Methylprednisolone belongs to a class of steroid or corticosteroid medicine. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of various allergic reactions and inflammation in the body, including allergies, blood disorders, skin diseases, infections, and certain cancers, and preventing organ rejection after a transplant. The medicine works by inhibiting the release of substances that are responsible for causing inflammation (redness and swelling) and allergies. Take this medicine with food to avoid having an upset stomach.
Do not crush, chew or break the tablets. Swallow the whole tablet with water. Take the medicine as per the dosage and duration prescribed by the doctor. Do not skip the doses and complete the full course of the medicine. Some users may experience side effects such as weight gain, indigestion, problems sleeping (insomnia), restlessness, mild mood changes, and sweating. Contact your doctor if your side effects persist and do not get resolved with time. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the salt used in the medicine or similar medicine.
Contraindications for Methylprednisolone Tablets
It is advised not to take Methylprednisolone tablets if you have a medical history or are currently suffering from the below-mentioned health conditions. The list of contraindications with Methylprednisolone tablets is given following:
- underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism),
- have or had a recent vaccination
- Infections
- stomach ulcer
- ulcerative colitis (GI perforation)
- prematurity problems
- Tuberculosis
- hyperadrenocorticism (presence of an excess of adrenocortical hormones)
- hyperlipidemia (high levels of fats in the blood)
- liver disease or kidney failure
- myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness)
- Diabetes
- other heart diseases
Uses of Methylprednisolone Tablets
Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid, which is similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. The medication is used for its anti-inflammatory properties and prescribed for providing relief from the following mentioned health conditions:
- Allergies
- joint inflammation (arthritis)
- breathing problems (e.g., asthma)
- certain blood disorders
- collagen diseases (e.g., lupus)
- eye diseases (e.g., keratitis)
- cancer (e.g., leukemia)
- endocrine problems (e.g., adrenocortical insufficiency)
- intestinal problems (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
- swelling due to certain conditions
- skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis)
Side Effects of Methylprednisolone Tablets
There are mild to temporary side effects of Methylprednisolone Tablets that get resolved over time. The side effects vary in all the users and depend on the physiological condition and response to the medicine. If your side effects persist or get severe with time, immediately contact your doctor. The range of side effects noticed on using Methylprednisolone Tablets are mentioned following:
- upset stomach
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- insomnia
- restlessness
- depression
- anxiety
- acne
- increased hair growth
- easy bruising
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
Drug Interaction
Some drugs when taken together can react with each other and cause negative health effects. Therefore, do not take Methylprednisolone tablets with the following mentioned drugs:
- medicines used to treat tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin, isoniazid)
- blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, warfarin)
- antiepilepsy drugs (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- anticholinergics (e.g. amitriptyline)
- medicines used for myasthenia gravis (e.g. neostigmine)
- Antidiabetic medications (e.g. Insulin)
- HIV medications (e.g. cobicistat), sex hormones (e.g. estrogen)
- NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Diuretics (e.g. thiazides, furosemide, ethacrynic acid)
- medicines used to treat lung diseases or asthma (e.g. theophylline, salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol, formoterol)
- antibiotic used for fungal infection (e.g. amphotericin B)
Precautions and Warnings
- Do not take the Methylprednisolone tablets, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding your newborn.
- Avoid consuming alcohol with the medicine as it may increase the dizziness caused by Azithromycin tablets.
- Store the tablets in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. Carefully, dispose of expired and discarded medicines.
- Do not abruptly stop taking the medicine and complete the full course of the medicine.
- Methylprednisolone tablets should be used with caution in patients with liver disease or severe kidney disease.