Methylprednisolone is a type of steroid. This medication is effective in the prevention of release of substances in the body that result to inflammation.

This medication is prescribed to those who have allergic disorders, skin irritations, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus, and breathing disorders. This drug is also known under the brand names Medrol, Methyl Prednisolone, and Medrol Dosepak.

The dosage of methylprednisolone may vary according to the disease being treated and the response of the patient to the medication. Usually, the initial oral dosage of methylprednisolone is 4-48 mg in a day depending on the disease being treated. The initial dose may be adjusted depending on the response of the patient to the treatment. It can be given in multiple doses taken throughout the day although this is more toxic compared to those taken once a day or every other day. This medication should be taken after meals.

Overdose of this medication may not result to fatal symptoms. However, patients are advised that the long term use of this medication can lead to various symptoms like thinning of the skin, unexplained bruising, changes in the shape of body fat particularly in the neck, face, back, and waist, as well as increase in facial hair. The long term use of this medication can also lead to impotence and decreased libido.

Patients are advised to immediately consult a doctor if they experience serious side effects from the use of methylprednisolone. Some of these serious side effects are vision problems, unwanted gain in weight, swelling, and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from severe depressions, seizures, coughing up of blood, and bloody and tarry tools. Likewise it is possible for patients to suffer from severe pain in the upper stomach or pancreatitis as well as low pottassium characterized by extreme thirst, leg discomfort, confusion, increased urination, and limp feeling. Patients may also experience high blood pressure as well as severe headache, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and buzzing in the ears.

Some of the less serious side effects of methylprednisolone are insomnia, mood swings, dry skin, thinning of the skin, acne, slow healing of a wound, abnormal sweating, headache, spinning sensation, stomach pain, and nausea.

This medication may interact with other drugs such as aspirin especially if taken daily or at high dosages. It can also interact with diuretics, blood thinners like warfarin, cylcosporine like Sandimmune, Neoral, and Gengraf, and insulin medications taken orally. This medication may also interact with antibiotics like ketoconazole, rifampin, and troleandomycin, as well as anti-seizure drugs like phenytoin and phenobarbital.

Methylprednisolone should not be taken by those who are allergic to this medication, as well as those who have a fungal infection. It is also noteworthy to mention that use of steroids can weaken the immune system and could result to the patient getting an infection.

Patients should tell their doctors if they have had any illness or infection during the past few weeks before agreeing to take this medication. Other conditions that should be divulged before taking this medication are liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid problem, diabetes, tuberculosis, osterporosis, and myasthenia gravis, a certain type of muscle disorder.

Methylprednisolone has the following structural formula:

Chemical structure of methylprednisolone

• Molecular formula of methylprednisolone is C22H30O5

• Chemical IUPAC Name is 11,17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-6,10,13- trimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15, 16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one

• Molecular weight is 374.471 g/mol

• Methylprednisolone available : 2mg tablets, 4mg tablets, 8mg tablets 16mg tablets and 32mg tablets