Medrol Side Effects

Generic Name: Methylprednisolone

Please note - some side effects for Medrol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Medrol - for the consumer

Medrol

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 when using Medrol:

Acne; clumsiness; dizziness; facial flushing; feeling of whirling motion; general body discomfort; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; upset stomach.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in body fat; changes in menstrual periods; changes in skin color; chest pain; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); muscle pain, weakness, or wasting; seizures; severe nausea or vomiting; sudden severe dizziness or headache; swelling of feet or legs; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat); tendon or bone pain; thinning 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.

For the professional

Medrol

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances

• Sodium retention
• Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients
• Hypertension
• Fluid retention
• Potassium loss
• Hypokalemic alkalosis

Musculoskeletal

• Muscle weakness
• Loss of muscle mass
• Steroid myopathy
• Osteoporosis
• Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads
• Pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal

• Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
• Pancreatitis
• Abdominal distention
• Ulcerative esophagitis

Increases in alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT), and alkaline phosphatase have been observed following corticosteroid treatment. These changes are usually small, not associated with any clinical syndrome and are reversible upon discontinuation.

Dermatologic

• Impaired wound healing
• Petechiae and ecchymoses
• May suppress reactions to skin tests
• Thin fragile skin
• Facial erythema
• Increased sweating

Neurological

• Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually after treatment
• Convulsions
• Vertigo
• Headache

Endocrine

• Development of Cushingoid state
• Suppression of growth in children
• Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness
• Menstrual irregularities
• Decreased carbohydrate tolerance
• Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus
• Increased requirements of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics

Ophthalmic

• Posterior subcapsular cataracts
• Increased intraocular pressure
• Glaucoma
• Exophthalmos

Metabolic

• Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

The following additional reactions have been reported following oral as well as parenteral therapy: Urticaria and other allergic, anaphylactic or hypersensitivity reactions.

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