose of TROLIC 5 mg.
Treatment requires supportive medical care.
If You Forget to Take TROLIC 5 mg
It is important to take your tablets regularly as prescribed.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose.
Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.
If You Stop Taking TROLIC 5 mg
Treatment with TROLIC 5 mg should not be stopped suddenly in patients who have been taking high doses.
Your doctor will stop treatment slowly by gradually decreasing the dose.
Stopping treatment suddenly may cause acute adrenal insufficiency, a life-threatening condition caused by insufficient cortisol in the body.
Possible symptoms include:
| Possible symptoms |
|---|
| Nausea |
| Vomiting |
| Stomach pain |
| Dehydration |
| Weakness |
| Fatigue |
| Low blood pressure |
| Fever |
| Headache |
4. Possible Side Effects
TROLIC 5 mg can have side effects.
Not all side effects reported for TROLIC 5 mg are included here. If your general health worsens or if you experience any unwanted effects while taking TROLIC 5 mg, consult your healthcare professional for advice.
Side Effects Table
| Side-effect category | Side effects / symptoms | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Serious allergic reactions | Allergic skin reactions such as rash, itching, facial swelling, difficulty breathing or feeling faint | Stop taking TROLIC 5 mg and tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest casualty department |
| Serious tendon effects | Rupture of the Achilles tendon above the heel or patellar tendon alongside the kneecap, with immediate sharp pain | Stop taking TROLIC 5 mg and seek urgent medical attention |
| Serious mental health effects | Behavioural changes or depression | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious mood effects | Mood changes where you feel happy and then sad | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious psychiatric effects | Psychosis, where thoughts and emotions are impaired and there is a loss of reality | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious hormone-related effects | Cushing’s syndrome, with swollen face, fat deposits on the stomach and back, blurry vision, fatigue, raised blood pressure and raised blood sugar levels | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious stomach effects | Sores in the lining of the stomach that may bleed, with extreme stomach pain, nausea, bloating and weight loss | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious eye effects | Vision changes such as cataract or glaucoma | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious pancreatic effects | Inflammation of the pancreas, with aching pain travelling along the back, fever, vomiting, stomach tenderness and yellowing of the skin and eyes | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious infection effects | Reactivation of tuberculosis, with coughing up blood, night sweats and weight loss | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Serious heart effects | Heart failure, with shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, fatigue and swelling of the ankles, legs and face | Tell your doctor immediately |
| Other reported side effects | Increased blood sugar levels, with dry mouth, thirst, blurry vision and frequent urination | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Excess water in the body, with swelling of the face, legs or ankles | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Increased appetite and weight gain | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Muscle weakness and pain | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Easy bruising and delayed wound healing | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Blood disorders | Contact your doctor or pharmacist |
| Other reported side effects | Skin lesions, including calciphylaxis | Contact your doctor or pharmacist |
| Other reported side effects | Hiccups | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Other reported side effects | Sweating | Contact your doctor or pharmacist if severe or persistent |
| Side effects not listed | Any side effect not mentioned or unexpected health change | Inform your doctor, pharmacist or nurse |
Reporting of Side Effects
If side effects occur, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Side effects may also be reported to SAHPRA through the Med Safety App and eReporting platform.
Reporting side effects helps provide more information on the safety of TROLIC 5 mg.
You may also contact Gulf Drug Company.
5. How to Store TROLIC 5 mg
Store at or below 25 °C in a cool, dry place.
Protect from light and moisture.
Keep containers tightly closed.
Do not remove tablets from patient-ready packs until required for use.
Store TROLIC 5 mg tablets in their original packaging.
Do not use after the expiry date stated on the label.
Do not store in a bathroom.
Return unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
Do not dispose of medicine in drains or toilets.
Store all medicines out of reach of children.
6. Contents of the Pack and Other Information
What TROLIC 5 mg Contains
The active ingredient is prednisone.
The other ingredients are:
| Other ingredients |
|---|
| Dibasic calcium phosphate |
| Microcrystalline cellulose |
| Sodium starch glycollate |
| Magnesium stearate |
What TROLIC 5 mg Looks Like and Contents of the Pack
TROLIC 5 mg tablets are white to off-white, round, flat tablets, scored on one side, with a bitter taste.
Contents of the Pack
| Pack type | Pack size |
|---|---|
| Plastic containers, HDPE/PP | 100, 500, 1000 or 5000 tablets |
| Patient-ready packs, LDPE | 28, 40, 56 or 100 tablets |
Holder of Certificate of Registration
Gulf Drug Company (Pty) Ltd
22 Burnside Drive
Old Mill Industrial Park
Mount Edgecombe, 4300
This Leaflet Was Last Revised In
03 March 2026
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended as patient information based on the approved leaflet structure. It does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other healthcare provider. For regulated medical product use, follow the approved patient information leaflet and healthcare professional guidance.
