Medrol (Methylprednisolone) – Oral

Medrol – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Methylprednisolone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/kidney/intestinal/lung diseases, and immune system disorders. It decreases your immune system’s response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling, pain, and allergic-type reactions. This medication is a corticosteroid hormone.Methylprednisolone may also be used with other medications in hormone disorders.

How to use Medrol

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually with food or milk. Follow your dosing instructions carefully. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Different dosing schedules exist for this medication. If you are not taking the same dose each day or if you take this medication every other day, it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used methylprednisolone for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal. See also Precautions section.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

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Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, appetite changes, increased sweating, or acne may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn’t go away, fever, chills, cough, white patches in the mouth).

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unusual weight gain, menstrual period changes, bone/joint pain, easy bruising/bleeding, mental/mood changes (such as mood swings, depression, agitation), muscle weakness/pain, puffy face, slow wound healing, swelling of the ankles/feet/hands, thinning skin, unusual hair/skin growth, vision problems, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds).

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to prednisone; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), diabetes, eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma, herpes infection of the eye), heart problems (such as recent heart attack, congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, current/past infections (such as those caused by tuberculosis, threadworm, herpes, fungus), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood conditions (such as psychosis, depression, anxiety), stomach/intestinal problems (such as diverticulitis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis), seizures.

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Methylprednisolone can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using methylprednisolone before having any immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication. See also Medical Alert section.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

This medication may slow down a child’s growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child’s height and growth can be checked.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for a long time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Medrol (Methylprednisolone) – Oral

Kaylea Swearingen, PharmD, is a registered pharmacist and freelance health and wellness writer.

Updated on August 02, 2022

Violetta Shamilova, PharmD, is a board-certified pharmacist and assistant professor at Touro College in New York.

Additional Content by IBM Micromedex ®
Table of Contents
Table of Contents

What Is Medrol?

Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a prescription medication used to treat inflammation in the body related to several medical conditions such as rheumatic diseases, blood disorders, severe allergies, and eye problems.

Medrol belongs to a class of medications known as glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids work by changing your body’s immune response and decreasing inflammation. Medrol is available in tablet form only by prescription.

Methylprednisolone is also available for injection under the brand names Depo-Medrol and Solu-Medrol.

Drug Facts

Generic Name: Methylprednisolone

Brand Name(s): Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, Methylpred-DP

Administration Route(s): Oral

Drug Availability: Prescription

Therapeutic Classification: Endocrine-metabolic agent

Available Generically: Yes

Controlled Substance: N/A

Active Ingredient: Methylprednisolone

Dosage Form(s): Tablet

What Is Medrol Used For?

Medrol helps control inflammation and treat:

• Rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis
• Collagen diseases such as lupus
• Endocrine disorders such as primary adrenocortical insufficiency
• Psoriasis
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Severe allergies
• Eye problems
• Stomach problems such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Blood disorders such as low platelet levels
• Respiratory problems such as Loeffler’s syndrome
• Blood cancer or cancer in the lymphatic system
• Multiple sclerosis flares

How to Take Medrol

Medrol is available as an oral tablet, meant to be taken by mouth. How often you take Medrol depends on what condition you are using it to treat and how your body reacts to the medication.

You can take Medrol with or without food.

Storage

Store methylprednisolone at a controlled room temperature, which is about 68 F to 77 F.

When traveling, always carry your medication with you. If you are flying, make sure to keep the original prescription-labeled bottle or box in your carry-on bag. Don’t leave this medication in your car, especially if the weather is very cold or hot.

How Long Does Medrol Take to Work?

Medrol begins to work quickly. It reaches its peak effect about two hours after an oral dose is taken.

What Are the Side Effects of Medrol?

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Like most medications, Medrol can cause mild or severe side effects. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience, especially if they persist or worsen.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects with methylprednisolone include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Restlessness
• Increased thirst
• High blood pressure
• Acne
• Swelling of teeth, ankles, or hands
• Muscle weakness
• Infection
• Depression

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any of these side effects don’t go away or become more severe.

Severe Side Effects

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Allergic reactions with symptoms such as hives, shortness of breath, rash, fever, and swelling of the lips, mouth, or tongue
• Mood changes with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis
• Changes in vision, bulging eyes, or eye pain
• Pain in hips, back, shoulders, arms, or legs
• Diabetes
• Trouble urinating
• Wounds that won’t heal
• Low potassium levels, which can weakness or irregular heart rhythms
• Hormone changes with symptoms such as lack of energy, appetite loss, nausea or vomiting, joint or muscle pain, headache, low blood pressure, weight loss, and skin irritation

Report Side Effects

Medrol may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your provider may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).

Dosage: How Much Medrol Should I Take?

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The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Dose depends on medical condition:
    • Adults—At first, 4 to 48 milligrams (mg) per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

    Modifications

    In some cases, your healthcare provider may need to modify your Medrol dose.

    A person aged 65 years or older often processes drugs more slowly. A lower dose or different dosing schedule may be required.

    Additionally, this medication can cause the body to stop making certain hormones on its own. Your healthcare provider will monitor your dose to help decrease the risk of this potential effect.

    Medrol can slow a child’s growth. If your child is prescribed Medrol, their healthcare provider may need to monitor their development regularly while they are taking this medication.

    Missed Dose

    If you miss a dose of Medrol, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, you should skip the dose you missed. Do not take extra to make up for the missed dose. Doing so can increase your risk for side effects.

    Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Medrol?

    If you take too much methylprednisolone, you may begin to experience:

    • High blood pressure
    • Salt retention causing swelling in your arms, legs, or feet
    • Low potassium levels causing weakness, muscle cramps, or tiredness

    What Happens If I Overdose on Medrol?

    If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Medrol, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).

    If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Medrol, call 911 immediately.

    Precautions

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    It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

    Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

    If you are using this medicine for a long time, tell your doctor about any extra stress or anxiety in your life, including other health concerns and emotional stress. Your dose of this medicine might need to be changed for a short time while you have extra stress.

    Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

    This medicine may cause you to get more infections than usual. Avoid people who are sick or have infections and wash your hands often. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, tell your doctor right away. If you start to have a fever, chills, sore throat, or any other sign of an infection, call your doctor right away.

    Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, eye pain, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

    While you are being treated with methylprednisolone, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor’s approval. Methylprednisolone may lower your body’s resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

    This medicine may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have depression, mood swings, a false or unusual sense of well-being, trouble with sleeping, or personality changes while using this medicine.

    This medicine might cause thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) or slow growth in children if used for a long time. Tell your doctor if you have any bone pain or if you have an increased risk for osteoporosis. If your child is using this medicine, tell the doctor if you think your child is not growing properly.

    Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain skin tests.

    Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

    What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Medrol?

    There are many reasons your healthcare provider may not choose Medrol as part of your treatment plan.