Enteric Coating on tablets

[Eve]

Was asked today if some of my tablets are enteric coated (think they need to be for me to tolerate them better) but I have no idea.

I've checked the packaging but it doesn't say.

Is there any way I can find out?

If not will try and get to see a pharmacist this weekend to see if they can tell me.

Thank you :)

[abstibus]

Enteric coated tablets are usually smooth and shiny, sometimes coloured. Does this help?

[stonekicker]

the name of the drug may have ec written after it and if you break one in half, enteric tablets have a 'skin' on them the doesn't break cleanly and should be visible. happy hunting!

[stonekicker]

btw, tony ted is right...ec tablets are designed to dissolve later on in your digestive system, so you shouldn't be breaking them in half to eat, anyway. they may not work properly!

[bednobs]

as above really - if they are enteric coated, they will probably have "ec" after the name e.g. "prednisolone ec"
they MAY be shiny but be aware that some tablets are film coated (FC) and that also makes them shiny.
have you ever discovered http://www.bnf.org ?
that has all the prescribable medicines, their side effects,cautions, interractions and prices (to the nhs) plus extra stuff like explanations of e/c f/c

[bednobs]

so, for example with Sulphazalazine there are two prescibable types:
Sulfasalazine (Non-proprietary)
Tablets, sulfasalazine 500 mg. Net price 112 = �15.37. Label: 14, counselling, blood disorder symptoms (see recommendation above), contact lenses may be stained
Tablets, e/c, sulfasalazine 500 mg. Net price 112-tab pack = �28.39. Label: 5, 14, 25, counselling, blood disorder symptoms (see recommendation above), contact lenses may be stained
Brands include Sulazine EC�

therefore, one is enteric coated and one is not. it will depend on what the prescriber puts on the prescription which one you get

[puddicat]

So Boring take the tablet be it ec or gr it all goes down the same way!!!!

[bednobs]

SULFASALAZINE
(Sulphasalazine)
Additional information interactions (Sulfasalazine); renal impairment; pregnancy; breast-feeding.
Indications active rheumatoid arthritis; ulcerative colitis, see section 1.5 and notes above

Cautions see section 1.5 and notes above

The CSM has recommended that patients should be advised to report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise. A blood count should be performed and the drug stopped immediately if there is suspicion of a blood dyscrasia.

Contra-indications see section 1.5 and notes above

Side-effects see section 1.5 and notes above

Dose
By mouth, administered on expert advice, as enteric-coated tablets, initially 500 mg daily, increased by 500 mg at intervals of 1 week to a max. of 2�3 g daily in divided doses


As can be seen, the instructions to prescribing doctors are to prescribe the e/c ones to ra patients

[puddicat]

Is this the battle of the nursing world

[Eve]

Thank you so much for all your help. Have found out they're not enteric coated.

Especially you bednobs, it is the sulfasalazine, spoke to rhumatology nurse earlier and she said to come off them again and restart even more slowly (they initially put me on 2 a day for a week then 4 a day after that).

She suggested it may be the colouring or if they are not enteric coated which may make it harder for me to tolerate them. I want to stay in them if poss as they are really helping but the headaches I get on them are too disabling at the moment.

Thank you all, hopefully I can get enteric coated ones and all will be well :)

puddicat - it was on the advice of a rhumatology nurse I checked as it may have meant stopping a drug which really helps me when I can now try a different version and be fine on it.

[bednobs]

both times i started them i was on 1 a day for a week, then 2 a day for a week, then 3 a day for a week then 4 a day for a week.
Don't be disheartened. if the sulpha is not right for you, then there are plenty of other dmards to try

[puddicat]

sure you will survive

[bednobs]

i agree puddicat, jenna WILL survive