Tapering

[Pusph]

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.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk 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.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

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 in reply to DorsetLady]

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 PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Pusph]

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

[Miserere in reply to Pusph]

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

[Pusph in reply to Miserere]

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

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pusph]

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 PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

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

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

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

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

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 in reply to PMRpro]

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 in reply to Theziggy]

Mine are plain I have never had coated tablets!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

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]

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.