Prednisolone - A bit confused?

[Gray C]

I have been prescribed this drug along with Asacol.

I am very reluctant to take the steroids but I guess I should if I want to ease the acute flare up of UC. I was only diagnosed just before Christmas.

The first consultant I saw (surgeon) prescribed 6x5mg daily for one week, reducing to 4x5mg daily for one week then 2x5mg daily on the third week. I did not start the course as I had a few queries regarding compatibility with other drugs (blood pressure, aspirin and cholesterol). I have now seen a different specialist (I think he is a Gastroenterologist) and he has said that the dosage I was originally prescribed is wrong and that it should be as follows:

6x5mg for 2 weeks reducing by one tablet every two weeks, a total of 12 weeks not 3 as I was originally told.

This is very confusing and I am concerned about the side effects of this drug over this period of time. He did say I would need to start taking vitamin D for my bones

I have yet to start taking the ASACOL 400mg 3 times a day for two weeks. I thought this drug to be a long term antibiotics, so again I am a bit confused by the two week course, I thought Asacol would be for a longer period of time? I will probably start these tomorrow.

These drugs worry me!

 

[Rebecca85]

I would go with the Gi's recommendation, because that fits better with what myself and others have gone through, and the gastro will know more about medications than a surgeon. 12 weeks is a typical time to be on steroids, but you could always ask if you could reduce by one tablet a week to start with to try to reduce the time you are on it.

Most side effects are only temporary and will lessen as you reduce the dose. Of course, not everyone will get all the side effects. The main long term effect is osteoporosis, the risk can be reduced by taking a good quality vitamin d (specifically d3) and calcium supplement. I am guessing from your terminology that you are in the UK, so you can ask your GP to prescribe or recommend a supplement.

Asacol is typically not a short term drug, it isn't an antibiotic, it's an anti inflammatory and is usually prescribed to maintain remission indefinitely. And 400mg 3 times a day sounds kind of low. so I would double check your instructions for that one.

Finally, aspirin is not usually recommended to take by people with an IBD, as it irritates the stomach and gut linings. I would ask if there is an alternative you can take.

 

[Angrybird]

Hi there, from personal experience I woud say the 2nd doc has a much more accuate regime for the pred, it needs to be tapered down very slowly because of the way it affects the body's natural steroid production. Also make sure that you doc gives you a calcium supplement to take whilst you are on this, it is VERY important you do this as this will help keep your bone protected. With regards to the Asacol I have not been on it so I cannot say how this should be administered, although based on what others have said about this drug I would agree that this is a more long term treatment so I would check with doc about this. It could be they are only giving you enough tablets for two weeks initially to see how you get on with it.