Medrol Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone is in a class of drugs known as steroids. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions and can be used to treat severe allergies, skin problems, asthma, arthritis and other conditions. Methylprednisolone is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Medrol Dosage

The starting dose of Medrol tablets may vary from 4 milligrams to 48 milligrams per day, depending on the specific problem being treated.

Uses of Medrol

• Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions. It is used to treat endocrine (hormonal) disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids.
• It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.

Side Effects of Medrol

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Medrol. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal swelling
• allergic reactions
• bone fractures
• bruising
• congestive heart failure
• cataracts
• convulsions
• Cushingoid symptoms
• face redness
• fluid and salt retention
• headache
• high blood pressure
• increased eye pressure
• increased sweating
• muscle wasting and weakness
• osteoporosis
• poor healing of wounds
• protruding eyes
• stomach ulcer

Warnings and precautions before taking Medrol:

• You should be used Medrol cautiously if you have an underactive thyroid, liver cirrhosis, or herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye.
• Medrol should also be taken with caution if you have any of the following conditions including such as Diverticulitis or other inflammatory conditions of the intestine, High blood pressure, Certain kidney diseases, Active or dormant peptic ulcer, Myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder), Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
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• You should use aspirin cautiously with Medrol if you have a blood-clotting disorder.
• You should also avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles.
• If you have a fungal infection, then you should tell your doctor; do not take methylprednisolone without talking to your doctor.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Medrol, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Medrol medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Medrol with the following:

• Aspirin
  
• Blood thinners such as Coumadin
  
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  
• Estrogen medications such as Premarin
  
• Insulin
  
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Indocin
  
• Oral diabetes drugs such as Glucotrol
  
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
  
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
  
• Troleandomycin (Tao)
  
• Water pills such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL

Overdose

When you are taking Medrol, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Medrol overdose may include:-

• obesity (especially around the stomach)
• a round face
• increased hair growth (especially around the face)
• acne
• bruising
• increased blood pressure
• swollen hands
• feet
• ankles (fluid retention)
• sore or weak muscles