Shortage of 1mg enteric coated Prednisolone? - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,121 members37,704 posts

Shortage of 1mg enteric coated Prednisolone?

podo profile image
podo
25 Replies

I've had a suspicion for some time that 1mg tablets of enteric coated prenisolone were about to become unavailable. My supplies come from Alliance and for at least the past year all boxes have had the same end date of November 2020 suggesting that a large batch was produced at some time. My pharmacist seems to be having problems getting them at the moment. Does anyone else have this problem? Are there alternative manufacturers? This is avery important consideration for anyone tapering at low doses and doubly so for those who have had medication-caused gastric ulcers.

Written by
podo profile image
podo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
25 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

I’ve had trouble as long ago as 2 years, they do seem do have fits and starts and mine have always come from Alliance. My pharmacy said they don’t come from anyone else in the UK.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I noticed the same use by date on my latest supply. I haven’t been told that there is a problem looming but that’s not unusual.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54

Hi

I have no problems here, got 12 Packs of ones before Bank Holiday from Co-Pharma expires 07/2024

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Rose54

Enteric coated?

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to PMRpro

No sorry nor enteric ones

Not with it this week spent Monday night in A and E after having Palpations all day.

Hopefully due to very low Potassium levels and nothing else

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Rose54

Did they work out why the potassium was low?

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to PMRpro

Indapamide tablets so have had to stop taking them

Last year after HA I was dangerously low and 10 years ago after Gall Bladder Surgery .

At least the taste of the Potassium tablet drink has improved .

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Rose54

Hadn't they been checking electrolytes? With you being on pred, thiazides can lead to potassium depletion. It is one of the interactions they warn about.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to PMRpro

Last time I had blood test was February which was my Yearly review

How often should I asked for them to be checked ?

My Potassium level was 2.9 on Monday, ECG and Tropine levels all ok .

Thanks for info

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Rose54

Once that is sorted and they have changed your medication - to a potassium-sparing diuretic or other BP meds - it should be OK. But the number of doctors who use thiazide diuretics for patients on pred is worrying. Every couple of months for electrolytes would be OK probably - as long as they see the potassium is stable. If it falls, then they need to do it more often.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to PMRpro

Thank you

At least my PMR is behaving

So something is going right

Ansteynomad profile image
Ansteynomad

Mine's not enteric coated, but I've not had a problem getting it. It's badged as Wockhardt.

Jan_Noack profile image
Jan_Noack

What does Rayos cost, if you pay privately. I have finally found a website , supposedly in Canada that has Rayos. it says 2mg delayed release is $260 for 100 tablets? canprescserv.com/low-cost/r... I have never ordered from here before so I do not know if genuine or not.

They state they get it from a UK pharmacy so there must be product available..or they maybe have no stock themselves,and just expect the UK pharamxy to have it in stock.

They are also selling prednsione .no name brand for an almost $90? It is listed under Rayos, but it does say plain prednsione, and I do not think no name Rayos or Lodatra is available as yet. I can get plain old prednisone for about $5.60 to $10 AUD which is about equal to CAD...so I'm a tad suspicious of the site

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Jan_Noack

Rayos/Lodotra are NOT enteric coated - the coating delays the release of the core plain pred by about 4 hours but it is no different from the plain tablets otherwise and is intended to be released in the stomach. Crack the coating and a red tablet of prednisone appears.

It is also prednisone - and the enteric coated/gastro resistant pred available in the UK only is prednisolone.

The cost of a month's supply of Rayos/Lodotra depends on the dose you need. 30 tablets of whatever dose, 1, 2 or 5mg, costs the same, about £25 in the UK. So if you need 4 tablets to make up your dose (13mg as 2x5, 1x2 and 1x1 for example) that is £100, 3 tablets as in 9mg, cost £75.

Highlandtiger profile image
Highlandtiger

Mine (1mg enteric coated - Alliance) have all had the same expiry date (November 2020) since I started getting them in 2018! I have the same fear as you that they may become unavailable soon. I'm about to request a new prescription so will let you know how I get on. I don't think any other manufacturers produce them in the UK.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

1mg enteric coated pred has been discontinued - you will see the notice at the top of this data sheet:

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

It has only been available since August 2016 and was tried to see if it was worth it. Since most doctors and many pharmacists are totally unaware it exists, they don't prescribe it until someone who knows about it demands it. So the demand has been small - not least because 1mg is relatively very expensive compared to 2.5mg - and it simply won't have been financially viable. It costs the same to make any dose - the cost is in the process, not the active substance.

Highlandtiger profile image
Highlandtiger in reply to PMRpro

Oh dear. That's disappointing but not unexpected then.

podo profile image
podo in reply to PMRpro

At the moment I'm on 3mg so hopefully will get down to 2.5mg before my 1mgs run out. Assuming the 2.5 mg will continue to be available.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails

We’ve had this issue before & it maybe worth asking at Independent Pharmacy’s and/or even The Big Boys - l’d just phone & ask to speak to the Pharmacist, save your legs.

piglette profile image
piglette

I got some yesterday, still Nov 2020. Looks like they did one big batch, possibly as a trial.

Roy46 profile image
Roy46

I've confirmed with Alliance that the manufacture of 1mg coated pills has been discontinued, hence the end November use by date on all pills. At 7mg (5+2x1) I've enough coated pills to last me throughout most of November. Then what? Do I move up to 7.5 (5+2.5) but that's defeatist. Or do I take the coated 5mg plus 2x1 non coated and lansoprazole? I'll probably go for the latter, unfortunately.

Any chance that PMR/GCA could make representations to Alliance?

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Roy46

I thought that might be the case. I would just take 5mg plus 2x1mg you will have problems if you used 2.5mg where would you got from there when you wanted to reduce? 5mg?!!

Roy46 profile image
Roy46 in reply to piglette

Agree. Over the past 6 years I once reached 6mg for a short spell. I suspect my aim for Zero will be in vain. At 74 I have to be realistic.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Roy46

One day I am sure you will make it. My sister's godmother had it for eight years and it went into remission when she was in her 70s, she is now in her 90s.

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to piglette

"went into remission" - what wonderful words!😂 I've had it for 8 1/2 years - in pain every day - no sign of remission.😏

You may also like...

Prednisolone 1mg enteric coated shortage?

I'm de-lurking is because I'm having trouble getting 1mg enteric coated tablets. The pharmacy is...

Enteric Coated 1mg Prednisolone

mentioned you could get the 1mg in the UK, I asked my pharmacist if they had them and he said no...

1mg Enteric Coated Prednisolone tablets

Does anybody get Enteric coated Pred in 1mg tablets prescribed?...My doctor just prescribed them to...

Prednisolone enteric coated

for some reason the chemist dispensed 2.5 mg enteric coated tablets. Approximately 3 hours after...

Enteric coated Prednisolone

the 15mg Lanzoprazole along with enteric coated 1mg pred. (I’ve never had these before) It says on...