What is methylprednisolone?
Methylprednisolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Methylprednisolone prevents the
release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin
conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.
Methylprednisolone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methylprednisolone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, or if you have
a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an
infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you
recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had
within the past several weeks.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take methylprednisolone:
-
liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
-
kidney disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a history of malaria;
-
tuberculosis;
-
osteoporosis;
-
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
-
glaucoma or cataracts;
-
herpes infection of the eyes;
-
stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
-
depression or mental illness;
-
congestive heart failure; or
-
high blood pressure
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take methylprednisolone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Methylprednisolone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not
growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
How should I take methylprednisolone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness,
fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such
situation that affects you.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using methylprednisolone.
Do not stop using methylprednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in
case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should
know that you are taking steroid medication.
Store methylprednisolone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of methylprednisolone?
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for
instructions.
Where can I get more information about methylprednisolone?
Your pharmacist has information about methylprednisolone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of methylprednisolone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
problems with your vision;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
-
severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
-
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
-
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
-
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme
thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
-
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
-
acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
-
slow wound healing;
-
increased sweating;
-
headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
-
nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or
-
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in
your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about methylprednisolone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, or if you have
a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Before taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and
about all other medicines you are using.
There are many other diseases that can be
affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious
illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any
such situation that affects you during treatment.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection
or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or
infection you have had within the past several weeks.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking methylprednisolone. Vaccines may not
work as well while you are taking a steroid.
Do not stop using methylprednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in
case of emergency.
What should I avoid while taking methylprednisolone?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with methylprednisolone. Vaccines
may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking methylprednisolone.
What other drugs will affect methylprednisolone?
There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Below
is only a partial list of these medicines:
-
aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
-
seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
methylprednisolone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of methylprednisolone?
