Mixing plain and gastro Pred

[jaycee444]

I have just requested 2.5mg Prednisolone from my surgery as I am down to 4.5mg and it’s much easier to get a correct dose without splitting pills. I see that they will be giving me gastro resistant tabs so I will be taking 1 of these together with 2x1mg plain Prednisolone. Is this going to create any problems as I think the effects of the gastro pills will take longer than the plain? I don’t want to upset the apple cart whilst Im managing to reduce very slowly.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Only one way to find out! Some take the gastro-resistant before bed and the plain ones on getting up very successfully.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Plenty of related posts to view…. And you are aware of absorption timings, so only way is to try…

[Omanain]

If you normally take uncoated pred I would think this may be a mistake. You could contact them and ask for some plain ones.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Omanain]

2.5mg enteric coated are far cheaper than 2.5mg plain. That's why the pharmacy dispenses them ...

[Floridafan]

Would your Dr subscribe 1mg coated, that might solve your problem until you need to cut your tablets at a lower dose?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Floridafan]

1mg EC are very expensive compared to plain, and very often there seems to be a shortage from manufacturers.

[jaycee444]

I always thought enteric coated were more expensive than plain? Just picked up my prescription and had a word with pharmacist who told me he doesn’t think that 2.5mg plain Prednisolone is available anymore……. Not sure I believe that! Not our usual pharmacist but I would have thought he could have checked to make sure……?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

Most EC tablets are more expensive, but the 2.5mg is the exception - it obviously is a very popular dose for some illness - hence the cost.

Just had a quick look at BNF/NICE drugs tarif - they are still listing both EC & plain for numerous manufacturers. EC - under £2 for 28/30 - plain £4 for 28 ...

for info 1mg - EC £32 for 100, plain £0.72p for 28 - same manufacturer...😲

[jaycee444 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for that information DL. Can now see why it has been prescribed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jaycee444]

Though why not just tell you to get a pill cutter and cut the 5's? The UK seems to have something against it - have heard them claim the drug isn't evenly distributed in the pill but that is baloney according to pharma manufacturers. It is very common here.