5x1 mg or 1x5 mg that is the question : Hi I am... - PMRGCAuk

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5x1 mg or 1x5 mg that is the question

9lives profile image
11 Replies

Hi I am wondering if it makes any difference if I take 1x 5 mg or 5x1 mg.

Silly question perhaps, but I’ve had to increase from 2 to 5 mg of prednisone due to some aches and stiffness. This last couple of weeks and it seems to of worked.

But I didn’t want to waste the 1 mg pills or should I order the 5 mg ?

Many thanks

Carole

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9lives
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11 Replies

I would personally choose the 5mg coated pred. It's good to have a mixture.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Order 5mg - you then have the 1mg for future reductions - unless they have a short “best before” date.

Basically it makes no difference, but as DL says order some 5mg & keep your 1mg in reserve until you go to 4mg.

And, actually taking just one tablet somehow seems ‘better’ than five tablets 😉

9lives profile image
9lives in reply to

Yes that’s what I thought. It seems better to take one than 5 .

Thank you so much for your replies very much appreciate them .

Hope you all having a good day xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Depends on the use by date - if you have a long time left, use the 5mg ones because you will need the 1mg ones later - and anyway a single 1mg tablet probably costs more than a single 5mg one! (Strange but true!).

Plus, 5x1mg tablets have a lot more filler substances and are more likely to irritate your stomach. I could manage 5mg as a single tablet, 2x1mg was OK, 4x1mg ones was very borderline.

9lives profile image
9lives in reply to PMRpro

Thanks that makes sense regarding the filler substance, it’s just when I saw my GP last we agreed or rather I told her 🤣that I should go up to 5 for a month and then see her again, well my appointment isn’t until 6 weeks so I’m a bit short of pills by 2 weeks.

But at least things are more improved xx

I’ll pop to the surgery this afternoon and put my order in before I run out.

Thank you so much for you input, it just peace of mind some times.

Hope you doing good xx

Carole

keepfitdoll profile image
keepfitdoll in reply to 9lives

Hi

Can you not order you pills online. It is some much easier. I make sure I have at least one months supply.

9lives profile image
9lives in reply to keepfitdoll

Hi yes I normally do my repeat prescriptions on line, it’s just I saw Gp and had to increase my dose to 5 mg for a month, and she gave me 28 pills and I cannot see her for 6 weeks as a follow up. So was 2 weeks short, if that makes sense.

But thank you for your advice xx

Best wishes

Carole x

keepfitdoll profile image
keepfitdoll in reply to 9lives

That makes sense but 6 weeks is a long time to see a GP.

9lives profile image
9lives in reply to keepfitdoll

Just picked up my extra 5 mg from pharmacy today, my lovely GP has given me 42 pills, so quite pleased about that.x

Since my increase to 5mg thinks are so much better, so I have be doing the DSNS and nearly down to 4.5. so far so good.

Thank you for all your replies, most helpful

Carole x

JanetRosslyn profile image
JanetRosslyn in reply to PMRpro

Oh that's so interesting PMRPrpo. I never would have thought of that! Not much time left on my currently unused 1mg u/c pred and was considering using them up, but 40 x 1mg tablets a day does not sound sensible now. Thank you. i just hate waste.

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