Methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone is a oral corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Doctors prescribe Methylprednisolone for many inflammatory, allergic and immune-related conditions, including:

• Severe allergic reactions and severe urticaria or drug allergy
• Asthma and COPD flare-ups, and some other lung diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE) and other joint and connective-tissue diseases
• Severe skin diseases — such as extensive eczema, lichen planus or pemphigus
• Nephrotic syndrome and certain kidney conditions
• Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
• Certain blood disorders — such as ITP and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

The condition, dose and length of treatment differ greatly between patients — use Methylprednisolone only for the illness it was prescribed for.

Short courses of Methylprednisolone are usually well tolerated. Possible side effects include:

• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Stomach upset, heartburn or indigestion
• Mood changes, irritability, difficulty sleeping
• Raised blood sugar and blood pressure
• Facial rounding, fluid retention and swelling

With longer use: thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), muscle weakness, thin skin and easy bruising, cataracts or glaucoma, higher risk of infections, slowed growth in children and suppression of the body's own steroid production. Report black stools, severe stomach pain, vision changes, signs of infection or severe mood changes to your doctor immediately while taking Methylprednisolone.

• Never stop Methylprednisolone abruptly — after more than a few days the body cuts back its own steroid production, and sudden stopping can cause adrenal crisis; always follow the tapering plan
• Take it with food, and tell your doctor about any history of stomach ulcer
• Infection risk: avoid close contact with people who have chickenpox, measles or other infections, and report fever or feeling unwell promptly — steroids can hide the usual signs of infection
• Diabetes: monitor blood sugar more often, as steroids raise it; insulin or tablet doses may need adjusting
• Blood pressure, eyes and bones should be checked during long-term treatment; calcium and vitamin D may be advised
• Tell every doctor, dentist or surgeon that you take steroids, and avoid live vaccines unless your doctor approves

Many medicines interact with Methylprednisolone. Tell your doctor everything you take, especially:

• NSAID painkillers — aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac: combined with steroids they raise the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding
• Diabetes medicines and insulin — steroids raise blood sugar, so doses may need adjusting
• Warfarin and other blood thinners — effects may change; closer monitoring is needed
• Diuretics — added potassium loss, causing weakness or palpitations
• Rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine — speed up steroid breakdown and weaken its effect
• Ketoconazole and some HIV medicines — increase steroid levels and side effects
• Live vaccines — generally avoided during significant steroid doses

Do not take Methylprednisolone if you:

• Are allergic to methylprednisolone or any other ingredient of the preparation
• Have a widespread (systemic) fungal infection
• Are due to receive a live or live-attenuated vaccine while on immunosuppressive steroid doses, unless your doctor approves

Methylprednisolone needs special caution — and sometimes additional treatment first — in active or past tuberculosis, untreated infections, stomach ulcers, severe diabetes, severe high blood pressure, glaucoma, osteoporosis and serious mental illness. Your doctor will weigh these risks before prescribing it.

Pregnancy: Methylprednisolone is used in pregnancy only when the doctor judges that the benefit to the mother outweighs any risk to the baby — for example in severe asthma or autoimmune disease, where the untreated illness itself is dangerous. Prolonged or high-dose use needs close monitoring of both mother and baby. Never start, stop or change Methylprednisolone in pregnancy without medical advice.

Breastfeeding: Small amounts pass into breast milk. Usual doses are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding; with higher doses the doctor may advise waiting a few hours after a dose before feeding. Discuss your dose and feeding schedule with your doctor.

Store Methylprednisolone below 30°C in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep tablets in the original blister pack until use.

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack
• Do not keep leftover tablets to self-treat future illnesses — steroid use always needs a doctor's supervision