Enteric or Non-enteric coated Pred

[Boss302Fan]

Here is a very interesting article I mentally scanned the document and the take away is plasma levels obtained from taking enteric-coated Pred tablets are delayed and the peak plasma level lower than that obtained using same dose of non-enteric coated Pred. What surprised me was the visual magnitude of that peak concentration difference when seen on the graphs.

For those who have a difficult time understanding the medical verbiage if you are taking non-enteric coated Pred let’s say at 10mg if you chose instead to take enteric coated Pred the concentration of the tablet ingested would need to be higher to gain the same effect for this example possibly as high as 15mg. This is just an example, like I said, I just scanned the document and didn’t note the actual percent difference in peak plasma levels. Read & study it to know the findings.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

However, for some people that longer period of presence of pred in the blood has advantages ...

[SnazzyD]

I tried both when on 40mg. With the non coated I found it didn’t last for 24 hours before getting breakthrough of symptoms in the early weeks. After I changed to coated for gastric reasons, my symptoms didn’t reappear and I felt it was in my system for longer. I think the lower but sustained peak served me better. I am also one of those who feel drugged and uncoordinated two hours after taking uncoated but with coated it was still bad but less intense. What I did find was that if I ate a meal with the coated my absorption was reduced, especially if it was fatty, so I had to take it 2 hours away from any significant food. I suspect it’s all very individual.

[Kendrew]

Hi there. Firstly, thankyou for hilighting an interesting point and I think it's always a good thing to be clued up about our condition and the meds we're on, but for me personally there is a point where too much information becomes a concern rather than a reassurance.....it could almost feel like I'm beginning to needlessly over-analyse every tiny piece of information and that can have the potential to feel more 'troublesome' rather than 'useful'. I think I understand the premise from which you are coming but for me I prefer not to delve too deep into all the causes & effects. I have always had enteric coated tabs and if I haven't been absorbing the strroid effectively then I haven't been aware of it. My body has definitely let me know when I've not been taking enough though and hence I've had to increase my dose and begin tapering again....it would seem that eventually it has all adjusted itself and balanced itself out.

I've never been aware of experiencing this kind of a problem but of course respect that this may not be the case for others.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

The article was written in 1975 and measured only five renal transplant recipients…..So how relevant it is to PMR/GCA may be in question.

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

That's quite reassuring to hear.

[piglette]

Does it actually matter?

[Boss302Fan in reply to piglette]

Does it actually matter? I guess it depends on whether you’re interested in having a better understanding of how effective some medicines’ forms are over others.🤷🏼‍♂️ Prednisone vs Prednisolone, CoQ10 vs Ubiqinol, Folic acid vs Methylfolate, etc. DL stated the article was written in 1975 and a minute sample size, I said up-front that I didn’t study the article. Regardless of 1975 on not, if the approach was valid and P&A of the analytical methodology sufficient the data is interesting, at least I’d think so if on non-enteric coating Pred and “I” would dig further.

My perception of this forum is to disseminate information that may be relevant to PMR symptoms or treatment. Those who want to take advantage can do so, those that do not can move on.😒

[piglette in reply to Boss302Fan]

Having worked with the drug industry for over thirty years I suppose I get a bit laissez faire about pharmaceuticals.