Indications:

Methylprednisolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. It 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.

Contraindications:

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Adverse reactions:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone: 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 methylprednisolone 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).

Interactions:

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.

Warnings:

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 medications, such as methylprednisolone, 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. 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 methylprednisolone, 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 medicine 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 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.

Form:

SOLUTION FOR INJECTION