1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Prednisolone tablets

Posted , 11 users are following.

jancorb
jancorb

Good morning

Question for my fellow forum member, I'm now settled on a tapered dose of 14 mg, happily no problems so far, but I find the prednisolone tablets very hard to distinguish one from the other.

I'm concerned that mistakes could happen, my 5 mg are almost identical to the 1 mg tablet, a very slight difference in size that could easily be mistaken.

Would it not be possible for the manufacturer to add a different colour to each to help us control our daily doses?

I have bought a couple of tablet dispenser wallets which means I can sort everything weekly, this helps but I'm still worried.

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Next
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall jancorb

    Posted

    Hello jancorb. One easy way to distinguish between the two apart from the size is the 5mg tablets on 1 side has an indented line right down the centre so that the tablet can be cut in half. I bought a really cheap magnifying glass from the pound shop and I use this when I cut the tablet in half for my .5doses. Regards, tina
  • nick67069
    nick67069 jancorb

    Posted

    To answer your question directly, yes manufacturing can make different colors for different dosage... I live in Japan, and here 5mg are pink and 1mg is white.  Best to talk to your pharmacist and ask if they have alternate supplier.
  • jeanne333
    jeanne333 jancorb

    Posted

    I'm with you .. different colored pills would be a big help ..
  • julian.
    julian. jancorb

    Posted

    seems to depend on the manufacturer and the label in Aus, we get generics as well as name brand.

    Sometimes the 5s have 5 embossed in them. The 5s are more brittle than the 1s so split more easily. And they look like thyroxine 100s though the ones I currently have are embossed with 100.

    I lost my concentration once when filling the weekly pill box. Had to start again, threw away anything that might be mixed.

    • jancorb
      jancorb julian.

      Posted

      Very wise Julian

      My worry is someone could easily confused 1 mg for 5, with distrous results. I think in the UK there is a reporting webpage for any worries about prescribed meds, anyone know?

  • Susanne_M_UK
    Susanne_M_UK jancorb

    Posted

    You are obviously not getting the entricoated tablets, as the 5mgs are red and the 2.5mgs Brown. Only the 1mgs, which are not coated, are white.
    • jancorb
      jancorb Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Hi Susanne

      Are you in the UK?, I googled this question and it appears they are difficult to get hold of, I think price has a lot to do with the choice of tablet.

    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK jancorb

      Posted

      Yes I'm in the UK. Entricoated are more expensive, but much better for your stomach. Your GP or rheumy will be able to prescribe them.
    • jancorb
      jancorb Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      I asked my GP at my last consult, he said the entricoated tablets were "difficult to get hold of" , methinks this has more to do with budget constraints?

      So I get up early, take Omeprazole to coat my stomach, followed by 30 mins later a bowl of porridge and my preds. A bit of a performance, I take it you can simply take your preds on waking?

      Regards Jan

    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK jancorb

      Posted

      Jan, your GP is being very economical with the truth! Ask your pharmacist if he/she has difficulty in stocking them!

      I used to take Omeprazole. I kept them by my bed and took them when I woke up and then the Pred about an hour later with breakfast. I have since switched to Ranitidine (a similar drug), which I take twice/day, with breakfast and on going to bed.

    • jancorb
      jancorb Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      Thanks Suzanne I will ask, in the meantime I'll follow your advice and take the Omeprazole first thing.

      Regards Jan

  • jancorb
    jancorb

    Posted

    An interesting development, my latest prescription is by a another manufacturer (Wockhardt) and the 5 mg is roughly twice the size of the 1mg, much easier to sort. I'll have a chat with the pharmacy and ask for this type in future.
  • louisa85653
    louisa85653 jancorb

    Posted

    Hi Jancorb

    Just to say that I too use 5mg and 1mg but the 5mg are red and rounded whereas the 1mg are white and flat circles which helps....

    Hope you can get the different colours which I definitely agree would help.

     

    • jancorb
      jancorb louisa85653

      Posted

      Hi Louisa

      I just posted that my latest prescription came from a different manufacturer, and the 5 mg tablet is roughly twice the size of the 1 mg. Much easier to distinguish, I ask the pharmacist if I can keep to this type, I'll let you know.

      Regards Jan

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

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.