Prednisone Reduction

[skipspmr]

Suppose you’re going to reduce prednisone from 10 mg to 7.5 mg. Suppose you do it by reducing .5 mg a day over 5 days until you get to 7.5. In other words 9.5 the first day, then 9, then 8.5, then 8, then 7.5. Does this make sense?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You could try it - but it is still far too fast. Below 10mg you reduce not more than 1mg at a time. And stay on the new dose for at least 3 weeks before going on to the next step. Or you risk overshooting the dose you are looking for.

[Hidden]

I wouldn't try it that fast 8mg and check for a few weeks that the inflammation isn't raising again. I found having dropped by 0.5mg to 9mg I had steroids withdrawal for a week so always left myself at that dose for 3 to 4 weeks to see if symptoms of PMR came back. If not try again.

I am trying 10/9mg at moment. Down to two days at larger dose between low dose so a crucial point. Stay at 9mg for a couple of week if ok at start the drop to 8 or maybe even 8.5mg as it seem to get harder for everyone at that level.

[piglette]

It does seem that .5mg a month seems to work well, although some people do go for 1mg a month when under 10mg.