Enteric coated prednisolone

Posted , 13 users are following.

I had a phone appointment with a GP today (just finished my first month of 15mg pred) and I asked him about enteric coated pred. He said that it's no longer prescribed; apparently research has shown that it offers no further protection to the stomach and it was a 'ruse' by the drug companies to charge more for the drug. Perhaps it's only in Scotland that it's no longer prescribed? Has anyone heard of this? 

I feel a bit confused after today's appointment! In a previous phone appointment with the same GP he tried to push the alendronic acid, omeprazole and something else (can't remember!) but I was reluctant to take any of them without looking into it further. Today he didn't try to push any of these. Why the change of heart?!  (I'm pleased, but confused!)

The good news is my pred is now down from 15mg to 12.5mg! Heading in the right direction...

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  • Posted

    I too take omeprazole for Crohns disease. It's essentially for acid in your digestive symptoms.

    • Posted

      Btw....good to hear you're down to 12.5mg! I also started at 15mg. but am only down to 14.5mg after bouncing around a bit! Waiting to hear if I may possibly have GCA as opposed to pmr😖🙏! Had blood work done yesterday.

    • Posted

      Fingers crossed that you don't have GCA. I hope you find out soon - at least then you know what you're dealing with. 

       

    • Posted

      Great news! Just got call from Rheumy. My "markers" are down in blood results which signifies prednisone is working. Wfewww! 1st time in past 7 weeks I've felt optimistic!

    • Posted

      Thx for kind words! I just spent 10m defending myself for something I posted that was taken the wrong way! Oy vay...this gets exhausting sometimes!
    • Posted

      It's so easy to get the wrong end of the stick when 'talking' to people online! I'm in some other forums (nothing to do with health) and people can be so rude. Sometimes it's best to walk away. 

  • Posted

    That is totally incorrect, enteric coated pred is still prescribed throughout U.K. 5mg, 2.5mg and 1mg. Ask your pharmacist to back me up. Well done on the reduction.
  • Posted

    Dumfries & Galloway did issue instructions to stop the prescribing of enteric coated pred in 2010 - largely based on cost I think and possibly other NHS regions have done the same.  It may be that the cost differential is no longer so great.  Re your recollection of the doctor offering 'something else'  - he should have included a Calcium/Vit. D supplement which is definitely something which is prescribed whilst on prednisolone long term.

    • Posted

      You're right - Calcium/Vit D was the 'something else' - thank you! I was already taking a Calc/Vit D supplement, so that's how I managed to avoid that prescription. 

      It's interesting re the enteric coated pred. You'd think if one health board stopped using a drug because of the cost, they all would. After all, none of them are awash with money! 

    • Posted

      I live in Scotland and I discussed enteric coated Pred with my GP about 2 year ago. He scoffed at the difference in price and said there was very little difference in the cost. He did the maths for me but I'm sorry I can't remember the figures. Perhaps this has changed but the particular GP has now retired. 

    • Posted

      The big advantage is that you do not have to pay for the cost of the PPIs too.
    • Posted

      One advantage of living in Scotland is that prescriptions are free for all. As I'm over 60 they would have been free anyway. 

    • Posted

      I was really talking about the NHS having to pay for the PPIs as well, but you are right in England under 60s would have to have two prescriptions. 
    • Posted

      I did wonder if you meant the NHS but wasn't sure but thank you for clarifying. I guess in England one could purchase a prepaid card which then allows any number of prescriptions in that period. I assume that is still the case as we had it in Scotland before all prescriptions became free. 

    • Posted

      Yes I did think about the prepaid card, but thought it might make my post too complex after having muddled you once!

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