Methylprednisolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Methylprednisolone reduces swelling and decreases the body’s immune response.

Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions. It is used to treat endocrine (hormonal) disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Methylprednisolone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take methylprednisolone exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than is prescribed for you. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.

Take oral methylprednisolone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Methylprednisolone is also available as an injection. Your healthcare provider will administer injectable methylprednisolone. If you are using injectable methylprednisolone at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.

If you are taking one dose daily, take that dose before 9 a.m. if possible, to follow the body’s natural cycle. If you take more than one dose daily, space the doses evenly throughout the day as directed by your doctor.

Do not stop taking methylprednisolone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.

Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking methylprednisolone in the case of an accident.

Store methylprednisolone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications, including herbal products, during treatment with methylprednisolone without first talking to your doctor. Many other medicines can interact with methylprednisolone resulting in side effects or altered effectiveness of the medications.

Use alcohol cautiously. Together, alcohol and oral methylprednisolone can be damaging to the stomach.

Avoid sources of infection. Wash the hands frequently and keep them away from the mouth and eyes. The immune system may be weakened while taking methylprednisolone.

Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with methylprednisolone without first talking to your doctor.

Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms or death. An overdose is more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose—large doses taken over a period of time.

Symptoms of an overdose include obesity (especially around the stomach); a round face; increased hair growth (especially around the face); acne; bruising; increased blood pressure; swollen hands, feet, or ankles (fluid retention); and sore or weak muscles.

If you take one dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if you don’t remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed and take only the regular daily dose.

If you take more than one dose daily, you can either take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or you can take two doses (the one you missed plus your regularly scheduled dose) when it is time for the next dose.

If you take one dose every other day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular every-other-day schedule.

Do not stop taking methylprednisolone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.

Take oral methylprednisolone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking methylprednisolone in the case of an emergency.

Do not take methylprednisolone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Methylprednisolone weakens the body’s immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease,

• liver disease,

• high blood pressure or heart disease,

• ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or stomach ulcers,

• hypothyroidism,

• a psychiatric condition,

• osteoporosis,

• myasthenia gravis,

• diabetes mellitus, or

• any other medical conditions.

You may not be able to take methylprednisolone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Methylprednisolone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether methylprednisolone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Methylprednisolone passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take methylprednisolone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Your pharmacist has additional information about methylprednisolone written for health professionals that you may read.

Methylprednisolone is available with a prescription under the several brand and generic names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.