Tapering but no 1mg pills here: I've managed to... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,767 members39,043 posts

Tapering but no 1mg pills here

Abykarma profile image
20 Replies

I've managed to taper down to 10mg Pred using DL schedule - so grateful for the invaluable info on this forum. PMR was diagnosed in March and I started at 40mg but soon got down to 15mg.

My problem is that 1mg pills are not available in my country - only 5mg. I wanted to taper to 9mg but it's impossible. By halving a 5mg pill, I would have to drop down to 7.5mg - that seems to go against what I've read as the smallest taper is the best.

Would it be risky to drop to 7.5mg from 10mg - can I expect to get a return of the pain by doing so?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Written by
Abykarma profile image
Abykarma
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
20 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Any chance of cutting into quarters? That would give you approx 1.25mg…. doesn’t matter if not exact.

If that proves impossible, you could consider using the ultra long taper - it would still mean dropping by 2.5mg, but as it takes longer to get from current dose to lower one it might work out. But unfortunately you won’t know until you try.

Abykarma profile image
Abykarma in reply to DorsetLady

If I get a pill cutter, I can try cutting into quarters. Many thanks.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Abykarma

Good luck….

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails

Hi - we’ve had this question before & l did some research & found that Prednisolone is available in liquid form in SA. Therefore, it’s easy to measure the dose you require with a syringe.

The Doctor was most agreeable to prescribe it & it was working last time l spoke to the Member - l’ll see if l can locate the Post for you.

MrsN

This is the Post……

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

Abykarma profile image
Abykarma in reply to MrsNails

Many thanks for this - will have a look at price

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to Abykarma

Good Luck 🍀

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

The DSNS taper was devised partly for patients taking enteric coated pred which at the time only came in 5 and 2.5mg doses and cannot be cut. Starting with a long gap and repeating stages made it possible for them without too much difficulty.

But if you can get the liquid version - that would be ideal. It is a great deal more expensive than tablets so sometimes doctors are reluctant to use it.

Abykarma profile image
Abykarma in reply to PMRpro

Good to know I could do it with an ultra long taper. Thanks.

christi48 profile image
christi48

What does DSNS stand for? What about DL?

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to christi48

DSNS - is the abbreviation for ‘Dead Slow, Nearly Stop’ a method of tapering Prednisolone.

DL is short for DorsetLady - one of the Volunteers in the Forum…..

We have a list of Acronyms used on the Forum as some terms/names are long eg PMR & GCA

MrsN

Acronyms from FAQ’s

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

christi48 profile image
christi48 in reply to MrsNails

Thank you so much!

christi48 profile image
christi48 in reply to MrsNails

Where can I find that list of acronyms?

HalleysComet profile image
HalleysComet in reply to christi48

The blue link below Mrs N’s reply will go straight there. Just click on it.

christi48 profile image
christi48 in reply to HalleysComet

Thanks!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to christi48

MrsN has given the link in her reply

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy in reply to MrsNails

And MrsN means YOU

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to Theziggy

😂 😉

Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman

A quarter of a 5mg pill is 1.25mg. Not a lot more than 1mg.

Corriescot profile image
Corriescot

I am also in South Africa. I am currently following the DSNS method by reducing one quarter of a 5mg tablet at a time. I find it easier to break the tablets, if I cut I tend to get a lot of dust. If I break the tablets and end up with a tiny piece, I just discard that and break another one.

Abykarma profile image
Abykarma in reply to Corriescot

Thanks for the tip

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Prednisone, your dangerous little friend

You wake up to find your house on fire. Desperately you run from room to room but there is no way...

aching legs while tapering Prednisolone

I have been successfully tapering my Prednisolone dose by 1mg a month since October last year. My...

Lower back pain muscle or flare?

Hi everyone……Has anyone had lower back pain when tapering ….I was doing great Doctor lowered my...

Covid with TCZ

I am on my second bout of Covid. Because I am on TCZ, I have had the antiviral Paxlovid both times....

MGUS Newly diagnosed

I'm 61, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with GCA and PMR, which was wrongly diagnosed as fibromyalgia 5...