Depo-Medrol Suspension

Depo-Medrol Suspension is used for:

Treating certain conditions associated with decreased adrenal gland function. It is also used to treat severe inflammation due to certain conditions, including severe asthma, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, certain blood disorders, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and certain eye and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Depo-Medrol Suspension is a corticosteroid. It works by modifying the body's immune response and decreasing inflammation.

Do NOT use Depo-Medrol Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Depo-Medrol Suspension
• you are taking mifepristone
• you have a systemic fungal infection
• you are scheduled to have a smallpox vaccine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Depo-Medrol Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Depo-Medrol Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of bleeding problems, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, diabetes, seizures, an underactive thyroid, adrenal gland problems, or any mental or mood problems
• if you have recently had a fungal, bacterial, viral, or other type of infection; herpes infection of the eye; chickenpox; measles; or shingles
• if you have HIV infection or tuberculosis (TB), or if you have ever had a positive TB skin test
• if you have stomach problems (eg, ulcers), intestinal problems (eg, blockage, perforation, infection, unexplained diarrhea, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis), or inflammation of the esophagus, or you have had recent intestinal surgery
• if you have weak bones (eg, osteoporosis) or muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis)
• if you have had any recent vaccinations (eg, smallpox)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Depo-Medrol Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), lithium, or rifampin because they may decrease Depo-Medrol Suspension's effectiveness
• Aprepitant, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or troleandomycin because side effects, such as adrenal gland or nervous system problems (eg, seizures), may occur
• Aspirin, live vaccines, mifepristone, or ritodrine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Depo-Medrol Suspension

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Depo-Medrol Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Depo-Medrol Suspension:

Use Depo-Medrol Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Depo-Medrol Suspension is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Depo-Medrol Suspension at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Depo-Medrol Suspension. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Depo-Medrol Suspension if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Depo-Medrol Suspension, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Depo-Medrol Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Depo-Medrol Suspension may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Depo-Medrol Suspension before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Depo-Medrol Suspension may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are using Depo-Medrol Suspension.
• Lab tests, including adrenal function tests and blood pressure monitoring, may be performed while you use Depo-Medrol Suspension. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Depo-Medrol Suspension contains benzyl alcohol, which has been associated with serious and sometimes fatal breathing problems in premature infants. Do NOT use Depo-Medrol Suspension in premature infants.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Depo-Medrol Suspension.
• Depo-Medrol Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Depo-Medrol Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Depo-Medrol Suspension is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Depo-Medrol Suspension, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Depo-Medrol Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; facial flushing; feeling of whirling motion; headache; increased sweating; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody, black, or tarry stools; changes in body fat; changes in menstrual period; chest pain; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased hunger, thirst, or urination; mental or mood changes; muscle pain, weakness, or wasting; seizures; severe nausea or vomiting; slow wound healing; stomach pain; sudden, severe dizziness or headache; swelling of the feet or legs; tendon, bone, or joint pain; thinning or discoloration of the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual skin sensation; unusual weight gain; vision changes or other eye problems; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fainting; fever; loss of appetite; low blood pressure; low blood sugar; muscle pain; nausea.

Depo-Medrol Suspension is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Depo-Medrol Suspension at home, store Depo-Medrol Suspension as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Depo-Medrol Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Depo-Medrol Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Depo-Medrol Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Depo-Medrol Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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