Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi All,
I'm currently on 2.5mg of pred, I've noticed in my cupboard I still have a lot of 5mg tablets left over, can I cut the 5mg in half to make 2.5mg per day??
many thanks
Andrea xx
0 likes, 14 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
nick67069 andrea93419
Posted
gillian_25383 andrea93419
Posted
EileenH andrea93419
Posted
Accuracy of cutting is not particularly important - you will get the same total dose over 2 days and it is just the same as when you are reducing, a slightly lower dose.
Enteric coated/gastro resistant are NOT the same as delayed release. They are coated to reduce the risk of gastric irritation, nothing to do with causing the pred to be released at a later time. Those are marketed as Lodotra/Rayos and the coating is different, it is designed to still release in the stomach but after 4 hours, not immediately. The enteric coated form are designed to pass through the stomach and are absorbed lower down the gut, they are absorbed later but that is just because of gastric transit time.
EileenH
Posted
And a PS - don't forget to look at the "Use-by date" on the packs. They don't always have a long shelf-life after they are dispensed. One lady was handed her new prescription - only to find they were already out of date!
Oregonjohn-UK EileenH
Posted
Naughty pharmacy! I have noticed at mine if the expiry date is close he makes a large note on the packet.
I'm at a quarter of one mg and have had a couple of days without any!!!!
EileenH Oregonjohn-UK
Posted
diana21296 Oregonjohn-UK
Posted
dan38655 Oregonjohn-UK
Posted
Great to hear, John. How long have you had pmr?
I've been cutting my 5mg tablets in half since my last online order only allowed me the choice of 5mg not 1mg. It's hopefully more than a lifetime supply for my needs!
And I've been using just two 1mg tabs per day, more often than not of late, since getting a newer refill after consulting with my rheumi, who is no longer suggesting my getting started on supplementary plaquenil.
Not a bad winter at all for me.
EileenH dan38655
Posted
Funny that Dan - I know so many people who were "threatened" with a "steroid sparer" who have got their dose right down. I wonder how many doctors acknowledge the fact...
Oregonjohn-UK dan38655
Posted
Hi Dan - It's a long story which I'm in the process of writing up and hopeful will post it here. I started on Pred in July 2014 @ 30 mg after over 3 weeks practically immobile. Had some up and downs and periods of staying at certain levels until I was ready, not what the medics thought was correct or reduce relentlessly to zero.
The best medication I had, at the end of last year, was to spend over three weeks in Cyprus were the winters are very mild – was mid to low 20c in November and dropped down to 16c a couple of days in December – the main thing for me was I went on my own (with the wifes permission and blessing!), stayed at a very friendly budget hotel and did what I wanted to do without any pressure or stress, hired a little run about and drove every day either along the coast or up into the mountains and best of all walked many miles in my shorts and tee-shirt with a good pair of walking boots enjoying the laid back culture of the Cypriots and taking in the great scenery. Highly recommend !
It is not that accurate to cut any dose, be it 5 or 1 mg, but over a period of 4 days 1 mg is taken maybe not precisely in four parts (with some loss in dust!). I firmly believe that there are psychological and physiological aspect to both reducing and getting to the magic zero. I have always been cautious always trying to ‘read’ my bodies needs and be aware of any changes, good or bad, but the main ‘problem’ is we are all different! I believe the DSNS method is really great and worked well for me but it has to be refined for each individual person – again we are all different. Watch this space!
3party Oregonjohn-UK
Posted
Oregonjohn-UK 3party
Posted
Tony - I worked in Portland many years ago and sort of fell in love with Oregon! Due to my wife being seriously ill I returned to the UK and she died a few years later. I'm English but have lived and worked all over the place for over 30 years, only settled down in the wonderful New Forest in Hampshire some 40 years ago, and am still in the same house but with the third wife (was widowed twice)!
3party andrea93419
Posted
Anhaga andrea93419
Posted
I used up all my 5 mg tablets this way, Had so many that I was able to use the 2.5 for tapering to 4.5, 3.5 and eventually to 2.5. But they're all gone now, so have to cut 1 mg.