Medrol
Medrol is a medicine that helps reduce inflammation, swelling, redness, itching, and allergic symptoms in the body.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose. The usual starting dose is 4-48 mg daily, but it can be higher for some conditions (e.g., 200-1000 mg daily). Your doctor will adjust the dose based on how you respond to the medicine, always aiming for the lowest effective dose.
Method
Take the tablets as directed by your doctor. For short-term treatment, you may take it once a day following a specific schedule. For long-term treatment, your doctor might prescribe alternate-day therapy, meaning you take a double dose every other morning.
The maximum daily dose is determined by your doctor and can range from 4 mg up to 1000 mg, depending on your condition. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Possible Side Effects
- •Infections due to weakened immune system
- •Allergic reactions, including severe hypersensitivity reactions
- •Increased white blood cell count
- •Cushing's syndrome-like symptoms (e.g., weight gain, rounded face, fat on neck, muscle weakness, fragile skin), adrenal gland issues, and withdrawal symptoms when stopping treatment (e.g., loss of appetite, nausea, headache, muscle pain)
- •Excess body acidity, fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low potassium), changes in blood fats, decreased sugar tolerance, increased need for diabetes medications, fat lumps in unusual places, increased appetite (leading to weight gain)
- •Mood disorders (e.g., depression, euphoria, mood swings, psychological dependence, suicidal thoughts), psychotic disorders (e.g., mania, delusions, hallucinations), confusion, anxiety, abnormal behavior, insomnia, irritability.
- •Increased pressure in the skull with swollen optic nerve, seizures, memory loss, problems with thinking and learning, dizziness, headache.
- •Eye conditions (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease, protruding eyes, blurred vision), vertigo.
- •Heart failure (in vulnerable patients), increased blood clotting, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, skin warmth and redness.
- •Blood clot in the lungs, hiccups.
- •Stomach/gut ulcers (may rupture or bleed), bowel perforation, stomach bleeding, pancreatitis, inflammation of the esophagus, bloated stomach, abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, swelling (angioedema), increased hair growth, small skin bleeds, bruising, thin/fragile skin, redness, excessive sweating, stretch marks, rash, itching, hives, acne.
- •Muscle weakness, muscle pain, muscle wasting, bone loss (osteoporosis), bone death, abnormal fractures, nerve-related joint disease, joint pain, growth problems.
- •Crisis related to a tumor in the adrenal gland.
- •Irregular periods.
- •Poor wound healing, swelling, tiredness, general feeling of unwellness.
- •Increased liver enzymes.
- •Increased eye pressure, reduced tolerance to carbohydrates, low potassium levels, high calcium in urine, changes in blood test results, weakened skin test reactions.
- •Spinal compression fracture, tendon rupture.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Medrol if you are allergic to methylprednisolone or any other ingredient in this medicine, or if you have a fungal infection.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had problems with your thyroid, diabetes, severe mood changes, seizures, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), high eye pressure (glaucoma), heart failure, high blood pressure, blood clots, stomach ulcers, gut inflammation, liver or kidney problems, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, chickenpox, measles, or any other infection.
- This medicine can cause serious mental side effects like depression or suicidal thoughts. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these.
- Medrol can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to infections or worsening existing ones. Your doctor will monitor you carefully.
- Long-term use can cause eye problems like blurred vision. Contact your doctor if you notice any changes in your sight.
Show 3 more warnings
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter ones, and if you need a vaccination, as Medrol can interact with them.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
- Medrol can cause dizziness, vertigo, vision problems, or tiredness. If you experience these, do not drive or use machines.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider the risk of adverse effects of cortisone treatment. (updated 10.11.2025)