MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 25, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Medications and Drugs

Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

GENERIC NAME: methylprednisolone

BRAND NAME: Medrol, Depo-Medrol

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Methylprednisolone is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are naturally-occurring chemicals produced by the adrenal glands located adjacent to the kidneys. Corticosteroids affect metabolism in various ways and modify the immune system. Corticosteroids also block inflammation and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory diseases affecting many organs.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 mg. Injection: 20, 40, and 80 mg/ml.

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 20° and 25°C (68-77°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Methylprednisolone is used to achieve prompt suppression of inflammation. Examples of inflammatory conditions for which methylprednisolone is used include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Severe allergic conditions that fail conventional treatment also may respond to methylprednisolone. Examples include bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, drug-induced dermatitis, and contact and atopic dermatitis. Chronic skin conditions treated with methylprednisolone include dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus, severe psoriasis and severe seborrheic dermatitis. Chronic allergic and inflammatory conditions of the uvea, iris, conjunctiva and optic nerves of the eyes also are treated with methylprednisolone.

DOSING: Dosage requirements of corticosteroids vary among individuals and the diseases being treated. In general, the lowest effective dose is used. The initial oral dose is 4-48 mg daily depending on the disease. The initial dose should be adjusted based on response. Corticosteroids given in multiple doses throughout the day are more effective but also more toxic than the same total daily dose given once daily, or every other day. Methylprednisolone should be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Troleandomycin (TAO), an infrequently used macrolide antibiotic, reduces the liver's ability to metabolize methylprednisolone (and possibly other corticosteroids). This interaction can result in higher blood levels of methylprednisolone and a higher probability of side effects. Erythromycin and clarithromycin (Biaxin) are likely to share this interaction, and ketoconazole (Nizoral) also inhibits the metabolism of methylprednisolone. Estrogens, including birth control pills, can increase the effect of corticosteroids by 50% by mechanisms that are not completely understood. For all of the above interactions, the dose of methylprednisolone may need to be lowered. Cyclosporin reduces the metabolism of methylprednisolone while methylprednisolone reduces the metabolism of cyclosporin. When given together, the dose of both drugs may need to be reduced to avoid increased side effects.

Methylprednisolone may increase or decrease the effect of blood thinners [for example, warfarin (Coumadin)]. Blood clotting should be monitored and therapy adjusted in order to achieve the desired level of blood thinning (anti-coagulation).

Phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) may increase the metabolism of methylprednisolone and other corticosteroids, resulting in lower blood levels and reduced effects. Therefore, the dose of methylprednisolone may need to be increased if treatment with phenobarbital is begun.

PREGNANCY: Methylprednisolone has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • prednisone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred - Defines the medication prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred) a drug used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interaction, and side effects.
  • Epidural Steroid Injection - Read about epidural steroid injection, a common procedure to treat spinal nerve irritation and back pain.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index


Arthritis

Get the latest treatment options


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

methylprednisolone, Medrol, Depo-Medrol

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that travels from the bottom of the brain down your back. There are 31 pairs of nerves that leave the spinal cord and go to your arms, legs, chest and abdomen. These nerves allow your brain to give commands to your muscles and cause movements of your arms and legs. The nerves that control your arms exit from the upper portion of the spinal cord, while the nerves to your legs exit from the lower portion of the spinal cord. The nerves also control the function of your organs including your heart, lungs, bowels, and bladder. For example, signals from the spinal cord control how fast your heart beats and your rate of breathing.

Other nerves travel from your arms and legs back to the spinal cord. These nerves bring back information from your body to your brain including the senses of touch, pain, temperature, and position. The spinal cord runs through the spinal canal. This canal i...

Read the Spinal Cord Injury article »










Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.