enteric coated prednisolone

[rify]

having reduced from 40 mg in 2016 to 3 mg in 2023 I suffered a severe relapse Christmas 2023 due to Covid. I increased to. 10 mg and I’m now on 9 mg April 2024.

I am taking enteric coated prednisolone . It takes me until 3 pm each day to begin to feel human. I take the medication at 9 am in the morning. I could not tolerate the plain tablets plus esomprazole.

In the mornings, my legs ache and I am so tired. I go back to bed. In the afternoons, I feel able to do some gardening and happy to socialise it by the evening.

Could I try taking the prednisolone during the night or before going to bed?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Enteric coated pred takes more than 4 hours to get into the system - it must pass all the way through the stomach before it is absorbed. That's why you are taking so long to get relief. We often suggest to people to take it just before they go to bed - then it is working by the early morning when the next batch of inflammatory substances is released. You could also take it if you have to get up to the bathroom i n the night but just before bed is fine too and you will get to sleep before it is absorbed and might wake you up.

[autumnlass in reply to PMRpro]

I was interested in your reply PMR pro as I take enteric coated Pred 10 mg. I always thought it would keep me awake! However it shouldn’t you say? I take mine at 8-9 in the morning. Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to autumnlass]

If you take it before bed it won't release until early morning so you should get to sleep and then not notice it. Taking it that late in the morning it isn't working until mid afternoon.

[autumnlass in reply to PMRpro]

I was very grateful for the previous post - it prompted me to write to you! Many thanks for replying. I’m following that regime tonight! ⭐️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to autumnlass]

Always worth a try - and if it doesn't work, you can go back.

[rify in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro. Thank you for your advice. I tried taking my prednisolone when I woke in the night. I’ve only tried two nights. I think I’m going to try taking it before I go to bed tonight because I woke at two different times. The first time I stayed awake and the second time was too late.

However, I definitely need to do something about the timing of my medication, it seems to take 5 1/2 to 6 hours for me to feel any benefit. So fingers crossed for the new regime. Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to rify]

Exactly - and taking it before you get in bed allows it to be working by the time the inflammatory substances are coming out to play and they don't get to cause as much damage.