Can we take AD-cal at the same time as Pred?

[Prof99]

Greetings one and all. At some time in the last year I read, somewhere (??) that I shouldn't take my Pred at the same time as my Adcal - but I now I can't find where I read it. Has anyone any knowledge on this and, if it is true, what is a reasonable time lapse between the two drugs? Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

See this -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Prof99 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you - that is exactly what I needed to know. What a great forum this is 😊

[Hidden in reply to Prof99]

I always take my pred after b/fast and AdCal with my other supplements after lunch. Sometimes I find taking AdCal it makes me feel very nauseous. Must say I've not been taking it much lately. D3 is good for bones though and take that with K2 and Magnesium daily.

[piglette]

There is always a note on the prescription saying I should not take them together.

[Prof99 in reply to piglette]

Your Pharmacist sounds really on the ball - thank you for that.

[HeronNS in reply to piglette]

That is a first! Well done your pharmacist!

[piglette in reply to HeronNS]

She makes up for our appalling GP practise! She deserved a medal the way she acted during Covid.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

At least 2 hours - and pred before calcium really. It is said the calcium can coat the pred tablets and impair absorption.

[Prof99 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much.

[HeronNS in reply to Prof99]

Not only that, but pred does something to the way we metabolize calcium, so it's a double whammy.

[Mota1 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRproThanks for all your great advice. Might this coating of the pred with calcium occur when taking pred with yoghurt thus avoiding taking it on an empty stomach?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mota1]

No - it is said that dietary calcium doesn't have the same effect. I suspect it is as much the "filler" effect of the supplement tablets and wouldn't happen in the same way with liquid supplements either.

[Dochaz]

Why on earth do the doctors not tell us these things? Or the pharmacists for that matter. I was taking Pred and calcium + vit D at the same time. From tomorrow I will be spacing them out. Great advice, DorsetLady, thank you!

[HeronNS in reply to Dochaz]

It is irritating to say the least. We are most likely to make this mistake at the beginning when our pred dose is at its highest, and also when pred has its strongest effect on our bones. Seems like a very simple instruction, akin to "take with food". Just tell us not to take calcium with any medication (or other minerals, although that might be a step too far for them ).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dochaz]

It frequently IS on the label from the pharmacy and also often in the PILinsert in the pack.

[MrsNails]

Prof Hi - it’s always worth checking FAQ’s if you think you’ve read something previously.

Glad you now have your answer.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Pixix in reply to MrsNails]

Sadly, I see less people using the search facility & your great FAQs these days, Mrs N…and a lot of posters would find their answers quickly in there! You do such a great job maintaining & setting these up, too, thanks, S x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Pixix]

For some it’s easier to ask the question rather than look..and if it’s the first time something has occurred people are apt to think it just them! We see time and time again!

Plus people feel a tailored response to them is better than general info-and sometimes it is.

But the FAQs are also there so the authors don’t have to reinvent the wheel to every post… just link when appropriate,with added extras when required.

[Loveopera]

I was told this too by a pharmacist who said to take the prednislone with breakfast and Adcal lunch and dinner to get the best protection which it gives you against catching virus etc ..

[KCRoyals]

Been on Pred for about 12 years and for the last couple of years alternate 1:2mg daily. Been on 4*750 Adcal daily dosage for about 7 years. Starting to wonder if I still need that amount and wonder if I should reduce.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to KCRoyals]

Don't think you ever really needed 4x750mg - that is an awful lot of calcium supplement for anyone, even someone who has next to no calcium in their diet. You can only absorb about 500mg calcium at a time - the rest is excreted - so 2x those tablets would probably have been plenty. Depending on your diet you may not need any - I don't take a calcium supplement at all, all dietary, but 4000 IU of vit D.