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Medrol drug, also known as methylprednisolone, is a steroid with anti-inflammatory effects and is indicated in various inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, allergies,... So Medrol drug What is the drug and how does it work?
1. Uses of Medrol
What is Medrol? Medrol, also known as methylprednisolone, is a steroid with anti-inflammatory effects and is indicated in various inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, allergies, and endocrine disorders. secretions, ulcerative colitis or inflammatory conditions of the eyes, skin, lungs, blood vessels and nerves.
In addition, some other effects of the drug are not listed on the approved drug label, but in some cases the doctor may prescribe the use of Medrol. Therefore, before taking the medicine, consult your doctor.
2. How to use Medrol
What does Medrol do? Medrol is available as a tablet with a strength of 4mg or 16mg of methylprednisolone. Dosage will depend on the age and medical condition of the patient. The starting dose of Medrol may vary from 4-48mg/day depending on the specific disease to be treated such as:
Cerebral edema: 200-1000mg/day Multiple sclerosis: 200mg/day Organ transplant: 7mg/day kg/day Patients can take the drug with or without food. However, to reduce stomach irritation you can take it with food and need to take the whole tablet with a full glass of water. Use Medrol exactly as directed by your doctor, do not use more, smaller or longer than prescribed. Use Medrol regularly to get the most benefit from it and you can stop taking it if any new symptoms appear or the condition does not improve after 7 days. Absolutely do not abuse the drug for too long for a long time. This does not make the patient's condition better, but also increases the risk of unwanted effects.
3. Undesirable effects when using Medrol
Medrol medicine can cause some unwanted side effects on the endocrine system, immune system, nervous system, mental, eye, heart, hepatobiliary, digestive, musculoskeletal, metabolic and nutritional, kidney and urinary. Common symptoms can include:
Swollen hands and feet Dizziness, lightheadedness Changes in menstrual cycle Headaches Pain or weakness Abdominal discomfort Bloating Some serious side effects such as:
Shortness of breath with mild exertion Rapid weight gain Swelling Thin skin, slow healing of wounds Blurred vision, eye pain, tunnel vision, rainbow halos around the eyes Erratic behavior, thinking and personality changes , severe depression Unusual pain in the arms or legs, back Passing out blood or tarry stools, vomiting blood or liquid the color of coffee grounds , coughing up blood Convulsions Hypokalemia with rat symptoms leg cramps, constipation, palpitations, arrhythmia, numbness, tingling, thirst, and increased urination. Before prescribing medication, doctors always consider the benefits and effectiveness of Medrol. However, when taking Medrol can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when unusual symptoms appear, especially when a severe allergic reaction occurs with accompanying signs such as severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, rash, swelling or itching of the face or neck area throat, tongue,... In this case, the patient should immediately notify the doctor or nurse for immediate medical intervention.
4. Some notes when using Medrol
Some notes when using Medrol include:
Report a history of allergy to Medrol or any other allergies. Medrol may contain ingredients that don't work and could cause an allergic reaction or other serious problems. Report any medications you are taking including prescription and nonprescription drugs, herbs and supplements, foods, dyes or preservatives. Medrol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. Medrol is not recommended for use in children, because high doses of Medrol can affect the development of young children. If you use it, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions. If a patient is on long-term treatment with Medrol and wants to stop, the dose must be gradually reduced and the drug should not be stopped suddenly. Patients can be treated alternately, i.e. double the usual daily dose of corticosteroids in the morning the other day. The aim of this treatment is to help patients take long-term pharmacological doses with minimal adverse effects. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and breast-feeding should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Because there are currently not enough human studies on the adverse effects of Medrol in pregnant women. Neonates whose mothers are taking significant doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be evaluated and monitored for signs of adrenal insufficiency. Corticosteroids can be excreted in breast milk, so you should only use them before weighing the risk to your baby. Medrol should be used with caution in patients with fungal infections, ocular herpesvirus infections, ulcerative colitis, stomach or appendicitis, psychiatric disorders or depression, liver disease especially cirrhosis, osteoporosis. , high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis. In addition, corticosteroids can weaken the immune system so that some signs of infection go away or make the infection worse than it used to be. Therefore, please report any infection problems that the patient has had in the past. During treatment with Medrol, it is not allowed to give live attenuated vaccines, because during this time the vaccine may not achieve the expected protective effect. Medrol may affect the test results, so it is important to inform your doctor before performing any tests, especially blood and urine tests. Medrol should not be used with grapefruit juice, but should be taken with milk or other food to reduce side effects on the stomach. Follow a low salt, high protein and potassium diet If you forget to take a dose of Medrol, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking or injecting the medicine as scheduled. Do not use more drug than prescribed treatment. Medrol overdose or ingestion can cause serious symptoms such as thinning of the skin, changes in the distribution of body fat such as the neck, back, waist, face, etc., easy bruising, increased acne or facial hair growth, menstrual disorders, decreased sex drive.
5. Medrol drug interactions
Drug interactions can decrease the effectiveness of Medrol, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, prescription drugs, and herbal products. Do not start, stop or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent.
Some drugs that can interact with Medrol include:
Isoniazid Rifampicin Carbamazepine Phenobarbital Phenytoin Neuromuscular Blockers Cholinesterase Inhibitors Antidiabetic Drugs Aprepitant Fosaprepitant Itraconazole Ketoconazole Aminogluthimid Diltiazem Ethinylestradiol/norethindronomycin Cyclospormid High-dose aspirin Potassium-lowering drugs HIV protease inhibitors
6. How to store Medrol
Store Medrol at room temperature, away from light and away from moisture. Do not store Medrol in a humid place or in the freezer and keep away from heat and open flames. Different medicines will have different storage methods, so read the Medrol storage instructions carefully on the packaging, or ask your pharmacist. Keep Medrol out of the reach of children and family pets. When the medicine has expired or is damaged and cannot be used anymore, dispose of it and dispose of it properly. Do not arbitrarily dispose of Medrol into an environment such as a water pipe or toilet unless requested to do so. Consult with your waste disposal company or pharmacist on how to safely dispose of Medrol to help protect the environment.
In summary, Medrol is an anti-inflammatory steroid and is indicated in various inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, allergies,... However, Medrol can cause some unwanted effects and drug interactions, so tell your doctor what medicines you are taking to reduce the risk of unwanted effects and at the same time increase the effectiveness of the treatment process. treat.
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FAQs
What is Medrol and how does it work? ›
Methylprednisolone (Medrol) works by calming down your body's immune response, which can help get rid of certain medical problems that are caused by a sensitive immune system. In addition, methylprednisolone (Medrol) lowers the amount of inflammatory chemicals that cause pain, redness, itching, and swelling.
What does Medrol do for the body? ›It decreases your immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling, pain, and allergic-type reactions. This medication is a corticosteroid hormone. Methylprednisolone may also be used with other medications in hormone disorders.
What is Medrol most common use? ›Methylprednisolone is a medicine used to relieve symptoms of many conditions that cause inflammation, including certain types of arthritis; allergies; cancer; asthma; and skin, blood, eye, kidney, thyroid, and intestinal disorders. This medicine is a corticosteroid.
Why do doctors prescribe Medrol? ›It is used to treat a number of different conditions, such as inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, blood or bone marrow problems, eye or vision problems, lupus, skin conditions, kidney problems, ulcerative colitis, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis.
What not to do while taking Medrol? ›Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as methylPREDNISolone. You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with methylPREDNISolone.
How quickly does Medrol start working? ›Methylprednisolone works quickly, and you can expect to get relief from inflammation symptoms in 1-4 days. Some people notice an improvement within hours of taking a single dose. Your doctor may adjust the starting dose based on your response and side effects.
How long does Medrol reduce inflammation? ›6. Response and effectiveness. The onset of effect is one hour for the IV injection and up to one week when given into a joint. The effects of methylprednisolone, when given directly into a joint, last for one to five weeks.
How does Medrol make you feel? ›joint or muscle pain. skin irritation. weight loss. low blood pressure, which may make you feel dizzy or faint.
Is Medrol a safe steroid? ›Methylprednisolone (Medrol) can cause changes in your fluids and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, and calcium). This can result in high blood pressure, swelling, and kidney problems. In addition, some studies suggest that methylprednisolone (Medrol) can damage the heart if used after a recent heart attack.
Is Medrol a muscle relaxer? ›Methylprednisolone is a steroid which is effective for severe back pain, including back pain that radiates down the leg. Generally, methylpredisolone is prescribed in a short "burst" (a one or two week course), and then replaced by a muscle relaxant for longer-term care.
What are the serious side effects of Medrol? ›
- Black, tarry stools.
- blindness.
- bloating.
- bloody vomit.
- blurred vision.
- bone pain.
- change in vision.
- chest pain.
Meta-analysis showed that compared with no glucocorticoids, methylprednisolone in treatment of COVID-19 patients was associated with reduced short-term mortality (RR 0.73; 95% CI 0.60–0.89), less need for ICU admission (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.66–0.91) and mechanical ventilation (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.57–0.84), increased 28-day ...
Can you take all 6 Medrol pills at once? ›All six (6) tablets may be taken immediately as a single dose, or may be divided into two or three doses and taken at intervals between the time you receive the medicine and your regular bedtime.
What foods to avoid on Medrol? ›Prednisone has a tendency to raise the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which can cause increased body fat or diabetes in some people. It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods.
Does Medrol affect sleep? ›Corticosteroids like dexamethasone
Certain medications can also mimic cortisol in your body. This can lead to restlessness and trouble sleeping. Corticosteroid medications, like dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, (Medrol) are key examples. In most cases, insomnia from corticosteroids should be short-lived.
by Drugs.com
After taking a dose of Methylprednisolone tablet from a Medrol Dosepak it should be out of your system after approximately 13 to 20 hours. Methylprednisolone tablets have an elimination half-life of approximately 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours.
Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medication with food. If you are taking this medication once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take it more often than directed.
Does Medrol reduce inflammation? ›It is often used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma.
Which is better Medrol or prednisone? ›Methylprednisolone is stronger than prednisone: prednisone is four times as potent as cortisol, a steroid hormone that is present in the body. methylprednisolone is five times as potent as cortisol.
What drugs should not be taken with steroids? ›Some key drugs that interact with steroids include anticoagulants (such as warfarin), drugs for blood pressure, antiepileptics, antidiabetic drugs, antifungal drugs, bronchodilators (such as salbutamol) and diuretics.
Will 6 days of methylprednisolone make you gain weight? ›
Weight gain is a common side effect for people taking methylprednisolone. Weight gain is more commonly seen with high doses, longer use, or both. Steroids, such as methylprednisolone, can reduce your body's ability to break down food into a usable energy. This can result in an increased appetite and weight gain.
Can you stop medrol suddenly? ›Do not cut back or stop the medicine without your doctor's approval. After you stop taking steroids, your body may be slow in making the extra steroids that you need. Your doctor may want to do a simple blood test to see how your body is doing. If needed, they will have you continue or restart your steroid medicine.
Is Medrol hard on the stomach? ›The most common side effects of methylprednisolone include: An upset stomach. Stomach irritation. Diarrhea4.
Does Medrol make you lose weight? ›No. Weight loss was not reported as a side effect in studies of methylprednisolone.
Can I drive after taking Medrol? ›Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding.
Can Medrol affect your heart? ›As reported in animal studies, the high-dose methylprednisolone can directly affect the cardiac myocyte by altering cardiovascular sensitivity to catecholamines. In humans, corticosteroids can influence sudden electrolyte shifts, leading to cardiac arrhythmias, such as bradycardia.
How often can you get a Medrol shot? ›The intramuscular dosage will vary with the condition being treated. When employed as a temporary substitute for oral therapy, a single injection during each 24-hour period of a dose of the suspension equal to the total daily oral dose of MEDROL® Tablets (methylprednisolone tablets, USP) is usually sufficient.
What does Medrol do for back pain? ›Steroids can reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves. They are taken orally as a Medrol dose pack tapered over a five-day period or by an injection directly into the pain source (see epidural steroid injections and facet injections). Steroids may provide immediate pain relief within 24-hours.
Is Medrol hard on the liver? ›High-dose methylprednisolone therapy can induce liver injury. Methylprednisolone discontinuation is necessary for normalisation of liver function tests. Methylprednisolone-induced liver injury could be related to a transient immune rebound.
What to avoid while taking methylprednisolone? ›- Blood thinners. Blood thinners are used to prevent and treat blood clots. ...
- NSAIDs. ...
- Diabetes medications. ...
- Ketoconazole. ...
- Phenytoin and phenobarbital. ...
- Cyclosporine and tacrolimus. ...
- Paxlovid. ...
- Certain live vaccines.
What is Medrol 4MG used for? ›
A: MEDROL 4MG TABLET is a corticosteroid medicine used to treat adrenal insufficiency. It can also be used to treat drug induced hypersensitivity reactions, allergic reactions and various inflammatory auto-immune disease conditions affecting the skin, collagen, bones and joints, brain, gut, eyes etc.
Will Medrol help a cough? ›I can finally breathe and fewer coughing attacks. Worked in about an hour." Medrol Dosepak (methylprednisolone) "Even though this medication helps immensely when my breathing/asthma is restricted beyond control I wish I never had to take it."
Why do steroids make you feel better? ›Steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation). This can help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and eczema. Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system, which is the body's natural defence against illness and infection.
Can you stop a Medrol pack after 2 days? ›Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
What is Medrol 4 mg oral tablet therapy pack? ›Methylprednisolone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/kidney/intestinal/lung diseases, and immune system disorders.
Should you drink lots of water when taking prednisone? ›Fluid retention can cause weight gain but as steroids are reduced, fluids will usually reduce as well, along with some of the weight gain. Drinking plenty of water and exercising can help with fluid retention.
What should you not do while on steroids? ›Steroids may increase your risk of developing ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if you take these medications along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If at all possible, don't combine steroids with NSAIDs.
Can you have coffee while on steroids? ›Things to avoid (or cut back on) while taking prednisone include: Caffeine: Caffeine can add to the unwanted stimulant effects of prednisone. Combining caffeine with steroids can keep you awake at night or make you feel jittery and anxious.
Do steroids make you pee at night? ›Since steroids cause your body to retain more water, it's also common to experience urinary frequency, says Kaplan. Just knowing that this can potentially happen — and that it will soon pass — can help.
How do you sleep while taking steroids? ›If a person experiences insomnia while taking prednisone, taking the medication in the morning may help minimize the disruption to the sleep-wake cycle. Alternatively, a doctor may suggest splitting the dose between morning and night.
Can you take Medrol in the morning? ›
The morning is best as it mimics the timing of your body's own production of cortisone. Taking your dose of prednisone too late in the evening may cause difficulty sleeping.
Can Medrol cause anxiety? ›Yes! Taking high doses of prednisone will increase the body's overall stimulation level, like how high levels of stress can increase circulating cortisol levels. People who aren't anxious or hyperstimulated often notice increased stimulation, like they have ingested caffeine when taking prednisone.
Is Medrol a harmful steroid? ›Methylprednisolone (Medrol) can cause changes in your fluids and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, and calcium). This can result in high blood pressure, swelling, and kidney problems. In addition, some studies suggest that methylprednisolone (Medrol) can damage the heart if used after a recent heart attack.
What foods should I avoid while taking methylprednisolone? ›methylPREDNISolone food
Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as methylPREDNISolone. You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with methylPREDNISolone.
Methylprednisolone and prednisone are both corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the body and relieve related symptoms, such as body pain, swelling, and stiffness. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Can you lay down after taking Medrol? ›Taking methylprednisolone sodium succinate with food or milk is generally enough to prevent nausea and heartburn. If possible, take the medication when you can be upright (not lying down) for a few hours after the dose.
Does Medrol make you not sleep? ›Corticosteroids like dexamethasone
Certain medications can also mimic cortisol in your body. This can lead to restlessness and trouble sleeping. Corticosteroid medications, like dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, (Medrol) are key examples. In most cases, insomnia from corticosteroids should be short-lived.
Do not cut back or stop the medicine without your doctor's approval. After you stop taking steroids, your body may be slow in making the extra steroids that you need. Your doctor may want to do a simple blood test to see how your body is doing. If needed, they will have you continue or restart your steroid medicine.
Does Medrol make you gain weight? ›Weight gain is a common side effect for people taking methylprednisolone. Weight gain is more commonly seen with high doses, longer use, or both. Steroids, such as methylprednisolone, can reduce your body's ability to break down food into a usable energy. This can result in an increased appetite and weight gain.
How often can you take Medrol? ›Medrol Dosepak is sometimes taken every other day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Your dose 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.