Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack

Generic Name: methylprednisolone (Pronunciation: METH il pred NIS oh lone)

• What is methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What are the possible side effects of methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What is the most important information I should know about methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• How should I take methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What happens if I overdose (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What should I avoid while taking methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• What other drugs will affect methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?

Methylprednisolone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

Methylprednisolone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Methylprednisolone 4 mg-BAR

oval, white, imprinted with dp 301

Methylprednisolone 4 mg-GG

oval, white, imprinted with GG 557

Methylprednisolone 4 mg-GRE

oval, white, imprinted with 3327 G, 4

Methylprednisolone 4 mg-WAT

oval, white, imprinted with WATSON 790

What are the possible side effects of methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• problems with your vision;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
• pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
• acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
• slow wound healing;
• increased sweating;
• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
• nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Before taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all other medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using methylprednisolone. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

Do not stop using methylprednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take methylprednisolone. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical professional who treats you should know that you take steroid medication.

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