Brand name: Medrol (Prednisolone)
Pronounced: PEE-dee-uh-pred
Generic name: Prednisolone sodium phosphate
Why is Medrol (Prednisolone) prescribed?
Medrol (Prednisolone), a steroid drug, is used to reduce inflammation and improve
symptoms in a variety of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis,
acute gouty arthritis, and severe cases of asthma. It may be given
to people to treat primary or secondary adrenal cortex insufficiency
(lack of or insufficient adrenal cortical hormone in the body). It
is also given to help treat the following disorders:
Blood disorders such as leukemia and various anemias
Certain cancers (along with other drugs)
Connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
Digestive tract diseases such as ulcerative colitis
Eye diseases of various kinds
Fluid retention due to nephrotic syndrome (a condition in which damage
to the kidneys causes a loss of protein in the urine)
High blood levels of calcium associated with cancer
Lung diseases such as tuberculosis
Severe allergic conditions such as drug-induced allergic reactions
Severe skin eruptions
Studies have shown that high doses of Medrol (Prednisolone) are effective in controlling
severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although they do not affect
the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease.
Most important fact about Medrol (Prednisolone)
Medrol (Prednisolone) decreases your resistance to infection. It may also mask
some of the signs and symptoms of an infection, which makes it difficult
for a doctor to diagnose the actual problem.
How should you take Medrol (Prednisolone) WITHOUT a prescriptions?
Medrol (Prednisolone) may cause stomach upset and should be taken with food. Take
Medrol (Prednisolone) exactly as prescribed.
If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule.
Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions Medrol (Prednisolone)
Store Medrol (Prednisolone) in a cool place, and keep the bottle tightly closed.
This medication may be refrigerated.
Medrol (Prednisolone) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Medrol (Prednisolone).
* Side effects may include:
Abnormal loss of bony tissue causing fragile bones, abnormal redness of the
face, backbone break that collapses the spinal column, bruising, cataracts,
convulsions, dizziness, excess growth of body or facial hair, feeling of
illness, fluid retention (edema), fracture of long bones, glaucoma (increased
eye pressure), headache, high blood pressure, hives, increased appetite,
increased sweating, loss of muscle mass, menstrual irregularities, mental
capacity changes, muscle disease, muscle weakness, nausea, peptic ulcer (stomach
ulcer with possible bleeding), protrusion of eyeball, psychotic disorders,
ruptured tendons, salt retention, slow growth in children, slow wound healing,
sugar diabetes, swelling of the abdomen, thinning of the skin, vertigo, weight
gain
Why should Medrol (Prednisolone) not be prescribed?
This drug should not be used for fungal infections within the body.
Avoid it if it gives you an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about Medrol (Prednisolone)
You should not be vaccinated against smallpox while being treated
with Medrol (Prednisolone). Avoid other immunizations as well, especially if you
are taking Medrol (Prednisolone) in high doses, because of the possible hazards
of nervous system complications and a lack of natural immune response.
Because Medrol (Prednisolone) reduces resistance to infection, people who have
never had measles or chickenpox--or been vaccinated against them--should
be careful to avoid exposure. These diseases can be severe, or even
fatal, in people with lowered resistance.
Likewise, an ordinary case of threadworm or other intestinal parasites
can grow into a grave emergency when the immune system is weak. Symptoms
of threadworm include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you
suspect an infection, call your doctor immediately.
If you are taking Medrol (Prednisolone) and are subjected to unusual stress, notify
your doctor. The drug reduces the function of your adrenal glands,
and they may be unable to cope. Your doctor may therefore increase
your dosage of this rapidly acting steroid before, during, and after
the stressful situation.
Prolonged use of steroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts
(a disorder under the envelope-like structure at the back of the eye
that causes the lens to become less transparent) or the eye disease
glaucoma, and may intensify additional eye infections due to fungi
or viruses.Average and high doses of Medrol (Prednisolone) may cause an increase in blood pressure, salt
and water retention, and an increased loss of potassium.
Your doctor may have you decrease your salt intake and increase your
potassium intake.The effects of Medrol (Prednisolone) may be intensified if you have an underactive thyroid or long-term
liver disease.
If you have ocular herpes simplex (painful blisters of the eye), you
should be careful using Medrol (Prednisolone) because of the possibility of corneal
perforation (puncture of the outer, transparent part of the eye).
The use of Medrol (Prednisolone) may cause mood swings, feelings of elation, insomnia,
personality changes, severe depression, or even severe mental disorders.
If you are being treated for a blood clotting factor deficiency, use
aspirin with caution when taking Medrol (Prednisolone). Do not use Medrol (Prednisolone) for
any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.
Your doctor will prescribe Medrol (Prednisolone) very cautiously if you have ulcerative
colitis (inflammation of the colon and rectum) where there is a possibility
of a puncture, abscess, or other infection; diverticulitis (inflammation
of a sac formed at weak points of the colon); recent intestinal anastomoses
(a surgical connection between two separate parts of the colon); active
or inactive peptic (stomach) ulcers; unsatisfactory kidney function;
high blood pressure; osteoporosis (brittle bones that may fracture);
and myasthenia gravis (a long-term disease characterized by abnormal
fatigue and weakness of certain muscles).
Do not discontinue the use of Medrol (Prednisolone) abruptly or without medical
supervision.
If you should develop a fever or other signs of infection while taking
Medrol (Prednisolone), notify your doctor immediately.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Medrol (Prednisolone)
If Medrol (Prednisolone) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Medrol (Prednisolone) with the following:
Amphotericin B
Aspirin
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital and Seconal
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune and Neoral)
Diabetes drugs such as Glucotrol
Ephedrine (in products such as Marax and Rynatuss)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Water pills such as Lasix
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Medrol (Prednisolone) without a prescriptions during
pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or
plan to become
pregnant,
inform your
doctor immediately. This medication may appear in breast milk and could
affect a nursing infant. If Medrol (Prednisolone) is essential to your
health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until
your
treatment is finished.
Recommended dosage for Medrol (Prednisolone)
ADULTS :
Overdosage
