Methylprednisolone Injection

(meth il pred nis' oh lone)

Brand Name(s): A-Methapred^®, Depo-Medrol^®, Solu-Medrol^®; also available generically

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Methylprednisolone injection is used to treat severe allergic reactions. Methylprednisolone injection is used in the management of multiple sclerosis (a disease in which the nerves do not function properly), lupus (a disease in which the body attacks many of its own organs), gastrointestinal disease, and certain types of arthritis. Methylprednisolone injection is also used to treat certain conditions that affect the blood, skin, eyes, nervous system, thyroid, kidneys, and lungs. It is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). Methylprednisolone injection is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works to treat people with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It also works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Methylprednisolone injection is also sometimes used to treat nausea and vomiting from certain types of chemotherapy for cancer and to prevent organ transplant rejection. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Methylprednisolone injection comes as powder to be mixed with liquid to be injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) or intravenously (into a vein). It also comes as a suspension for injection to be injected intramuscularly, intra-articularly (into a joint), or intralesionally (into a lesion). Your personal dosing schedule will depend on your condition and on how you respond to treatment.

You may receive methylprednisolone injection in a hospital or medical facility, or you may be given the medication to use at home. If you will be using methylprednisolone injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to inject the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems using methylprednisolone injection.

Your doctor may change your dose of methylprednisolone injection during your treatment to be sure that you are always using the lowest dose that works for you. Your doctor may also need to change your dose if you experience unusual stress on your body such as surgery, illness, or infection. Tell your doctor if your symptoms improve or get worse or if you get sick or have any changes in your health during your treatment.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving methylprednisolone injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, any other medications, benzyl alcohol, or any of the ingredients in methylprednisolone injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving methylprednisolone injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• The following nonprescription products may interact with methylprednisolone: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start receiving methylprednisolone injection. Do not start any of these medications while receiving methylprednisolone injection without discussing with your healthcare provider.

• tell your doctor if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin or nails). Your doctor will probably tell you not to use methylprednisolone injection. Also, tell your doctor if you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood). Your doctor probably will not give you methylprednisolone intramuscularly, if you have ITP.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had tuberculosis (TB: a type of lung infection); cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye); glaucoma (an eye disease); Cushing's syndrome (condition where the body produces too much of the hormone cortisol); diabetes; high blood pressure; heart failure; a recent heart attack; emotional problems, depression or other types of mental illness; myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become weak); osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become weak and fragile and can break easily); seizures; ulcers; or liver, kidney, heart, intestinal, or thyroid disease. Also tell your doctor if you have any type of untreated bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection anywhere in your body or a herpes eye infection (a type of infection that causes a sore on the eyelid or eye surface).

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving methylprednisolone injection, call your doctor.

• do not have any vaccinations (shots to prevent diseases) without talking to your doctor.

• you should know that methylprednisolone injection may decrease your ability to fight infection and may prevent you from developing symptoms if you get an infection. Stay away from people who are sick and wash your hands often while you are using this medication. Be sure to avoid people who have chicken pox or measles. Call your doctor immediately if you think you may have been around someone who had chicken pox or measles.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Your doctor may instruct you to follow a low-salt or a diet high in potassium or calcium. Your doctor may also prescribe or recommend a calcium or potassium supplement. Follow these directions carefully.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Methylprednisolone injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• slowed healing of cuts and bruises
• acne
• thin, fragile, or dry skin
• red or purple blotches or lines under the skin
• skin depressions at the injection site
• increased body fat or movement to different areas of your body
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• inappropriate happiness
• extreme changes in mood changes in personality
• extreme tiredness
• depression
• increased sweating
• muscle weakness
• joint pain
• dizziness
• irregular or absent menstrual periods
• increased appetite
• hiccups

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
• seizures
• vision problems
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• shortness of breath
• sudden weight gain
• rash
• hives
• itching
• confusion
• abnormal skin patches in the mouth, nose, or throat
• numbness, burning, or tingling in the face, arms, legs, feet, or hands

Methylprednisolone injection may cause children to grow more slowly. Your child's doctor will watch your child's growth carefully while your child is using methylprednisolone injection. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

People who use methylprednisolone injection for a long time may develop glaucoma or cataracts. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using methylprednisolone injection and how often you should have your eyes examined during your treatment.

Methylprednisolone injection may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.

Methylprednisolone injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to methylprednisolone injection.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using methylprednisolone injection.

If you are having any skin tests such as allergy or tuberculosis tests, tell the doctor or technician that you are receiving methylprednisolone injection.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about methylprednisolone injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: June 20, 2024.