Treatment
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Information regarding the use of the study drug (Instructions for Study Medication) was given to each subject. Subjects were informed of the potential for drug interactions with the study drug. Subjects were instructed to inform their personal physicians that they are participating in a research study involving treatment. The dose of the MR-prednisone employed in this study was 10 mg/qd. At the end of the first study visit each subject received their bottle of 112 tablets, either 5 mg MR-prednisone or matching placebo. The drug and placebo cores were surrounded by a shell matched in appearance for color, size, shape, and embossment. The placebo core contained: 43.8 mg lactose monohydrate, 11 mg croscarmellose sodium, 4 mg providone, 0.3 mg colloidal silicone dioxide, 0.6 mg magnesium stearate, 0.3 mg red ferric oxide. Subjects were instructed to take 2 tablets at bedtime. After 8 weeks each subject returned to the MVAHCS for their second study visit. Bottles were returned to the research pharmacist, and the remaining pills were counted to assess compliance