Enteric coated capsules for pred
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello, I sometimes get really bad heartburn from the preds, so bad that my rheum had me see a cardiologist. Anyway, I ordered some enteric coated capsules to put the nasty little things in before I take them so they will dissolve in the intestines and not the stomach. Has anyone tried this and if so, does it work? I've read that sometimes they don't dissolve and you eliminate them.
0 likes, 15 replies
Nefret Anniecurd
Posted
Can't your GP give you the enteric coated tabs? I have heartburn/acid reflux/hiatus hernia and I've not had any gastric problems with the coated ones.
So no, I can't give you any info on the gel caps, were you told that you needed to do it like that? I'm just puzzled.
EileenH Anniecurd
Posted
I suppose you can only try it and see what happens.
Have you tried taking the pred in the middle of meal? Eat half, take the pred, eat the other half? Recommended by a pharmacist and it has worked really well for several people.
Anniecurd
Posted
EileenH Anniecurd
Posted
There is history to this:
Guidelines were issued that enteric coated pred was 17x more expensive than ordinary white pred so a PPI should be prescribed for patients who couldn't cope with uncoated pred's gastric effects as that would be cheaper. The manufacturer's immediate response was to increase the price of ordinary pred from pence to closer to the price of enteric coated pred, there is no longer a 17-fold difference in price.
These figures are about right - I'm remembering them of the top of my head. They were provided by a pharmacist:
1 month of 5mg ordinary pred tablets costs £1.31
1 month of 5mg enteric coated pred costs £1.86
1 month of omeprazole (PPI stomach protection) £1.86
Each time a prescription is dispensed the NHS pays the pharmacist a dispensing fee. I think (I may be wrong) that it is 90p - that is for every different prescription drug remember.
So if you get 5mg ordinary white pred plus omeprazole that is £1.31 + 90p + £1.86 + 90p = £4.97
If you get 5mg enteric coated pills (no omeprazole needed) that is £1.86 + 90p = £2.76
Are you still with me? Now when I was in school - that actually makes enteric coated CHEAPER than plain pred plus omeprazole.
Into the bargain - by having another medication you are adding another set of side effects to the mix. Plus, taking a PPI reduces the absorption of calcium and increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. So you are more likely to need another medication to deal with the risk of osteoporosis...
Go to your GP and discuss it with them. Take my figures with you. Anyone would think the blooming rheumy was having the cost of the medications taken out of her salary! Most GPs hand out pred plus PPI anyway! Whether you want it or not.
Padada EileenH
Posted
I also make sure I eat something too of course.
I also am taking zantc 75 mg in the AM because the prednisone causes me to have continual stomach upset and nausea. The zantac just helps with the upset slightly, but I am glad for any help in the stomach area. It is just one of the side effects of prednisone that I live with. So I wonder if zantac also reduces the absorption of calcium? Seems like it might.
EileenH Padada
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Padada EileenH
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Oh, you may find this interesting. I once had a primary care physician who would not order any medication that had not been around for at least 10 years. She preferred the 'time tested' meds to the 'new and improved'.
EileenH Padada
Posted
There is a great deal of fuss about the risks with pred - but since it has been in use since the 1950s they know all about them. The much newer drugs from the last decade or two may LOOK miraculous as the drug company publishes the bits that suit them, but after being used in a lot of people for a long time they often turn out to have feet of clay.
penelope10875 Anniecurd
Posted
At the moment I'm on 7.5mg so thats 3 coated tablets. Hurray!
It is a bit of a faff, but I plant the half capsules in the sugar bowl and feed them with a months worth of tablets, put the tops on and it's done for the month, easy!
Give it a go!
jackie87166 Anniecurd
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penelope10875 jackie87166
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EileenH penelope10875
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penelope10875 EileenH
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Anniecurd
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jackie87166 Anniecurd
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