I have just been switched over to hydrocortisone from Prednisolone
My surgery told me that they come in 10mgs, so I will have to cut some in half to get 5mgs, I have been given a proper pill cutter, and using it as prescribed, but already I have wasted 2 tablets due to them crumbling, so have been trying to cut them with a knife, a little more successful but not ideal,
Is my Pharmacist just fobbing me off with the 10mgs, as I did google it and they seem to come in 5mgs. but I know I shouldn't rely on Google
Written by
bowler
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes it does say it can be cut into half and quarters , I dread the thought of having to cut them in quarters !!!! I was taking prednisolone a once a day dose, which was so much easier, At 76 I don't know why I couldn't stay on the Pred, as I have been on them for over 20 years,
In the UK Hydrocortisone is only prescribed in 10mgs tablets, you need to make sure that they are scored to be cut otherwise there is no guarantee that the amount of active ingredient (HC) will be the same in each part of the tablet. Plenadren is a slow release form of HC in 5mgs however not many people are given these as they take are not absorbored as quickly as "normal" HC. I'm on HC due to adrenal insufficiency, I take my HC 5-6 times a day in smaller doses, so 5mgs & 2.5mgs, I also cut them into smaller bits which are a bit of a guesstimate. The best brand is Accord Hydrocortisone as it splits well, it is recommended that you stick to the same brand, your GP can specify it on the prescription. Probably the reason you have been swapped to Hydrocortisone is that it is biosimilar to the cortisol your body should make. I just use a sharp kitchen knife to chop up mine. I hope you are under the care of an Endocrinologist to monitor you on HC?
Yes I am under the care of an Endo at Addenbrooks in Cambridge
My tablets are oval shaped and scored 4 ways, I take mine 3 times a day, 10mg 5mg 5mg
As I have just started the change over my Endo said he don't want to see me until 6 months time, at the moment all my hospital appointments have been by telephone as I am shielding
I was on 5 mgs of Prednisolone, and it obviously wasn't enough as my cortisone level was
74 then it went up to 117 no wonder I felt lethargic. Unfortunately my surgery isn't very supportive, they sent the blood to a different hospital so I didn't know I had dropped to 74 nor did my Endo at Addenbrooks, so they had to chase it up
I don't seem to be having any problems, with the change [ apart from the pill cutting ] but it's early days yet , I have to remember to double my dose next week as I am having an Angiogram , [ I have heart disease , ] The joys of getting old
Addenbrookes is one of the better Endocrine units in the country so you will get good care there. Many GP;s won't see a person with Adrenal insufficiency in the working life. If you are on Facebook there is a good support group called UK Addison's Disease & AI info & support group, there are some very knowledgeable people on there. There is also the Addison's Disease website as well. I have to take my HC every 3-4 hours, so 6 times a day but in smaller doses, I drop too low if I can much longer between doses. It's not always easy to manage it, I wish there was a home testing monitor like diabetics use. Hope the angiogram goes well
My GPs didn't seem to be interested, and always tell me to contact the Hospital for any queries, which I now do and speak to one of the the Endo nurse's
It's a shame that heath unlocked doesn't have an adrenal site, as I am inundated with thyroid e/mails
It is shame that there isn't an adrenal site, fortunately there are Facebook groups so I'm in them.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Cutting Accord tablet
Cutting Levothyroxin Tablets
Alternate days or cut pill in half? 
Cutting T3 tablets into quarters success. 
Update on Endo appointment and question about cutting pills in half!
