Decker SO, Keller F, Mayer J, Stracke S
Twice daily fractionated dose administration of prednisolone compared to standard once daily administration to patients with glomerulonephritis or with kidney transplants. [Journal Article]
Med Klin (Munich) 2009 Jun 15; 104(6):429-33.
BACKGROUND: Pharmacokinetic half-life of prednisolone is 2-3 h, indicating short pharmacodynamic effect duration. Therefore, the fractionated twice daily administration of prednisolone might be favorable.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 6-month observational study was conducted in a total of 51 patients, 35 with glomerulonephritis and 16 with kidney transplants. Low-dose and long-term prednisolone was given twice daily to 37 patients and once daily to 14 patients.
RESULTS: The median dose (first-third quartile) for fractionated prednisolone was 2 x 1.25 mg/day (2.5-2.6) and significantly lower (p = 0.008) than the once daily standard dose of 1 x 4.0 mg/day (2.5-5.0). The number of comedications was also significantly lower in the fractionated dose group: 1.0 co-immunosuppressant (0.0-1.0) compared to 1.5 drugs (0.25-2.0) such as cyclosporine and/or mycophenolate (p = 0.017), and 0.0 antidiabetics (0.0-0.0) versus 0.0 drugs (0.0-0.75) such as gliquidone (p = 0.032). The fall in proteinuria was significant in the fractionated dose group with -0.12 g/l (-0.4-0.0) versus +0.08 g/l (-0.04-+0.24) in controls (p = 0.008).
CONCLUSION: Twice daily fractionated administration of prednisolone allows a lower daily dose (total 2.5 mg/day), and appears to be as efficient but less diabetogenic compared to the standard once daily dosing (4.0 mg/day).
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