5x1 mg or 1x5 mg that is the question

[9lives]

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

[Hidden]

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

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

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

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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 Ambassador]

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 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 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 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 in reply to 9lives]

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

[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 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.