INTRODUCTION
Solu-Medrol 500 contains Methylprednisolone which belongs to the group of medicines called corticosteroids. It is used to treat various inflammatory and allergic conditions affecting the adrenal glands (e.g. adrenocortical insufficiency), bones and joints (e.g. arthritis), collagen (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus), skin (e.g. psoriasis and dermatitis), lungs (e.g. asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis), eyes (e.g. uveitis, keratitis, neuritis, iritis), blood and lymph (e.g. anemia, leukemias and lymphomas), bowel (e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), brain (e.g. tuberculous meningitis) and muscle (e.g. dermatomyositis and polymyositis).
Corticosteroids are produced naturally in the body and are necessary for many body functions. Supplying your body with extra corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone can help your body in conditions associated with adrenal insufficiency. Solu-Medrol 500 acts by changing the expression of various genes and proinflammatory cytokines that results in inflammation. It also decreases the number of circulating lymphocytes and induces apoptosis in sensitive tumor cells.
Do not eat grapes or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without consulting your doctor, as it may result in withdrawal symptoms. While taking this medicine, inform your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of mental problems such as depression, anxiety, difficulty in thinking, confusion, memory loss, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts. Your doctor might lower your dose or think of an alternative treatment.
SOLU MEDROL is contraindicated in patients having any serious fungal infection. Consult your doctor before taking. Before taking this medicine inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, heart or stomach problems. If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor, because this medicine may affect the growth of the unborn baby and growing infants.
USES OF SOLU MEDROL
Treats various inflammatory and allergic conditions affecting the:
Adrenal glands (e.g. adrenocortical insufficiency, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hypercalcemia associated with cancer)
Bones and joints (e.g. arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
Collagen (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic dermatomyositis, acute rheumatic carditis)
Skin (e.g. dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, mycosis fungoides, severe psoriasis)
Lungs (e.g. allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, sarcoidosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, aspiration pneumonitis)
Eyes (e.g. sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitis and ocular inflammatory)
Blood and lymph (e.g. autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukemias and lymphomas)
Kidneys (e.g. remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome)
GI tract (e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Brain (e.g. multiple sclerosis, cerebral edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor and tuberculous meningitis)
Muscle (e.g. dermatomyositis and polymyositis)
Related Product
Solu-Medrol 125mg Injection
Solu-Medrol 500mg Injection
Solu-Medrol 1000mg Injection
HOW SOLU MEDROL WORKS
Methylprednisolone binds to the specific glucocorticoid receptors and alters the expression of various genes and proinflammatory cytokines which produces inflammation. It also acts as an immunosuppressant by decreasing the number of circulating lymphocytes and by inducing apoptosis in sensitive tumor cells. It also regulates the functions of adrenal glands and can help your body in conditions associated with adrenal insufficiency.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
SOLU MEDROL will be given to you only by a doctor or nurse into the vein (intravenous infusion), or muscle (intramuscular). Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, weight and health condition. Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results. Do not eat grapes or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS OF SOLU MEDROL
SERIOUS
Allergic reactions (such as skin rash, swelling of the face or difficulty in breathing)
Signs of pancreatitis (stomach pain spreading to your back, with vomiting, shock and loss of consciousness)
Signs of bleeding from ulcers (such as stomach pain, bleeding from the anus, black or bloodstained stools and/or vomiting of blood)
Signs of infections (such as fever, feeling unwell, coughing blood or chest pain)
Mental health problems (e.g., depression, mania, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, difficulty in thinking, confusion, memory loss, hallucinations)
Symptoms of raised pressure within the skull of children (such as headaches with vomiting, lack of energy and drowsiness)
Pulmonary embolus (blood clots in the lung)
Thrombophlebitis (blood clots in veins of leg)
COMMON
High blood pressure
Headache
Swelling of the hands, feet and ankles
Stomach ulcers
Muscle weakness, cramps or spasms
Brittle bones
Visual disturbances cataract
Slowing of growth in infants and children
Cushingoid facies (round or moon-shaped face)
Risk of infections, acne, bruising
Poor wound healing
Skin thinning
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Muscle pain or weakness:
Try to rest and relax. Avoid walking, running or exercising, as it may aggravate the pain. Keeping a heat pad on the affected region may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.
Acne:
Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate the skin. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Regularly use moisturizers to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better, speak to your doctor.
Headache:
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
SOLU MEDROL should be used with caution in pregnant women. Consult your doctor before taking.
BREASTFEEDING
SOLU MEDROL should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machines, because this medicine may cause such as dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbances or fatigue.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
KIDNEY
SOLU MEDROL should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
SOLU MEDROL should be taken with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
ALLERGY
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, cow’s milk or its components or other dairy products.
HEART DISEASE
SOLU MEDROL should be taken with caution in patients with severe heart disease such as heart attack or hypertension. Consult your doctor for advice.
OTHERS
Before taking SOLU MEDROL, inform your doctor if you:
Have any serious fungal infection
Have worm infestation (e.g. threadworm)
Have or had severe depression in the past
Are currently having diabetes or a family history of diabetes
Have fits or seizures
Have glaucoma or cataracts
Have viral infections
Have hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid)
Have pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas)
Have peritonitis (inflammation of peritoneum)
Have Cushing’s disease (caused by an excess of cortisol hormone)
Have brain injury
Have unusual stress
Have recently had or going to have any vaccination
Have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox, measles or shingles
Are going to undergo any surgery or dental procedures
INTERACTIONS
Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,
Medicines used to thin blood (e.g. acenocoumarol, phenindione and warfarin)
Medicines used to treat myasthenia gravis (e.g. distigmine and neostigmine)
Medicines used to treat tuberculosis (e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin and rifabutin)
Medicines used to treat other bacterial infections (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin and troleandomycin)
Medicines used to treat viral infections (e.g. ritonavir, indinavir)
Medicines used to treat diabetes (e.g. insulin, metformin)
Medicines used to treat mild to moderate pain (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen)
Medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin and primidone)
Medicines used to treat heartburn and acid indigestion (e.g. carbenoxolone and cimetidine)
Medicines which causes depletion of potassium (such as diuretics, amphotericin B, xanthenes or salbutamol, terbutaline)
Medicines used to treat heart problems (e.g. digoxin, diltiazem or mibefradil)
Acetazolamide (used to treat glaucoma and epilepsy)
Oral contraceptives (e.g. ethinylestridiol and norethisterone)
Pharmacokinetic enhancers (e.g. cobicistat) used for HIV infections
Ketoconazole or itraconazole (used for fungal infections)
Neuromuscular blocking agents (used to prevent paralysis) e.g. pancuronium or vecuronium
Vaccinations
