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Have you considered clinical trials? Access the latest treatments and medications. unavailable elsewhere - entirely free of charge. We make it easy to take part. What is methylprednisolone (Medrol)?Methylprednisolone belongs to the corticosteroid group of medicines. Corticosteroids are synthetic steroids that are the same as cortisol. They are used to provide relief from inflammation in different parts of the body. The drug was first approved by the FDA in 1957.¹ It is also available as Medrol, a brand-name version. Generic methylprednisolone comes in the following forms:
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription. What is methylprednisolone used to treat?Methylprednisolone is used to treat inflammatory conditions such as:
It is also used to treat:
How do you take methylprednisolone?Take methylprednisolone as instructed by your doctor. Do not adjust the dosage on your own. Dosage for this medicine depends on the type and severity of your medical condition. Typical dosage recommendations² for methylprednisolone oral tablets are as follows:
Keep in mind that these are average dosage recommendations. This is just a guide and you should always follow your doctor’s prescription. Seeing resultsYou may notice the effects of this drug quickly. The peak effect can be seen in one hour after an intravenous dose, and after two hours when taken orally. Potential side effects of methylprednisoloneMethylprednisolone has a long list of side effects. These can be mild and go away on their own. The drug may also cause more serious side effects that require medical attention. Common side effects that usually ease without medical intervention include:
Call your doctor if these side effects continue or worsen. Serious side effects include:
Call your doctor immediately if you experience these side effects. You may need urgent medical assistance. Long-term use of methylprednisoloneUsing methylprednisolone for a long time may increase your risk of developing the following conditions:
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of long-term methylprednisolone use. Missed dosesTake a missed dose as soon as possible, but don’t take two at once. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and resume your regular dosage schedule. OverdosesIf you or someone you know has taken an overdose of methylprednisolone, seek emergency medical help right away. In most cases, an overdose of methylprednisolone is not expected to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, you may experience:
What to discuss with your doctor before taking methylprednisoloneBefore you start taking methylprednisolone, discuss these points with your doctor:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or if you are currently breastfeeding. Stopping methylprednisoloneDo not suddenly stop using methylprednisolone. If you are using methylprednisolone for a few weeks and you suddenly stop, your adrenal glands may stop working. Adrenal glands make your body’s natural hormones. Suddenly stopping the use of methylprednisolone can also cause withdrawal symptoms, including:
Consult your doctor before stopping your treatment. They may prescribe you a lower dosage and gradually decrease it. Gradually tapering off the medication like this may help prevent withdrawal effects. Methylprednisolone and pregnancyMethylprednisolone is an FDA pregnancy category C³ medication. This means animal studies have suggested the drug can cause harm to an unborn fetus, but there are insufficient human studies. The drug may be used when the advantages outweigh the potential dangers. Methylprednisolone is known to pass into breast milk, but it is unlikely to cause harm to a nursing infant. Despite this, using this medication when breastfeeding is not recommended. Interactions with other drugsSome medicines interact with methylprednisolone, including:
Continue taking a low dose of aspirin for heart problems or stroke prevention if you have been prescribed this by your doctor. Unless your doctor advises you to, do not have any live attenuated vaccinations⁴ when taking this medication. Since methylprednisolone lowers your immune system, the vaccine might not work properly. In rare cases, this may give you the infection the vaccine should protect you from. Examples of these live vaccines include:
Allergy informationThis medication is not recommended for patients who are allergic to methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Rayos or Prednisone Intensol), or their ingredients. Read the product label or ask your pharmacist for a complete list of ingredients. Though rare, methylprednisolone can cause allergic reactions with symptoms like hives, rashes, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the lips, face, or throat. Speak to a medical professional if you experience an allergic reaction to this medicine. Allergic reactions require immediate medical attention. Your doctor may prescribe you a different medicine to treat your condition. Tips and advice for taking methylprednisoloneFollow this advice to help you take methylprednisolone safely and effectively:
How long do steroids keep working after you stop taking them?It takes approximately 16.5 to 22 hours for Prednisone to be out of your system. The elimination half life of prednisone is around 3 to 4 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce the plasma levels by half. It usually takes around 5.5 x half-life for a drug to be completely eliminated from your system.
What happens when you stop taking Methylprednisolone?Do not stop taking methylprednisolone without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss.
What are the long term effects of taking Methylprednisolone?This medicine might cause thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) or slow growth in children if used for a long time. Tell your doctor if you have any bone pain or if you have an increased risk for osteoporosis.
How long should you wait between Methylprednisolone?Oral; IV (succinate): 40 to 60 mg daily for 5 to 14 days (Ref). Doses up to 60 mg every 6 hours have been used in critically ill patients, although outcome data are limited. Note: Dose is based on an equivalent dose of prednisone; optimal dose has not been established.
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