Question: I am a 1949 paralytic polio survivor (at 10 months old). I have rheumatoid arthritis and most of the typical drugs to control pain and progression have frightening side effects. I do well on a modest dose of prednisone and have read in Arthritis Today about a time-released prednisone called Lodotra®. One of Lodotra’s precautions, however, refers to patients who have had polio. Can you tell me why a polio survivor would be at risk for taking Lodotra? It sounds like a perfect solution for me otherwise.
Answer: I reviewed some of the internet information about Lodotra. I believe the precaution mentioned about poliomyelitis refers to an acute infection with the polio-myelitis virus, or after receiving the live polio vaccine. It is my opinion that your risk of side-effects from Lodotra would not be different from anyone else’s, since your history of paralytic polio as a child was 50-plus years ago. Consider the pros and cons of Lodotra as an alternative to your current use of prednisone for control of your RA in consultation with your doctor, independent of your polio history.
Post-Polio Health (Vol. 29, No. 4, Winter 2013)