From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2001-10-09 11:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re Insulinoma & Food
Prednisone is used in humans in once a day and
every other day regimens, depending on the
reason for treatment, and the desired effect.
Pred starts to loose its potent effects within
8 hours, so I can see why the three times
a day may work better for some. However,
it lasts up to 48 hours in the body before it is
eliminated completely. So, I don't think the vet
is wrong to suggest the once a day dosing, or
every other day as long as the animal is doing
well, I would think it can be tapered or increased
as the desired effect is reached. It should always be tapered
before being stopped if it is given more than a week,
at least that is true in humans,
Of course, her vet is talking about reaching the max
dose of pred of 2mg/kg a day, so technically he is
right that after that dose is reached there isn't much
more that can be done, however keeping the dose
the same and trying the twice or three times a day
dosing by dividing the 2.5mg into two or three is worth
a try, making sure the feeding is at least every 4 hours, and
no meals missed may also help.
Patty
Judy,
Well, from what I've heard, and I could be wrong, Pred only
lasts for 12 hours at a time. So giving it every other day
wouldn't work very well and along the same theory, once a
day wouldn't be great either. What I have found to work best
and from what I have heard from others is to give pred every
12 hours. I don't mean to put down your vet, but have you
talked to another vet about the dosages? Also, there is more
that you can try, Proglycem (Diazoxide) has worked well for
many when the fert reaches maximum dosages of Pred.
Currently I give my Maggie (7 1/2) .4 cc (1mg Pred to 6.67
feretone) 3 times a day and it has stabilized her very well
when before, giving .6cc every 12 hours was still not
working. Again, I'm not trying to bash your vet, but you
might really want to consider a second opinion on how and
how much to administer the pred.
With warmest regards,
Stephanie