Prednisolone

[Uga35570]

I have been given 5mg prednisolone as a "top up for 10mg mxt injections as I am away for a while. Does anyone know if pred is addictive I'm worried it might be so have not taken any yet.

[Mmrr]

Small doses (as 5 mgs is) over short periods of time are fine. Follow your instructions in terms of coming off prednisone ...if you have been taking it for a while, you cannot just stop taking it, but need a reduction programme to allow your body to readjust.

[helixhelix]

Pred is not addictive. But if you take larger doses (10mg plus) over a long period of time (several months) then there is a risk of adrenal problems if you don't taper off it carefully. A dose of 5mg should be fine, but your doctor might have given you some instructions for reducing step by step when you come off it.

Personally oral pred makes me an emotional mess....but others love it! However it works a treat on the inflammation!

[AgedCrone]

I found Pred to be the drug from Hell& refused to take it after a week. I was anxious, indecisive & thought I was hearing voices....not what I wanted in my life.

I've done fine without it.

When I needed a bit more support than Mtx was giving me I had a Depomedrone injection.

It may not be technically addictive, but after quite a short while you have to be weaned off it...in my book that sounds like you get addicted.

[nomoreheels]

Not addictive as such. What happens is if you're taking it a while at larger doses than you've been prescribed the pred takes over the work the adrenal gland would do. In the shorter term at lower doses (5mg is a low dose) you shouldn't have any issues, only benefits. Depending on the length of time you're intending needing pred depends on if you'll need to taper it over a period of time, to allow the adrenal system to take over the work again. If this is the case your prescriber should have given you a safe taper plan, if not then I would think he expects you to just stop taking it when the course is finished.

I've been on low dose steroids a long time, a maintenance dose. I'm currently on 2mg. When I come off them I'll have to follow a taper plan because I've been on them around 5 years.

[Amnesiac3637]

Good advice from the others - and from your doctor. I'd first follow what the medics advise as there's really not much point in going to them if you don't. Secondly, prednisolone isn't addictive as such and at that small dose you shouldn't have any problem coming off it even if you have to take care how long it takes depending on how long you've taken it for. I've been on prednisolone at varying doses - currently maintenance of 7.5 mgs daily - for 29 years with very few problems so I suggest you'll be ok. Good luck - and you may find it really helps!

[cpetry]

Hello. I agree; it's not addictive. I've been on 7.5 mg daily since last September with regular blood test and everything is fine. I even had to increase it to 10 mg for a while. Have a nice day!

[Fra22-57]

I have been on 10 mg for 6 years.was given first then methotrexate added.All drugs have their side effects.Made me moon faced for a while.Was promised from start to replace it but rheumy says have to take it for life.Methotrexate had terrible side effects and would never take again

[Gameo]

All of your reply’s make common sense l can only say when l was first given these they helped me overnight but l have been on them for many years now and I wIshed l never started in the finest place 5mg is a small amount but you can get use to it set a time with your GP or rummy to taper off and with luck you can get off these things and take something in there place to help good luck