Medrol

Medrol

What is Medrol?

Medrol is used to treat many different inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, allergic diseases, glandular diseases (endocrine diseases) and diseases affecting the skin, eyes, lungs, stomach, nervous system or blood cells.

Medrol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side effects of Medrol

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Medrol can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• bruising, thinning skin, or wounds that don't heal;

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• severe depression, personality changes, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• new or unusual pain in an arm, leg, or back;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• low potassium – leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeat, fluttering in the chest, increased thirst or need to urinate, numbness or tingling.

Steroids can affect the growth of children. Tell your doctor if your child does not grow normally while using Medrol.

Common side effects of Medrol may include:

• fluid retention (swelling of the hands or ankles);

• dizziness, feeling dizzy;

• changes in your menstruation;

• Headache;

• mild muscle pain or weakness; or

• Stomach problems, flatulence.

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

Warnings

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

Before you take this medicine

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

• a fungal infection somewhere in your body.

Medrol can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an existing infection or reactivate a recent infection. Tell your doctor about any illnesses or infections you have had in the past few weeks.

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

• a thyroid disease;

• 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 disease such as myasthenia gravis; or

• Multiple sclerosis.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines can increase the levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medication.

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

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

How should I take Medrol?

Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. 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 dosage instructions very carefully.

Your dosage needs may change if you have unusual stress, such as: B. a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you are having surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any situation that concerns you.

This medicine may produce unusual results in certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Medrol.

You should not suddenly stop using Medrol. Follow your doctor's instructions for reducing the dose.

Carry a medical warning label or ID showing that you are taking Medrol. Any doctor who treats you should know that you are taking steroid medications.

If you need surgery, tell 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, protected from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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

An overdose of methylprednisolone is not expected to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high doses of steroids may result in symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (particularly on the face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne, or facial hair. Menstrual cramps, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while taking Medrol?

Avoid being near sick or infected people. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people taking steroid medications.

Do not receive a live vaccine while using Medrol. During this time, the vaccine may not work as well and may not completely protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza).

What other drugs will affect Medrol?

Other medications may interact with methylprednisolone, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medications you are taking now and any medications you are starting or stopping taking.