Splitting Prednisone

[Alebeau]

To those who find they are in pain at the end of the day, try splitting the dose half in the morning and half at night. This was a big help for me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual recommendation is 2/3rds am, 1/3rd pm —but whatever suits you best.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

And it doesn't have to be 12 hours apart - the second just needs to be later enough to carry the effect overnight. Lunchtime may well be enough and it is then less likely to keep you awake.

[Alebeau in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your answersI may try experimenting with that.

Luckily sleeping is not a problem for me.

[Joydeck in reply to Alebeau]

Pred has not affected my sleep either.

My record shows I spent two months on 2:1 split dose morning: evening, while tapering 24 – 19 mg pred. I took the doses immediately after a meal. The split dose eliminated my daytime PMR symptoms.

A couple of months later, I had transitioned to 2:3 morning: evening, while tapering 18 – 12 mg pred. I stayed at 2:3 for eight months, while tapering to 7 mg pred.

Over the next six months, stuck around 7 mg, I transitioned to a single dose in the morning.

Two years later, I remain on a single dose having tapered to 1 mg pred. In my 3¼ years on pred, I have been mostly free of PMR symptoms, thank goodness. 🙏

[SheffieldJane]

Thank you. I have just started to feel rotten in the evening, so I will try.

[Alebeau in reply to SheffieldJane]

Let us know how you do.It was like I was reborn when I started splitting over a year ago now.

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks Alebeau, will do.

[bluegirl7]

Hi can you explain - I find a dose of even 2.5 makes me jittery and tired but I could never sleep if I took it at night. I also have to avoid taking it on empty stomach. How do you manage? Thank you!

[Alebeau in reply to bluegirl7]

I am just lucky I guess. Most men can sleep well in general. I also have no digestive issues which may be why I can take prednisone on an empty stomach or with food. I am a 72 year old male and PMR is the only ailment I have. Sorry I cannot offer anything else. I take 5 mg morning and 4 mg at night and reduce by .5 mg every month or so depending on how I feel.Good luck to you.

[bluegirl7]

Thank you!!