Methylprednisolone versus prednisolone pharmacokinetics in relation to dose in adults.Methylprednisolone vs. Prednisone
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Methylprednisolone vs. prednisone: Differences, similarities, and which is better. |
Methylprednisolone and prednisone can reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. But, recent guidelines recommend against their use, except in exceptional circumstances. Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a condition that can affect many different parts of your body. It causes pain, limits your movement, and worsens without treatment. There are many treatments for RA that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Methylprednisolone and prednisone both belong to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.
These drugs help people with RA by reducing immune responses that can lead to swelling, pain, and joint damage. Occasionally, doctors may recommend a short-term course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation while DMARDs take effect. ACR recommendations state that doctors should only use corticosteroids a the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids.
However, doctors rarely recommend intravenous methylprednisolone for RA treatment. Side effects of both medications include:. Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to serious complications, such as osteoporosis , cardiovascular problems, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Learn more about the side effects of methylprednisolone and prednisone. Both methylprednisolone and prednisone can interact with other drugs. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. It can be harmful or prevent either drug from working well.
This can help your doctor prevent possible interactions. Methylprednisolone also interacts with an additional drug called cyclosporine Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf , which suppresses the immune system.
People with a history of perforations, gastrointestinal inflammation, and ulcers should use corticosteroids with caution. Osteoporosis is a potential adverse effect of corticosteroids, as corticosteroids can decrease bone density and increase the rate of bone loss.
People at risk of osteoporosis, such as postmenopausal women, should avoid long-term corticosteroid treatment. Prolonged use of methylprednisolone and prednisone may lead to cataracts and glaucoma, among other eye problems.
People with a history of eye disorders should use corticosteroids with caution. Methylprednisolone and prednisone may alter the results of skin tests or other allergy tests. For the most accurate results, steroid therapy should be stopped days before undergoing allergy tests. There are limited well-controlled studies of corticosteroids in pregnant women.
However, animal studies suggest that corticosteroids may cause birth defects in infants. The use of corticosteroids during pregnancy should only be recommended when it is clear the benefit outweighs any risks. Infants born to mothers who used corticosteroids during pregnancy should be observed for hypoadrenalism. Steroids should only be administered for as short a duration as possible to achieve the desired effects.
If long-term use of steroids is medically necessary, the steroids should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose. Methylprednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. It is available as an oral tablet and IV, IM, or intra-articular injection. The most common treatment duration for oral therapy with a Medrol Dosepak is six days. Brand names of the injectable form of methylprednisolone include Solu-Medrol and Depo-Medrol.
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid that is metabolized by the liver to its active form, prednisolone. Like other corticosteroids, it is used to treat many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Prednisone is available as an oral tablet and oral solution.
Prednisone for short-term corticosteroid treatment usually entails a five-day regimen. Although they are both steroids that work in similar ways, methylprednisolone and prednisone are not the same. Prednisone must be metabolized to its active form, prednisolone, in order to have an effect on the body. In addition, methylprednisolone is slightly more potent than prednisone. A dose of 4 mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisone.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone can help reduce inflammation and treat various conditions when the right doses are given. Methylprednisolone may be better when intra-articular injections are needed. However, oral formulations may be preferred over injectable formulations for certain diseases due to lower costs and ease of administration. Methylprednisolone is slightly stronger than prednisone.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone are in pregnancy risk category C. In other words, there are no controlled human studies proving the medication is safe during pregnancy. However, animal studies suggest these corticosteroids may cause fetal harm. These medications should only be used when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
Alcohol is metabolized by the liver. Alcohol and corticosteroids can also affect blood sugar levels, blood pressure, the immune system, and the gastrointestinal system, especially with long-term use of alcohol or corticosteroids. Alcohol use is best minimized during courses of steroid treatment.
However, methylprednisolone is about five times more potent than hydrocortisone. Methylprednisolone has a rapid onset. It reaches its peak effect within one to two hours after an oral dose and within one hour of an intravenous dose. It is metabolized by the liver into inactive metabolites, which are excreted in the urine.
The average half-life of methylprednisolone following IV administration is around three hours, while the average half-life of methylprednisolone following oral administration is around two hours. Meet your Best of the Best Pharmacy Award winners! Search for a topic or drug. Methylprednisolone vs. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are corticosteroid medications used to treat various diseases and disorders.
By Gerardo Sison, Pharm. Updated on Sep. Top Reads in Drug vs. Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Methylprednisolone disposition parameters were compared with the non-transcortin bound parameters for prednisolone. The prednisolone plasma clearance based on the transcortin free-drug is similar to methylprednisolone total plasma clearance.
Long-term use can cause problems to your skin, bones, eyes, and place you at a higher risk for infections. If Medrol methylprednisolone is used for more than 2 weeks, you will need to work with a doctor to get off of the medicine by gradually decreasing the dose. Medrol methylprednisolone can cause harm to an unborn baby, so it might not be a good option for pregnant women.
Might cause abnormal growth and development when used in children. Deltasone prednisone can cause unwanted side effects such as mood changes, trouble sleeping, and increase in blood pressure as well as blood sugar at higher doses.
If Deltasone prednisone is used for more than 2 weeks, you will need to work with a doctor to taper off the medicine by gradually decreasing the dose.
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Deltasone prednisone Prescription only. Calms down your immune system. Medrol methylprednisolone is effective for treating a variety of conditions involving the immune system. Can help improve energy and stimulate your appetite. Works quickly to provide relief for swelling, rash, asthma attacks, and pain. Medrol methylprednisolone is available in a generic form.
Available as blister packs that organize tablets into specific days and times for easier administration. Deltasone prednisone effectively treats a variety of conditions involving the immune system. Good long-term treatment option for autoimmune disorders. Deltasone prednisone is available in a generic form. Medrol methylprednisolone can cause unwanted side effects such as mood changes, trouble sleeping, and increase in blood pressure as well as blood sugar at higher doses.
Long-term use can cause problems to your skin, bones, eyes, and place you at a higher risk for infections. If Medrol methylprednisolone is used for more than 2 weeks, you will need to work with a doctor to get off of the medicine by gradually decreasing the dose.
Occasionally, doctors may recommend a short-term course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation while DMARDs take effect. ACR recommendations state that doctors should only use corticosteroids a the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids. However, doctors rarely recommend intravenous methylprednisolone for RA treatment. Side effects of both medications include:. Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to serious complications, such as osteoporosis , cardiovascular problems, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Learn more about the side effects of methylprednisolone and prednisone. Both methylprednisolone and prednisone can interact with other drugs. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. It can be harmful or prevent either drug from working well. This can help your doctor prevent possible interactions. Methylprednisolone also interacts with an additional drug called cyclosporine Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf , which suppresses the immune system.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone can cause adverse symptoms in people with certain health conditions. Make sure you give your doctor your complete medical history. Specifically, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:.
The following treatment options are more common and more effective in treating the condition:. Doctors often use a treat-to-target strategy when creating a treatment plan for RA. This involves the setting of attainable management goals on the way to full remission.
Remission is the absence of all RA symptoms. Treat-to-target may help people stick with treatment programs and improve overall treatment outcomes.
To learn about other treatment options for RA, check out this list of rheumatoid arthritis medications. If cost concerns you, methylprednisolone and prednisone come in generic versions, except for the extended-release prednisone tablet. Prednisone extended-release tablet is only available as the brand-name drug Rayos.
Brand-name drugs are more expensive than generic versions. You and your doctor will decide which form is best for you, so talk with them about your concerns over paying for your medication.
That said, methylprednisolone and prednisone are also both covered by most health insurance plans. The brand-name drugs may require prior authorization from your doctor. In its guidelines, it recommends that doctors limit corticosteroids to the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Talk with your doctor about these two drugs as well as other RA treatment options to get an idea of the choices that will work best for you.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. The use of low dose steroids for rheumatoid arthritis is very common. With the U. Jackson ruling this summer, individual states have been granted increased power to restrict or ban abortions…. Ivermectin is a medication that treats parasitic infections.
By slowing down disease progression, methotrexate…. Rheumatoid arthritis has several telltale symptoms. View rheumatoid arthritis pictures showing how it affects the body, and learn more about its…. Arthritis in the fingers and knuckles can be painful and may ultimately lead to a loss of function.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone can reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. But, recent guidelines recommend against their use, except in exceptional circumstances. Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a condition that can affect many different parts of your body. It causes pain, limits your movement, and worsens without treatment. There are many treatments for RA that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Methylprednisolone and prednisone both belong to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.
These drugs help people with RA by reducing immune responses that can lead to swelling, pain, and joint damage. Occasionally, doctors may recommend a short-term course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation while DMARDs take effect.
ACR recommendations state that doctors should only use corticosteroids a the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids. However, doctors rarely recommend intravenous methylprednisolone for RA treatment. Side effects of both medications include:. Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to serious complications, such as osteoporosiscardiovascular problems, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Learn more about the side effects of methylprednisolone and prednisone.
Both methylprednisolone and prednisone can interact with other drugs. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. It can be harmful or prevent either drug from working well.
This can help your doctor prevent possible interactions. Methylprednisolone also interacts with an additional drug called cyclosporine Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengrafwhich suppresses the immune system. Methylprednisolone and prednisone can cause adverse symptoms in people with certain health conditions. Make sure you give your doctor your complete medical history. Specifically, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:. The following treatment options are more common and more effective in treating the condition:.
Doctors often use a treat-to-target strategy when creating a treatment plan for RA. This involves the setting of attainable management goals on the way to full remission. Remission is the absence of all RA symptoms. Treat-to-target may help people stick with treatment programs and improve overall treatment outcomes. To learn about other treatment options for RA, check out this list of rheumatoid arthritis medications.
If cost concerns you, methylprednisolone and prednisone come in generic versions, except for the extended-release prednisone tablet. Prednisone extended-release tablet is only available as the brand-name drug Rayos. Brand-name drugs are more expensive than generic versions. You and your doctor will decide which form is best for you, so talk with them about your concerns over paying for your medication. That said, methylprednisolone and prednisone are also both covered by most health insurance plans.
The brand-name drugs may require prior authorization from your doctor. In its guidelines, it recommends that doctors limit corticosteroids to the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Talk with your doctor about these two drugs as well as other RA treatment options to get an idea of the choices that will work best for you.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. The use of low dose steroids for rheumatoid arthritis is very common. With the U. Jackson ruling this summer, individual states have been granted increased power to restrict or ban abortions…. Ivermectin is a medication that treats parasitic infections. By slowing down disease progression, methotrexate…. Rheumatoid arthritis has several telltale symptoms.
View rheumatoid arthritis pictures showing how it affects the body, and learn more about its…. Arthritis in the fingers and knuckles can be painful and may ultimately lead to a loss of function. View pictures and discover eight symptoms, such as…. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in the cell walls of marine life. This includes brown algae and seaweed, sea urchin, and sea cucumbers.
A visit to your rheumatologist is a great time to get answers about your RA, but are you asking the right questions? Here are 10 to ask. How Well Do You Sleep? Rheumatoid Arthritis. Methylprednisolone vs. Drug features Side effects Drug interactions Warnings RA medications Cost and availability Summary Methylprednisolone and prednisone can reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Side effects. Drug interactions. Use with other medical conditions. Recommended RA treatments. Cost and availability. How we vetted this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Sep 20, By University of Illinois-Chicago. Share this article. What to Know When Taking Prednisone. Can Prednisone Cause Withdrawal Symptoms? Steroids for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Read this next. Should I Avoid Alcohol?
Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Steroids for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis The use of low dose steroids for rheumatoid arthritis is very common. Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD. Pictures and Symptoms of Arthritis in the Fingers Arthritis in the fingers and knuckles can be painful and may ultimately lead to a loss of function.
Does Fucoidan Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis? Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.
Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) and prednisone are corticosteroids used for severe or incapacitating allergic conditions, dermatologic diseases. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are corticosteroids that can have a significant impact on the body. They are effective medications for reducing inflammation. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are glucocorticoids used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatic arthritis. Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids. Current guidelines don't recommend their use for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The prednisolone plasma clearance based on the transcortin free-drug is similar to methylprednisolone total plasma clearance. However, the corrected volume of. Corticosteroids are sometimes referred to as steroids. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. It works by blocking the production of inflammatory and immune response markers. Corticosteroids should be used with caution in people with heart failure, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. There are many ways to compare methylprednisolone and prednisone due to their wide range of uses. Patients who depend on injectable insulin or other antidiabetic drugs for blood sugar control may have to increase their dosage of antidiabetic agents while on steroids. Glucocorticoids are known to cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which may lead to sodium and fluid retention, high blood pressure, and, in some cases, congestive heart failure.Methylprednisolone generic of Medrol and prednisone generic of Rayos are corticosteroid medications used to treat various diseases and disorders. Corticosteroids are sometimes referred to as steroids. However, they should not be confused with anabolic steroids. When administered in higher doses than the body would normally produce on its own, corticosteroids work through various pathways to block certain immune and inflammatory markers, such as leukotrienes, cytokines, prostaglandins, kinins, and histamines.
This mechanism of action allows these drugs to be effective for treating certain respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, and other inflammatory conditions. While methylprednisolone and prednisone may be used to treat the same disorders, there are some differences between the two.
Methylprednisolone is a prescription medication used to treat different diseases and disorders, including asthma, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergic reactions. Methylprednisolone is a prednisolone derivative, and its mechanism of action makes it useful in a wide variety of inflammatory and immune disorders. Methylprednisolone crosses the cellular membrane and binds to specific receptors, which blocks the production of inflammatory proteins. Cytokines, leukotrienes, and other immune response cells and proteins play a key role in the inflammatory process.
Methylprednisolone is effective as both an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent. Methylprednisolone is available as a 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, and 32 mg oral tablet. The brand name of methylprednisolone tablets is Medrol. Methylprednisolone is also available as a solution that can be given as an intravenous IV , intramuscular IM , or intra-articular IA injection.
Solu-Medrol is the brand name of methylprednisolone succinate that is given as an IV injection, while Depo-Medrol is the brand name of methylprednisolone acetate that is given as an IM or intra-articular injection. Methylprednisolone may be prescribed to infants, children, and adults. Prednisone is a prescription medication that is also used to treat a variety of inflammatory and immune disorders.
Prednisone is a cortisone derivative and must be metabolized by the liver into its active form, prednisolone , in order to cross the cellular membrane. Once it crosses the cellular membrane, prednisolone works similarly to methylprednisolone and other corticosteroids. It works by blocking the production of inflammatory and immune response markers. Generic prednisone is available as a 1 mg, 2. The brand names of regular prednisone tablets, including Deltasone and Sterapred, have been discontinued in the U.
Rayos is the brand name of prednisone delayed-release tablets, which come in strengths of 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg. Prednisone may be prescribed to infants, children, and adults. Depo-Medrol Rayos delayed-release tablets What form s does the drug come in? Oral tablet. Solution for injection Oral tablet.
Oral solution What is the standard dosage? Initial dosage of 4 to 48 mg dosage adjustments based on treatment response and diagnosis Initial dosage of 5 to 60 mg with dosage adjustments based on treatment response and diagnosis How long is the typical treatment? Six days up to several weeks or longer depending on the diagnosis Five days up to several weeks or longer depending on the diagnosis Who typically uses the medication? Infants, children, and adults Infants, children, and adults Conditions treated by methylprednisolone and prednisone Corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone and prednisone, are one of the most commonly prescribed types of drugs that can be used to treat numerous conditions due to their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone can be used for many of the same conditions, including rheumatic disorders rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondylitis, and bursitis and allergic conditions acute allergic rhinitis, contact dermatitis, and drug sensitivity reactions.
In addition, they can also be used to treat respiratory problems, such as acute flares of bronchial asthma. Other conditions that can be treated with methylprednisolone or prednisone include endocrine, collagen, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and ophthalmic disorders. The guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology reinforce the use of the disease-modifying antirheumatic drug DMARD methotrexate as a first-line agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
They also recommend reserving the use of corticosteroids to alleviate pain and inflammation only when necessary. The short-term use of corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone and prednisone, may be recommended in some patients who are starting treatment with a DMARD. Inhaled corticosteroids, such as fluticasone, budesonide, and mometasone, are often recommended to help control and manage asthma symptoms.
Inhaled corticosteroids are different from systemic corticosteroids like methylprednisolone and prednisone and are usually prescribed with other inhaled medications, such as long-acting beta-agonists. However, for acute exacerbations or worsened symptoms of asthma, a short course of systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the airways. For example, a healthcare provider may prescribe 40 to 50 mg of prednisone daily for five to seven days. Acute exacerbations, also known as episodes or relapses, can occur in people with multiple sclerosis.
Acute symptoms can peak over one to two weeks and negatively affect quality of life. A short-term course of high-dose corticosteroids is the first-line treatment for relapses. A healthcare provider may recommend a high dose of IV methylprednisolone followed by a tapered-dose regimen of oral prednisone. Flare-ups can cause diarrhea and persistent abdominal pain. Treatments for IBD may include aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, and corticosteroids.
A short-term course of corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone or prednisone, may help alleviate IBD symptoms quickly but should only be used short-term. Some studies have found that systemic corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone, are associated with a lower risk of death with COVID Compared with placebo, systemic corticosteroids were associated with a lower day all-cause mortality.
The following table, while extensive, may not list every use of these two medications. Please consult with your healthcare provider for more information on indications of use. There are many ways to compare methylprednisolone and prednisone due to their wide range of uses.
However, treatment with corticosteroids is limited to short-term use in inflammatory diseases, especially for severe and acute worsening of inflammation. In terms of potency, methylprednisolone is slightly stronger than prednisone. When comparing doses of methylprednisolone and prednisone, 4 mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisone. However, when doses are adjusted and monitored for treatment responses, both drugs can be similarly effective.
One corticosteroid may be preferred over another, depending on the condition being treated. Unlike prednisone, methylprednisolone is available as an injection. With an injection, methylprednisolone can be administered in a precise dose and a controlled manner. For example, methylprednisolone can be administered directly into an affected joint as an intra-articular injection in people with arthritis.
One study found that injections of methylprednisolone may help relieve knee osteoarthritis for up to 24 weeks. While methylprednisolone injections may be better for joint pain relief, prednisone may be preferred for other conditions.
One study compared the effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone to that of oral prednisone for acute asthma exacerbations in children. Two treatment groups were randomized to receive either 30 mg of intravenous methylprednisolone or 30 mg of oral prednisone.
Both groups received albuterol, and researchers evaluated symptomatic relief, peak expiratory flow PEF , and pulse oximetry readings. Readings were taken for each group at two, four, and six hours after beginning treatment. There were no clinically or statistically significant differences at each interval between the two groups. However, researchers concluded that oral prednisone might be a better choice due to lower costs and a less traumatic administration.
Treatment with corticosteroids should always be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider. As with other corticosteroids, treatment with methylprednisolone and prednisone should be limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects. Methylprednisolone is a generic medication that is typically covered by commercial insurance plans and Medicare. With a methylprednisolone coupon from SingleCare, you may be able to get methylprednisolone at a discounted price. Prednisone is also a generic medication typically covered by commercial insurance plans and Medicare.
It is important to note that for certain disease states, corticosteroids may not be covered under Medicare prescription drug benefits but may be covered under Medicare Part B. Your pharmacist can provide more information on coverage. The cost of the medication may also vary depending on the pharmacy location and dosage prescribed.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone are chemically similar. They both fall under the glucocorticoid category of corticosteroids and share the same potential side effects , which can affect various systems of the body. Severe side effects are typically associated with long-term treatment and high doses. Glucocorticoids are known to cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which may lead to sodium and fluid retention, high blood pressure, and, in some cases, congestive heart failure.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone may also lead to myopathy, or muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. Myopathy usually occurs in the legs and arms but is often reversible after discontinuing the steroid. Glucocorticoids are known to affect the gastrointestinal system and may cause nausea, vomiting, or abdominal bloating. More serious gastrointestinal side effects include inflammation of the stomach lining gastritis , stomach ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Steroids may slow the healing of wounds.
The immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids can lead to an increased risk of bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infections, especially with long-term treatment. Infections can range from mild to life-threatening, and the risk of infections may be greater in older people and people taking other immunosuppressants.
Prolonged use of methylprednisolone and prednisone may slow the growth of children. The use of corticosteroids should be limited to as short a duration as possible to achieve remission of symptoms. Patients on long-term steroid therapy may be up to four times more likely to develop diabetes. Patients who depend on injectable insulin or other antidiabetic drugs for blood sugar control may have to increase their dosage of antidiabetic agents while on steroids.
It is not uncommon for well-controlled diabetics to see a rise in their blood sugar even on a short-term course of steroids. Discontinuing steroid treatment may then lead to withdrawal and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Steroids like methylprednisolone and prednisone may cause psychiatric side effects, such as depression, mood swings, insomnia, and even psychosis.
The risk of these side effects is greater in people on long-term steroid treatment and children. These side effects may occur during the first week of steroid treatment but usually resolve after stopping treatment.
The following table is not intended to be a comprehensive list of side effects.
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