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Methylprednisolone (injection)

Generic name: methylprednisolone (injection) [ METH-il-pred-NIS-oh-lone ]
Brand names: DEPO-Medrol, SOLU-Medrol, A-Methapred injection
Dosage forms: injectable powder for injection (1 g; 1 g preservative-free; 125 mg; 125 mg preservative-free; 2 g; 40 mg; 40 mg preservative-free; 500 mg; 500 mg preservative-free), ... show all 2 dosage forms
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 16, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is methylprednisolone?

Methylprednisolone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, allergic disorders, gland (endocrine) disorders, and conditions that affect the skin, eyes, lungs, stomach, nervous system, or blood cells.

Methylprednisolone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Methylprednisolone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methylprednisolone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Methylprednisolone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using methylprednisolone.

Common side effects of methylprednisolone may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You may not be able to receive a methylprednisolone injection if you have a fungal infection.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with methylprednisolone if you are allergic to it. You may not be able to receive a methylprednisolone injection if you have a fungal infection.

Methylprednisolone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It is not known whether methylprednisolone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using methylprednisolone.

How is methylprednisolone given?

Methylprednisolone is injected into a muscle or soft tissue, into a skin lesion, into the space around a joint, or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Call your doctor if you have any signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

If you have major surgery or a severe injury or infection, your methylprednisolone dose needs may change. Make sure any doctor caring for you knows you are using this medicine.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need medical tests and vision exams.

Otezla, Vumerity, Kesimpta, Avonex, Cimzia, Stelara, acetaminophen, gabapentin, aspirin, albuterol

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your methylprednisolone injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving methylprednisolone?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using methylprednisolone. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using methylprednisolone.

What other drugs will affect methylprednisolone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect methylprednisolone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Does methylprednisolone interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Popular FAQ

Does methylprednisolone help with COVID?

Use of methylprednisolone for COVID is associated with less short-term mortality (<28 days), less ICU admission and requirement for mechanical ventilation, more ventilator-free days, and no significant increase in the risk of secondary infections. Continue reading

What are steroid injections (cortisone shots)?

Steroid injections (corticosteroid injections/cortisone shots) are injections given by a healthcare professional directly into joints or other areas of the body to relieve symptoms such as pain, inflammation, or restricted movement. They are commonly used to treat shoulder and other joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, back pain, or arthritis or to manage conditions such as sciatica, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin conditions such as psoriasis. Examples include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, and methylprednisolone. Continue reading

Why is Yonsa taken with methylprednisolone?

Yonsa is used in combination with methylprednisolone to treat advanced prostate cancer because methylprednisolone helps to prevent the side effects of Yonsa caused by mineralocorticoid excess.

Treatment with Yonsa can cause mineralocorticoid excess, which can result in side effects such as hypertension (high blood pressure), hypokalemia (low potassium) and fluid retention. Continue reading

More FAQ

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.