Tapering: Hi, I'm currently trying to tapering from... - PMRGCAuk

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Tapering

Pusph profile image
13 Replies

Hi, I'm currently trying to tapering from 8mg to 7mg Prednisone but think this may have been a step too far! I have 5mg & 1mg ordinary pred plus 2.5mg gastro resistant pred. If I go back to 8mg for a few days is there any reason why I can't then do 7.5mg (of which 2.5mg being gastro res) and 7mg (ordinary) on alternate days? Also, I know we're not to, but out of interest WHY can't you cut the gastro resistant pills? Thanks for any advice.

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Pusph
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DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Go back to 8mg, then suggest you start using one of the following slower tapering plans (rather than the alternate days) to get to 7.5mg and lower.

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Can I ask why you have a mix of plain and GR tablets, usually it’s one of the other ?

GR tablets have protective coating which doesn’t dissolve it’s gets further through the digestive system avoiding reflux type issues -so if you cut them you might just as well have plain ones. Plus they take longer to get into system. Sure PMRpro will explain better…

Pusph profile image
Pusph in reply toDorsetLady

Thanks for the reply. I've no idea why I've got some of each - what GP prescribed. Started at 15mg, so 3 x 5mg ordinary tabs then went to 12.5mg so 2 x 5mg ordinary plus 1 x 2.5mg gastro so have mixed them before.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPusph

Okay -just seems a bit odd that’s all. But if they work, fair do’s.

Miserere profile image
Miserere in reply toPusph

I have the same mix - always 2.5 with coating but the rest plain. I assume the 2.5mg is cheaper ...

Pusph profile image
Pusph in reply toMiserere

Could be, or maybe 2.5mg is only made as gastro resistant?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPusph

No - there are plain 2.5mg pred tablets. Not sure about the price - can't look at BNF from here. Many pharmacists don't know about them - and doctors certainly don't usually!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

At the moment GR - around £1.60, plain almost double the price at £3.14

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDorsetLady

Plenty of demand for 2.5mg e/c, very little for 2.5mg plain ...

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDorsetLady

What's to explain better?! Cutting them exposes the pred inside - instead of it getting to the other side of the stomach before being released. it is released in the stomach.

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy in reply toPMRpro

I didn't know this (re cutting), I have had to cut all mine! , though I reckon if I'm down to 2.5 now "touch wood" that it won't make much of a difference???

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy in reply toTheziggy

Mine are plain I have never had coated tablets!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toTheziggy

Perfectly OK to cut plain white ones. The not cutting enteric coated tablets is only a problem in the UK, only place you can get them.

mngirl profile image
mngirl

I had a real struggle tapering. I used the slow method (very slow) and still relapsed several times . It got sooo much better when I hit 5. It,s taken about 6 months and I am almost at 3 mg full time. I add 1/2 mg once a week. I might wake up between 3 & 4am but i fall back to sleep and the aches are gone when I wake for the day.

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