Uses of Methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone is used to treat problematic conditions of the adrenal glands (such as adrenal insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and nonsuppurative thyroiditis). It is used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). 

Therapeutic Category

Methylprednisolone: Corticosteroids

How Methylprednisolone works

Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine with anti-inflammatory and immune suppressant properties. It boosts your body with sufficient corticosteroid levels (cortisol, aldosterone) during deficient conditions and helps your body to function properly.

It also reduces the release of certain chemicals (prostaglandins) in the body that causes pain, swelling and inflammation. It prevents graft rejection by suppressing the immune functions and protects your kidney from damage in patients with kidney problems.

When applied topically, it reduces the release of certain chemicals (prostaglandins) on the skin that causes skin rash, itching and inflammation. As a result, it reduces skin itchiness, redness, pain, inflammation and burning sensation. It also lessens the chances of fluid build-up under the skin and pus oozing out from the inflamed skin areas.

Common side effects of Methylprednisolone

• high blood pressure (causing headache, or a general feeling of being unwell)
• swelling of body parts
• muscle cramps, weakness or wasting
• cataract, blurred vision
• slowed growth in children
• moon shaped face (Cushingoid facies)
• feeling sad, mood changes, mania, anxiety
• problems in sleeping
• difficulty in thinking, confusion, loss of memory, hallucinations
• fear or frightening thoughts
• acne, poor wound healing
• skin thinning, itching, and burning sensation at the site of application

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience, any signs of allergic reactions (such as skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat which can lead to difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
• If you experience signs of bleeding in the gut (such as stomach pain which radiates until your back, bleeding from the anus, black or blood-stained stools, blood in vomit)
• If you experience increased infections causing fever or a general feeling of being unwell
• If you experience signs of flare up of a previous tuberculosis infection (such as coughing blood or pain in the chest)
• If you experience signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas causing severe stomach pain and vomiting)
• If you experience signs of blood clot in lungs (such as sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood)
• If you experience signs of increased pressure within the skull (such as severe headaches with vomiting, lack of energy and drowsiness) usually occurs once therapy is stopped
• If you experience thrombophlebitis (blood clots in vein supplying the legs causing leg pain, swelling, redness and tenderness)
• If you experience feeling depressed, suicidal thoughts
• If you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances

Health Tips for Methylprednisolone

• Taking this medicine with food can help reduce stomach upset
• Avoid alcohol consumption. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach irritation and may heighten the side effects of this medicine