Gastro resistant prednisolone.

[passerdomesticus]

I am tapering prednisolone, once again, after a roller coaster journey trying to deal with GCA/PMR for over 4 years.I am down to 41/2 prednisolone. from today and my question is…Can I mix gastro resistant pred. with ordinary tablets or should I cut 5 mg in half to make up the right dose?Hope that makes sense and many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

People do mix them, but down to 2mg there is no need to cut. g/r pred comes in 5, 2.5 and 1mg doses. 2x2.5 plus 2x1 gives you 4.5mg. You must not cut g/r tablets/

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You shouldn’t cut GR tablets -rather defeats the object of taking them.

You can get different sizes - 1mg, 2.5mg & 5mg - provided supplies okay- so you can mix and match.

You can take plain and GR -but you need to be aware they will get into system at different times…plain will be quicker than GR …

[passerdomesticus in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your reply.I wasn’t very clear with my query….sorry.My main worry was whether I could mix GR pred with plain pred to make up to 4 and a half mgs. as I know they disperse in the body differently.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to passerdomesticus]

Yes you can mix them - but if you can get 2.5mg &1mg GR it will make things easier. But there is often an issue with supply in the smaller doses….

[passerdomesticus in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your help.

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

I have eventually received a bottle of 56 Gastro resistant 1 mg tablets after explaining the tapering issue to the GP surgery pharmacy, including my history of GI issues. I was told that they were expensive but my rationale was accepted.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Good…😊

[passerdomesticus in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the info.

[Ronzy in reply to DorsetLady]

I have never managed to get 2.5 yet

[Sharitone]

I don't know whether you should or not, but I did and nothing too terrible happened to me. Though I tried to take the GR ones a bit earlier.

[Floridafan]

I take mine both at the same time, 1mg GR + 0.5mg ordinary and so far everything’s ok 🤞

[Alwynk]

Hi passerdomesticus,

I too am at the same stage in this treatment, except l am a further year down the line, being just over 5 years. I am taking 4.5 mgs like this: l gastrocoated 2.5 and 2 ordinary 1mgs. And not experiencing any problems. Hope this helps.

[passerdomesticus in reply to Alwynk]

Thanks for your help Alwynk.Very reassuring to know there is no problem with mixing the two types of tablets to make the dose up to 4 and a half …makes life a little easier!Have worked hard over the years to get off Pred. but it’s a struggle and has been upsetting at times . Anyway, soldiering on and thanks again.

[Alwynk in reply to passerdomesticus]

yes, it’s a mighty struggle at times. I’m on my 3rd attempt to get as low as l can ….. and this time it really hurts. Leg pain and weakness and oh so weary, but, got to keep soldiering on, things will hopefully improve soon. All the best to you. 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alwynk]

When you repeatedly flare at a similar dose, that is your body telling you you have arrived at your destination, You are nore reducing relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose, that may be a very different matter.