Methylprednisolone: What is it and what is it for?

What is methylprednisolone?

Methylprednisolone is a type of anti-inflammatory active substance, present in commercial and generic drugs. It belongs to the group of substances commonly called corticosteroids or glucocorticoids, which are produced by the adrenal gland and at the medical level are essential for inflammations. (1)

What is methylprednisolone for?

• Methylprednisolone serves to reduce inflammation in tissues and is also an immunosuppressant to prevent the immune system from acting negatively against a disease or disorder. Therefore, it reduces leukocytes or macrophages that are accumulated in tissues. (2)
• It is used to treat:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Lupus.
  • Eye ulcers.
  • Ulcerative colitis.
  • Crohn’s disease.
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
  • Leukemia in the bone marrow.
  • Asthma.
  • Allergies.
  • Multiple sclerosis.

Dosage and routes of administration of methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone is in capsule forms, solution for injection or ampoules, takingoral, intravenousand sometimes topical administration. Recommended doses of methylprednisolone in tablet form are as follows:

• Adults: Take a dose of 4 mg tablets to a maximum of 80 mg daily, at intervals of every 6 hours.

Note: For a specific disease and for the pediatric population (children), it will depend on the medical prescription established by your doctor.

What products contain methylprednisolone?

Some of the medicines that contain methylprednisolone are:

• Medrol®
• Urbason®
• Solu-Moderin®
• Solu-Medrol®

Medrol®

• It is found in the presentation of 16 mg tablets with oral administration route.
• sucrose and calcium stearate.

Urbason®

• This type of drug is available in 16 mg tablet presentations, with an oral route of administration.
• The excipients that abound in the chemical formula are lactose monohydrate, talc and magnesium stearate.

Solu-Moderin®

• This drug differs by being in the presentation of solvent powders to be applied in solutions, whose route of administration is through intravenous injections.
• Contains additional substances such as monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate.

Solu-Medrol®

• It is also found in the form of powders for solutions, although its method of Administrationcan be intravenous.
• Sodium hydroxide solution excipient is added to it .

Side Effects of Methylprednisolone

Like many drugs and substances, methylprednisolone brings with it certain adverse effects that should be prevented and if they occur without disappearing, you should stop using any of the drugsto see your specialist doctor. Among the most notorious effects are the following:

• Fluid retention .
• Irritability.
• insomnia _
• Muscle weakness.

Contraindications and warnings of methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone is contraindicated for certain patients, in order to Prevent negative interactionsand put the health of these people at risk. For this reason, it is not recommended in the following cases:

• Serious allergic reactions to the formula.
• In case of suffering from osteoporosis.
• Herpes zoster.
• Tuberculosis.
• Pregnancy and lactation .

Avoid it if you have:

• Gastritis.
• hypothyroidism

Warnings:

• This drug should be kept out of the reach of children.
• It is preferable to use this class of active metabolites with the help of a medical prescription.
• It is advisable to keep medicines with this active substance well sealed.
• This class of drug must be used with adjusted doses, to prevent increases in blood Sugar.