Medrol

Medrol is a steroid that stops the body from releasing substances that lead to inflammation.

Medrol is used to treat various inflammatory conditions like arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, allergic disorders, gland (endocrine) disorders, and issues affecting the skin, eyes, lungs, stomach, nervous system, or blood cells.

Medrol may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Medrol is sometimes taken every other day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Your dose may need to change if you experience unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Inform your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Medrol.

You should not stop using Medrol suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card that states you take Medrol. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take steroid medication.

If you need surgery, inform the surgeon in advance that you are using Medrol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use this medicine if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

You should not use Medrol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Medrol can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also make an existing infection worse or reactivate a past infection. Inform your doctor about any illness or infection you have had in the last several weeks.

To ensure Medrol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a thyroid disorder;
• herpes infection of the eyes;
• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
• depression, mental illness, or psychosis;
• liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
• high blood pressure;
• osteoporosis;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis; or
• multiple sclerosis.

Also, inform your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may raise the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether Medrol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether methylprednisolone passes into breast milk or if it could affect a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Medrol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild activity), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• bruising, thinning skin, or any wound that will not heal;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• severe depression, changes in personality, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• new or unusual pain in an arm or leg or in your back;
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Medrol.

Common side effects of Medrol may include:

• fluid retention (swelling in your hands or ankles);
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• changes in your menstrual periods;
• headache;
• mild muscle pain or weakness; or
• stomach discomfort, bloating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Call your doctor for guidance if you miss a dose of Medrol.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of methylprednisolone is not expected to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

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 using Medrol. The vaccine may not work as well during this time and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Other drugs may interact with methylprednisolone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicine you begin or discontinue.