Methylprednisolone Solution for Injection

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?

This medicine is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is also for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

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

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

• trouble sleeping

• weight gain

What may interact with this medicine?

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

• alefacept

• echinacea

• iopamidol

• 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 infection like ketoconazole

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• cyclosporine

• digoxin

• diuretics

• female hormones, like estrogens and birth control pills

• isoniazid

• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• other medicines for myasthenia gravis

• rifampin

• vaccines

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

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.

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

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.