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Medrol |
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What is Medrol and why is it prescribed? Medrol, a corticosteroid drug, is used to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in a variety of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, acute gouty arthritis, and severe cases of asthma. Medrol may be given to people to treat primary or secondary adrenal cortex insufficiency. It is also given to help treat the following disorders: Severe allergic conditions (including drug-induced allergic states), Blood disorders (leukemia and various anemias), Certain cancers (along with other drugs), Skin diseases (including severe psoriasis), Connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Digestive tract diseases such as ulcerative colitis, High serum levels of calcium associated with cancer, Fluid retention due to nephrotic syndrome, Various eye diseases, Lung diseases such as tuberculosis, and Worsening of multiple sclerosis. Medrol lowers your resistance to infections and can make them harder to treat. Medrol may also mask some of the signs of an infection, making it difficult for your doctor to diagnose the actual problem. How should you take Medrol? Follow your doctors directions for taking Medrol. Take Medrol exactly as prescribed. It can be taken every day or every other day, depending on the condition being treated. Do not abruptly stop taking Medrol without checking with your doctor. If you have been using Medrol for a long time, the dose should be reduced gradually. Medrol may cause upset stomach. Take Medrol with meals or snacks. If you miss a dose and you take your dose once a day, take it as soon as you remember. Then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until the next day, skip the one you missed. Do not take two doses at once. If you take it several times a day, take it as soon as you remember. Then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until your next dose, double the dose you take. If you take your dose every other day, and you remember it the same morning, take it as soon as you remember and go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until the afternoon, do not take it until the following morning, then skip a day and go back to your regular schedule. Store Medrol at room temperature. Are there any Medrol side effects? Medrol side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Medrol side effects may include abdominal swelling, allergic reactions, bone fractures, bruising, congestive heart failure, cataracts, convulsions, Cushingoid symptoms, face redness, fluid and salt retention, headache, high blood pressure, increased eye pressure, increased sweating, increase in amounts of insulin or hypoglycemic medications needed, inflammation of the pancreas, irregular menstruation, muscle wasting and weakness, osteoporosis, poor healing of wounds, protruding eyes, stomach ulcer, suppression of growth in children, symptoms of diabetes, thin, fragile skin, tiny red or purplish spots on the skin, and vertigo. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Medrol? If Medrol is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Medrol with Aspirin, Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), Blood thinners (such as Coumadin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Estrogen medications (such as Premarin), Insulin, Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Indocin), Oral diabetes drugs (such as Glucotrol), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Rifampin (Rifadin), Troleandomycin (Tao), or Water pills (such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL). Are there any special warnings about Medrol? The 24-milligram Medrol tablet contains FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which has caused allergic reactions (including asthma) in some people. Although this is rare, it is more common in people who are sensitive to aspirin. Medrol can alter the way your body responds to unusual stress. If you are injured, need surgery, or develop an acute illness, inform your doctor. Your dosage may need to be increased. You should avoid immunization shots with live or live, attenuated vaccines while taking high doses of Medrol, because Medrol can suppress the immune system. Immunization with killed or inactivated vaccines is safe, but may have diminished effect. Long-term use of Medrol may cause cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections. Large doses of Medrol may cause high blood pressure, salt and water retention, and potassium and calcium loss. It may be necessary to restrict your salt intake and take a potassium supplement. Medrol may reactivate dormant cases of tuberculosis. If you have inactive tuberculosis and must take Medrol for an extended period of time, your doctor will prescribe anti-TB medication as well. Medrol should be used cautiously if you have an underactive thyroid, liver cirrhosis, or herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye. This medication may aggravate existing emotional problems or cause new ones. You may experience euphoria and difficulty sleeping, mood swings, or mental problems. If you have any changes in mood, contact your doctor. People taking corticosteroids, such as Medrol, have developed Kaposi's sarcoma, a form of cancer. Medrol should also be taken with caution if you have any of the following conditions: Diverticulitis or other inflammatory conditions of the intestine, High blood pressure, Certain kidney diseases, Active or dormant peptic ulcer, Myasthenia gravis, Osteoporosis, Threadworm, or Ulcerative colitis with impending danger of infection. Long-term use of Medrol can slow the growth and development of infants and children. Use aspirin cautiously with Medrol if you have a blood-clotting disorder. Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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