Methylprednisolone tablets

What is this medicine?

METHYLPREDNISOLONE (meth ill pred NISS oh lone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions treated include asthma, allergies, and arthritis. It is also used for other conditions, such as blood disorders and diseases of the adrenal glands.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. If you are taking this medicine once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• bloody or tarry stools

• changes in vision

• hallucination, loss of contact with reality

• muscle cramps

• muscle pain

• palpitations

• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; fruity breath; nausea; stomach pain; increased hunger or thirst; increased urination

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in emotions or mood

• constipation

• diarrhea

• excessive hair growth on the face or body

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• trouble sleeping

• weight gain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alefacept

• echinacea

• live virus vaccines

• metyrapone

• mifepristone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• amphotericin B

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines

• certain antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin

• certain medicines for diabetes

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• cholestyramine

• cyclosporine

• digoxin

• diuretics

• female hormones, like estrogens and birth control pills

• isoniazid

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• other medicines for myasthenia gravis

• rifampin

• vaccines

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, talk to your doctor or health care professional. You may need to miss a dose or take an extra dose. Do not take double or extra doses without advice.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Cushing's syndrome

• eye disease, vision problems

• diabetes

• glaucoma

• heart disease

• high blood pressure

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• liver disease

• mental illness

• myasthenia gravis

• osteoporosis

• recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccine

• seizures

• stomach or intestine problems

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to lactose, methylprednisolone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Using this medicine for a long time may increase your risk of low bone mass. Talk to your doctor about bone health.