Methylprednisolone (meth-il-pred-NIS-oh-lone)

Treats inflammation, severe allergies, flare-ups of ongoing illnesses, and many other medical problems. May also be used to decrease some symptoms of cancer. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

Brand Name(s):

DEPO-Medrol, DEPO-Medrol Novaplus, PremierPro Rx SOLU-Medrol 125mg Vial, PremierPro Rx SOLU-Medrol 1GM Vial, PremierPro Rx SOLU-Medrol 40mg Vial, SOLU-Medrol, SOLU-Medrol 125mg Vial, SOLU-Medrol 1GM Vial, SOLU-Medrol 40mg Vial, SOLU-Medrol 500mg Vial, SOLU-Medrol Novaplus 125mg Vial, SOLU-Medrol Novaplus 40mg Vial

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may be given through a needle placed into one of your veins, as a shot into a muscle or joint, or as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor may give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how methylprednisolone medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Aminoglutethimide, amphotericin B, azithromycin, carbamazepine, cholestyramine, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, digoxin, erythromycin, isoniazid, ketoconazole, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, troleandomycin
  • Birth control pills (including estrogen)
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Diabetes medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal gland problems, cancer, cataracts, congestive heart failure, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, mental health problems, stomach or bowel problems (including ulcers, ulcerative colitis), myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, brain injury, or a recent heart attack. Tell your doctor if you have an infection (including herpes eye infection, tuberculosis, or threadworm), or if you have recently spent time in a tropical climate. Also tell your doctor if you have a recent exposure to chickenpox or measles.
• If this medicine is being injected into a joint, tell your doctor about any other problems you have had with that joint.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Adrenal gland problems
  • Increased risk of infection
  • Changes in vision
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Slow growth in children
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver problems
  • Bone problems (including osteoporosis)
  • Stomach or bowel perforation (tear or hole)
  • Increased risk for cancer (including Kaposi's sarcoma)
  • Muscle problems
  • Tumor lysis syndrome
• If you use this medicine for a long time, tell your doctor about any extra stress or anxiety in your life, including other health concerns and emotional stress. Your dose might need to be changed for a short time while you have extra stress.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision, eye pain, changes in vision
• Changes in how much or how often you urinate, increased hunger or thirst
• Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, round puffy face, tiredness, weight loss
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Joint pain, lower back, side, or stomach pain
• Mood swings, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps, sudden joint pain
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea
• Easy bruising
• Red, pink, purple, or brown flat spots or bumps on your skin
• Skin looks sunken or indented where the shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088