Medrol (pak)

Information on Medrol (pak)

Disp Pack
Chemical Name: METHYLPREDNISOLONE (meth-ill-pred-NISS-oh-lone)

Common uses
This medicine is a corticosteroid used to treat severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, and skin conditions. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking mifepristone. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking aspirin, barbiturates, cyclosporine, licorice (glycyrrhiza), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), indomethacin, estrogen (e.g., birth control pills), ketoconazole, rifampin, troleandomycin, or medicine for seizures. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a fungal infection in the body. Inform your doctor of any medical conditions including heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, HIV infection, high blood pressure, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, herpes eye infection, low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), diabetes, tuberculosis, mental/mood disorders, seizures, recent infection, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. The directions for taking this medicine properly are also on the package. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Taking it with food may help to decrease the chance of stomach upset. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about how you should take this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. For all other dosing regimens: if you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Your dosing schedule may need to be adjusted.

Cautions
DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause serious side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. CORTICOSTEROIDS MAY LOWER YOUR ABILITY TO FIGHT INFECTION or may cause infections to be more severe. The risk may be greater if you take them for a long time. Avoid contact with people who have infections such as colds, chickenpox, measles, or tuberculosis (TB). Tell your doctor right away if you have contact with anyone who has these infections. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your risk of infection. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while you are taking this medicine include difficulty sleeping, nervousness, increased appetite, indigestion, or nausea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience bone problems (such as bone pain, or broken or fractured bones); chronic back pain; changes in menstrual periods; headache; muscle aches or weakness; fever, cold, or prolonged sore throat; vision changes or other eye problems; or unusual weight gain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience swelling of feet, hands, or legs; black, tarry stools; mood, mental, or personality changes; seizures; severe muscle pain or weakness; skin growths; severe nausea or vomiting; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information
Patients taking this medicine for long-term therapy should carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies the possible need of supplemental steroids during periods of stress. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2008. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.