Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My neurologist has prescribed a 3 day course of Prednisolone Anhydrous - Powder, 1.2 GM each day (to add to a liquid to drink). I've not been successful in finding information on this - anyone taken this course of steroids? The information given to me by the pharmacy that compounded this was pretty limited to - 'it tastes pretty awful - you'll want to drink it in a slushee, it might upset your stomach'. I'd prefer a little more information!
Hi Stormy:
I've taken solumedrol, a high dose steroid, this way before since I don't tolerate the infusion very well. This is also a powder that I mix into liquid, usually cranberry juice to mask the taste. The pharmacy had never solumedrol taken this way before so I didn't get any advice from them either. This is also supposed to be very difficult on the stomach lining -- my neurologist said it's like drinking battery acid.
BUT... I found it a very easy thing to do. I just held my breath while drinking (you don't taste it that way), sipping it over the course of an hour for each dose so that it didn't all hit my stomach at one time (the advice of my neurologist). I didn't have any stomach upsets and it was no big deal.
My neurologist told me that for solumedrol, there is some concern that taking the drug this way isn't as effective (vs. an infusion) since it doesn't get into the bloodstream directly, thus diluting the impact.
I hope some of this helps. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your information on your experience - I was very frustrated with the lack of information I got from the pharmacy that combined it, and when I couldn't find anything on the internet, well, it made me a bit nervous. And silly me, didn't really ask my neurologist for too much information in regards to actually ingesting it. I guess I was more worried about choosing between the IV course and the oral course!
It has always been part of my normal procedure with any new prescription to actually read all the directions and potential side effects that they give you when you fill your prescription. When I spoke with the pharmacist that filled it, (over the phone) I didn't ask a lot of questions - I figured I would just read the information for myself. But - they didn't send any info!
I was due to start the course this morning - so I stopped by and spoke with my regular pharmacist last night - he basically said the same thing as you - but didn't indicate whether I should space it out, or drink it all at once.
So, I ended up taking my first course this morning - drinking it with a fruit smoothie (cranberry & raspberry). I like to get unpleasant things over with in a hurry - so I mixed it with about 4 ounces, and just drank it all down at once. The taste while drinking it wasn't perfect - but, certainly not absolutely awful. The after tasted has lingered, and isn't so pleasant, but, not so awful as to make me gag or anything - and ultimately, from my perspective, a better option than an IV - provided it gives the desired outcome. I guess time will tell with that!
Once again - thanks for your input - my stomach doesn't seem to be upset with it - but, maybe taking your advice and spreading the dosage over the course of any hour might be a wise choice - just to help avoid that.