Solu-MEDROL (injection)

Solu-MEDROL (injection)

What is Solu-MEDROL?

Solu-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.

Solu-MEDROL may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side effects of Solu-MEDROL

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

Solu-MEDROL can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

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

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

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

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

• severe pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting;

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

• a seizure (convulsions); or

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

Solu-MEDROL can affect the growth of children. Tell your doctor if your child does not grow normally while using Solu-MEDROL.

Common side effects of Solu-MEDROL may include:

• weight gain (particularly in the face or upper back and torso);

• slow wound healing;

• muscle pain or weakness;

• thinning skin, increased sweating;

• stomach problems, flatulence;

• Headache; or

• Changes in your menstrual period.

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

If you have a fungal infection you may not be able to receive Solu-MEDROL.

Before you take this medicine

You should not be treated with Solu-MEDROL if you are allergic to it. If you have a fungal infection, you may not be able to receive this medicine.

Solu-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.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;

• a thyroid disease;

• Diabetes;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• kidney disease;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;

• seizures, epilepsy, or recent head injury;

• past or present tuberculosis;

• herpes infection of the eyes;

• a condition called scleroderma;

• peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or recent intestinal surgery;

• a parasitic infection that causes diarrhea (e.g. roundworms);

• mental illness or psychosis;

• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (steroid medications can increase the risk of bone loss);

• a muscle disease such as myasthenia gravis; or

• an electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low blood potassium levels).

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

You should not breast-feed while using Solu-MEDROL.

How is Solu-MEDROL administered?

Solu-MEDROL is injected into a muscle or soft tissue, into a skin lesion, into the space around a joint, or given as an infusion into a vein. A doctor will give you this injection.

Steroid medications can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to become infected. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

If you have major surgery or a serious injury or infection, your Solu-MEDROL dosage needs may change. Make sure any doctor who cares for you knows that you are using this medicine.

If you use this medicine for a long time, medical tests and eye exams may be needed.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Solu-MEDROL.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking Solu-MEDROL?

Do not receive a live vaccine while using Solu-MEDROL. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza).

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 using Solu-MEDROL.

What other drugs will affect Solu-MEDROL?

Sometimes it is not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some medications can affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many medications can affect Solu-MEDROL. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking and any medications you are taking or stopping.