''Excipients'' - the non-therapeutic ingredients in our medicines

[Marijo1951]

We've had discussion on here before about how the various brands of pred differ in their conposition and how some are too crumbly or can upset digestion etc. The attached is an article from the American edition of The Conversation by a researcher into the non-therapeutic ingredients of medications. The legal information is geared towards the situation in the US, but nevertheless what she writes - about the general lack of information, possibility of allergic response etc - is of interest to all.

theconversation.com/whats-i...

[MrsNails]

My eldest son, now almost 38years old was very allergic to many things & had severe eczema as a baby/toddler, he remains so even now. (His IgE Antibodies were off the chart!)

We had to have all his Medications checked, he always had to have specific ‘Branded’ Meds, l had to write to manufacturers & his Calcium had to be prepared specially for him in Boots in Nottingham.

All his Antibiotics had to specific, often Adult Oral Suspensions diluted accordingly. One Dermatology Specialist inadvertently triggered his Asthma by giving him an antihistamine which did not suit him, he was referred to a Paediatrician & about two hours after we saw him, he rang us at home to say he’d found the culprit! It was changed to an diluted adult suspension & that eased the unexplained asthma.

To this day he still has to check & double check or he asks me too! 😉

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Should be compulsory reading for doctors too! Some of them don't have a clue either!

Someone on the forum is lactose intolerant and a lot of pred tablets contain lactose. She gets the liquid version to avoid that problem - but her GP obviously resents that and complains about the price (it is about 30x the price). They once effectively told her she should suck it up, "it's only a small amount..."!

[Marijo1951 in reply to PMRpro]

It's good to know that this research is going on in the US. It would be even better if we had a similar project here in the UK. Clearly examining the potential problems should be a higher priority than it is now.