This medication is used to treat various conditions such as allergic disorders; arthritis; blood diseases; breathing problems; certain cancers; eye diseases; intestinal disorders; collagen and skin diseases. It decreases your body's immune response to these diseases and reduces symptoms such as swelling and redness. Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid).

This drug may also be used with other medications as a replacement for certain hormones.

Take this medication by mouth with food or milk, or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Dosage and duration of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

If you are taking only one dose of this medication per day, it is best to take it in the morning before 9 a.m. If you are taking this medication every other day or on another schedule besides a daily one, it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder.

If you are using the methylprednisolone tapered dose pack, follow the dosing schedule and take it exactly as prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of this medication in your body. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If you have been taking this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop it without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, or extreme fatigue.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual period changes, trouble sleeping, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she 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.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: bone/joint pain, easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, severe stomach/abdominal pain, increased thirst/urination, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles/feet, persistent weight gain, puffy face, unusual hair growth, thinning skin, slow wound healing, signs of infection (e.g., persistent fever/cough/sore throat, painful urination, eye pain/discharge), muscle weakness/pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., mood swings, depression, agitation), vision changes, seizures, unusual skin growths.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: 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.

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

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: untreated active fungal infections.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, history of blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, certain heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), diabetes, certain eye diseases (e.g., cataracts, herpes infection, glaucoma), kidney disease, current infections (e.g., tuberculosis, threadworm), severe liver disease (cirrhosis), certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., psychosis, depression), seizures, stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., diverticulitis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis), underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), untreated mineral problems (e.g., low potassium or calcium).

This medication may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/cough/fever, pain during urination, muscle aches) that occur while taking this medication or within 12 months after stopping it.

If you have been on this medication for a long time, your body may not be able to make enough natural steroids while you are under stress due to infection, surgery or injury. Your dose may need to be adjusted. If you have stopped taking this drug within the past 12 months, you may need to start taking it again if your body is under severe stress. Consult your doctor for more details. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur: unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, dizziness.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have taken it within the last 12 months.

Do not have immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests while you are using this drug unless specifically directed by your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.

Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication. If you are exposed to these infections, seek immediate medical attention.

If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Alcohol may increase the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.

If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent bone loss.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children. It may slow down a child's growth rate if given for long periods. Monitor your child's height and growth rate regularly. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have been rare reports of harm to an unborn baby when corticosteroids are used during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

(See also the How to Use section).

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: live vaccines.

If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this drug.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, large doses of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (salicylates), birth control pills, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), bupropion, cyclosporine, drugs for diabetes, drugs that cause potassium loss (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), estrogens, mifepristone, natalizumab, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove methylprednisolone from your body (e.g., aprepitant; azole antifungals such as ketoconazole; macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin; rifamycins such as rifampin; certain anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin and phenobarbital), herbal products (e.g., licorice).

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase the risk of stomach bleeding from this drug. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This product may interfere with certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, blood glucose/mineral levels, blood pressure, bone density tests, height/weight measurements, eye examinations, x-rays) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects during long-term therapy. Consult your doctor for more details.

Lifestyle changes that help reduce the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) during long-term therapy include weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you with your doctor.

If you take this medication for prolonged periods, you should wear or carry identification stating that you are taking it.

If you are using this medication once daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you are using the tapered dose pack or if you take this medication every other day, ask your doctor what you should do if you miss a dose.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information, call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised June 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.