Methylprednisolone
Encyclopedia
Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid
or corticosteroid drug. It is marketed in the USA and Canada under the brand names Medrol and Solu-Medrol. It is also available as a generic drug
.
It is a variant of prednisolone
, methylated at carbon 6 of the B ring.
effects. However, glucocorticoids have a wide range of effects, including changes to metabolism and immune responses. The list of medical conditions for which methylprednisolone is prescribed is rather long, and is similar to other corticosteroid
s such as prednisolone
. Common uses include arthritis
therapy and short-term treatment of bronchial inflammation
or acute bronchitis due to various respiratory diseases. It is used both in the treatment of acute periods and long-term management of autoimmune disease
s, most notably Systemic lupus erythematosus
. Also for use as a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis.
Methylprednisolone is also prescribed for nonpenetrating spinal cord injuries. It has been shown that a dose of 30 mg/kg IV followed by IV drip at 5.4 mg/kg/hr for 23 hours improves sensory and motor recovery if given within eight hours of the injury.
Methylprednisolone can be injected into the spinal cord by pain management specialists for the treatment of chronic pain caused by injuries or osteoarthritis.
It is also used for vestibular neuritis.
, osteoporosis
and psychosis
, especially when used at high dosage. The most serious side effect occurs after the adrenal glands cease natural production of cortisol
, which methylprednisolone will replace. Abrupt cessation of the drug after this occurs can result in a condition known as Addisonian crisis, which can be fatal. To prevent this, the drug is usually prescribed with a tapering dosage, including a pre-dosed "dose pack" detailing a specific number of pills to take at designated times over a several-day period. Pharmacists sometimes advise that this drug can cause sleeplessness and "down" moods.
Glucocorticoid
Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor , which is present in almost every vertebrate animal cell...
or corticosteroid drug. It is marketed in the USA and Canada under the brand names Medrol and Solu-Medrol. It is also available as a generic drug
Generic drug
A generic drug is a drug defined as "a drug product that is comparable to brand/reference listed drug product in dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics, and intended use." It has also been defined as a term referring to any drug marketed under its...
.
It is a variant of prednisolone
Prednisolone
Prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone, which is also used as a drug.-Uses:Prednisolone is a corticosteroid drug with predominant glucocorticoid and low mineralocorticoid activity, making it useful for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions such as...
, methylated at carbon 6 of the B ring.
Uses
Like most adrenocortical steroids, methylprednisolone is typically used for its anti-inflammatoryAnti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system....
effects. However, glucocorticoids have a wide range of effects, including changes to metabolism and immune responses. The list of medical conditions for which methylprednisolone is prescribed is rather long, and is similar to other corticosteroid
Corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte...
s such as prednisolone
Prednisolone
Prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone, which is also used as a drug.-Uses:Prednisolone is a corticosteroid drug with predominant glucocorticoid and low mineralocorticoid activity, making it useful for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions such as...
. Common uses include arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
therapy and short-term treatment of bronchial inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
or acute bronchitis due to various respiratory diseases. It is used both in the treatment of acute periods and long-term management of autoimmune disease
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. This may be restricted to...
s, most notably Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
. Also for use as a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis.
Methylprednisolone is also prescribed for nonpenetrating spinal cord injuries. It has been shown that a dose of 30 mg/kg IV followed by IV drip at 5.4 mg/kg/hr for 23 hours improves sensory and motor recovery if given within eight hours of the injury.
Methylprednisolone can be injected into the spinal cord by pain management specialists for the treatment of chronic pain caused by injuries or osteoarthritis.
It is also used for vestibular neuritis.
Side effects
Methylprednisolone has some serious side effects if taken long-term, including weight gain, glaucomaGlaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
, osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
and psychosis
Psychosis
Psychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"...
, especially when used at high dosage. The most serious side effect occurs after the adrenal glands cease natural production of cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
, which methylprednisolone will replace. Abrupt cessation of the drug after this occurs can result in a condition known as Addisonian crisis, which can be fatal. To prevent this, the drug is usually prescribed with a tapering dosage, including a pre-dosed "dose pack" detailing a specific number of pills to take at designated times over a several-day period. Pharmacists sometimes advise that this drug can cause sleeplessness and "down" moods.
External links
- Medrol Prescribing Information PfizerPfizerPfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Drug Information Portal - Methylprednisolone