1mg Gastro resistant Prednisolone tablets on NHS

[Floridafan]

Has anyone in the UK managed to be prescribed the 1 mg Prednisolone gastro resistant (coated) tablets on the NHS. My doctor says she’s not sure if they do them in 1mg but I have found out that they are definitely available but the pharmacist says not on the NHS as they are more expensive than the non coated tablets. I question this as you can definitely get two and a half and five mg as coated on the NHS as I have had them. Any help appreciated

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are people who get 1mg enteric coated pred on the NHS. I'm sure someone will reply.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

NICE has them listed on their web site - approx cost is £1.92 for 30 tabs compared to uncoated being £0.56 for 28 tabs. However you don’t need a PPI with the gastro resistant tabs - so a saving of £0.73 there. So £1.92 compared to £1.29

I would say it’s up to your GP- it’s her budget it’s going to come out of, not the pharmacy!

[Floridafan in reply to DorsetLady]

Good point. Although my dr says I should still take either ranitidine or a PPI, however my stomach doesn’t seem to like either!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Floridafan]

I have never taken either and have never had a problem in over 9 years.

[Omanain in reply to PMRpro]

I have had problems with acid on and off for most of my adult life. I have never been overweight, quite the reverse until I was 40. The pred definitely makes the acid really bad so I need to take Ranitidine and often Gaviscon as well. I wonder if people who have not been prone to acid cope OK with some yogurt when they need to take pred, wheras I have to take mine in the middle of a bowl of porridge?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Omanain]

Very likely - I have a cast-iron stomach 99.9% of the time. Pred has never made much difference that I noted though I didn't like taking too many plain 1mg tablets to make up a dose with enteric coated (no coated ones existed in those days, the charity did ask) but morning pred was taken with a cup of tea, I don't eat breakfast (unless it's been paid for at a hotel!)

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Omanain]

I do that too, yet I don't like porridge!! Mine looks like prison gruel...... Not that I have ever experienced that! 🤣

[podo]

I've been getting the 1mg enteric coated for about 2 years now, my prescription list gives me 1, 2.5 & 5mg all coated. The 1mg are marketed by Alliance and mine are obtained from Lloyds Pharmacy.

[SnazzyD]

Me too, I’ve had 1mg with no trouble at all. My Current ones are by Alliance. My GP tried to say they were too expensive but I just said if I wasn’t having to have stomach protectors as well, they would be no worse.

[scats in reply to SnazzyD]

I tried that arguement and it didn't work. Luckily I haven't needed gastro meds ....yet?

[Floridafan]

That’s interesting, I shall ask my doctor to prescribe them and see what she says. Thank you

[Pipalina]

I have the 1mg Gastro Resistant tablets prescribed to me via NHS with no issues so don't understand why your GP would think otherwise. As previously stated - Alliance are the manufacturers. Good luck to you...

[Floridafan]

Thank you, the 5mg coated tablets I have are by Alliance so at least my GP will have heard of them

[venezia1]

I have been using 1mg coated tablets for over two years. I can't understand why anyone should gave a problem getting them - complain to your practice manager and further up if necesary.

[Casia]

When I requested them due to a bout of IBS, my GP did look up the price but nevertheless prescribed them for me to try. The pharmacist (private family business) didn’t question the prescription but said they’d have to order them in. However, as I didn’t notice any difference, I told my GP I didn’t need them any more. I’ve a really good relationship of trust with him and am lucky he’s so good as I’ve had some not so good. I live in SW London.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Casia]

So she had to order them in? Bless!!!

[Sho-Sho]

Yes, I had no problem with my local surgery - they did have to find a different supplier to get them, but have had them on repeat for the last 18 months.

[jennifer15]

I have been prescribed 1mg and 5mg for about a year. I asked my GP and she said that they did not do 1mg coated, then I heard that they were available. When I put in a repeat prescription I, innocently, wrote on it coated as discussed with GP and I got them. I do not know whether my GP knew that they were more expensive. Sorry, hope you can get it sorted. It seems that they are still cheap compared with lots of other medication.

[Rugger]

I've had all sizes of gastro-coated pred prescribed for more than 2 years. It saves me having to take a PPI to protect my stomach, so saves the NHS the extra pennies, which is all it is. Sometimes the Pharmacy takes an extra day to get the 1mg tablets, but that's not a problem as long as I order before I run out.

Good Luck!

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Rugger]

Same here. I went on to the gastro resistant ones for the same reason.

[maria40]

Yes, I get them on the NHS. I encountered no problems when I asked for them from my GP. I had explained that I was getting cramp and griping pains in my stomach which could be timed almost to an hour after taking uncoated steroids. So I now have 5,2.5 and 1mg enteric coated. I understand the some people have used the argument that the cost of Omprezol etc. to protect the stomach is as great if not greater, than that of the enteric coated steroids. Omprezol and its like (PPIs)? can also cause reactions. I'm no medical expert but I'm sure you'll get responses from those who know more than I do.

[43tripandskip]

I asked my pharmacy to order them but after searching on their internet they said they couldn't provide them as their supplier didn't do them!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 43tripandskip]

Time to go to an independent then!! But apparently Boots claimed they couldn't source them - they are only made by the holding company. And they are made by the same company that makes 5mg enteric coated...

[43tripandskip in reply to PMRpro]

Wow! That's really interesting information. Thank you.

[Footfairy-1]

I get all my gastro resistant (coated) Pred on the NHS including 1mg ones. Never had a problem getting them.

[Floridafan in reply to Footfairy-1]

That’s good to know, thank you

[Lonsdalelass]

I have them, just had a repeat prescription as I'm reducing, although at first the Dr had prescribed the uncoated ones, I went straight back (fortunately I live just round the corner) ad and explained to the receptionist they were the wrong ones. She was straight on the computer, and said they don't do the coated ones in 1mg strength, to which I replied oh yes they do, as I already had half a box of them in my drawer at home! Think they will tell us anything. I got the gastro resistant ones the next day.