Methylprednisolone belongs to a class of medications called glucocorticoids. It works by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation to treat various diseases. It can be used to treat, but not limited to, hematologic diseases (immune thrombocytopenia), allergies (dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity, rhinitis, asthma), gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), rheumatic diseases (gout, rheumatoid arthritis), neurologic diseases (multiple sclerosis) and other many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Methylprednisolone may exist in different salt forms, which would vary the routes of administration. Methylprednisolone alone can be taken orally as tablets. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate can be injected intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM), while Methylprednisolone acetate is for intramuscular (IM), intra-articular, intralesional, or soft tissue injections as suspension.
Listed below are only the usual dosage ranges, in which a specific dose is determined based on clinical judgement.
Acute exacerbation of asthma:
Oral, intravenous: 40-60 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses for 3-10 days.
Acute gout attack:
Oral: 24-32 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses for 2-5 days.
Intra-articular: 10-40 mg as a single dose, based on the size of the joint.
Intramuscular: 40-60 mg as a single dose.
Anaphylaxis
Intravenous: 40-125 mg as a single dose.
Acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis:
Intravenous: 500-1000mg daily for 3-7 days.
Gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis):
Intravenous: 40-60 mg/day.
Common side effects of Methylprednisolone include atrophy of skin, impaired wound healing, oedema, decreased body growth in children, peptic ulcer disease, muscle weakness, cataract, depression, euphoria, congestive heart failure, or seizure.
Common dosing schedule:
For oral Methylprednisolone, it should be taken with food or milk in the morning.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Methylprednisolone may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Methylprednisolone is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Methylprednisolone in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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