What is Methylprednisolone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take your medicine as directed. 

Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you, especially if you use this medicine for an ongoing illness. 

This medicine is sometimes taken only every other day, which helps to decrease side effects. Make sure you understand the dosing schedule.

Take your medicine in the morning unless your doctor instructs otherwise.

Take this medicine with food.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature out of the reach of children.

If a dose is missed, take it when remembered. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Methylprednisolone should not be taken by anyone who has had an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone or by anyone who has a fungal infection of the internal organs.

Because of possible side effects, healthcare providers try to use the lowest possible dose.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Though methylprednisolone is not prohibited during pregnancy, it increases the risk of some types of birth defects. 

Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver cirrhosis

• Adrenal gland problems

• Heart failure

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Osteoporosis

• Blood clotting problems

• Thyroid problems

• Any mental health or emotional issues (including depression)

• Muscle disorders including myasthenia gravis

• Stomach or bowel problems (including ulcers or diverticulitis)

• An active infection (including herpes eye infection, tuberculosis, or threadworm)

This medicine could cause you to get infections more easily, especially at high doses. When taking methylprednisolone:

• Avoid people who are sick with an infection. 

• Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to chickenpox, measles, or other serious infections.

This medicine may also cause the following problems:

• Changes in mood or behavior

• High blood pressure

• Salt and water retention

• Decrease in potassium and calcium levels

• Adrenal gland problems

• Eye problems or changes in vision (including cataracts or glaucoma)

• Bone problems (including osteoporosis)

• Increased risk for cancer (especially Kaposi’s sarcoma)

• Growth suppression in children.

While taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any extra stress or anxiety in your life, including other health concerns and emotional stress. The dose might need to be changed for a short time during periods of extra stress.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect skin test results.

Because of possible drug interactions, tell healthcare providers you are using this medicine.

Tell the doctor prescribing methylprednisolone about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking.

Because of the risk of infection, live vaccines cannot be given to people taking corticosteroids like methylprednisolone.

Avoid drinking alcohol when taking methylprednisolone. 

Medications that can cause problems when taken with methylprednisolone include:

• NSAIDs such as aspirin. ibuprofen, or naproxen

• Diuretics

• Diabetes medications

• Estrogens (birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy)

• Blood thinners

• Macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin

• Tuberculosis antibiotics

• Drugs that block cholinesterase (in people with myasthenia gravis)

• Aminoglutethimide, amphotericin B, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digoxin, digitalis, and isoniazid

This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccine.

Some drugs slow down or speed up the body’s metabolism of methylprednisolone. If these drugs are combined with methylprednisolone, doses may need to be modified. 

• Some examples include carbamazepine, phenytoin, ketoconazole, phenobarbital, and rifampin.