Sometimes you may have seen your doctor decide to give you a strong injection for a severe asthma attack, a severe allergic reaction that has spread throughout your body, or a joint pain that has been bothering you for a long time. One very powerful drug used in such cases is methylprednisolone. This is a steroid type of drug. Although many people are afraid of the word "steroids", when these are used correctly and according to medical advice, they can even help save lives. So today, let's talk about this drug in simple terms.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, methylprednisolone is a synthetic drug that acts like a natural hormone in our body. This does three main things.
1. Reduces Inflammation in the Body: Imagine that one of your joints is swollen, red, and painful. That's what we call inflammation. This medicine controls the reactions that cause that swelling, redness, and pain.
2. Controls an overactive immune system: In some diseases, for example, severe allergic reactions, our body's defense system starts to work excessively. This can harm us. This medicine controls that overactivity and calms the body.
3. Replaces the body's cortisol hormone: Cortisol is an essential hormone that helps our body cope with stress, illness, and danger. In some medical conditions, the production of this hormone in the body decreases. Then this medicine is given to compensate for that deficiency.
For these reasons, doctors use this medicine for a variety of medical conditions.
- Asthma
- Severe allergic reactions
- Joint diseases like arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Some diseases related to the blood or bone marrow
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
This is very important. Before giving you this medicine, it is essential that your doctor knows your complete health history. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Your situation | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | This medicine can increase blood sugar levels. |
| High blood pressure | Blood pressure may rise further. |
| Heart disease | May affect heart function. |
| Eye diseases (Glaucoma, etc.) | May increase eye pressure or affect vision. |
| Current infections – especially viral infections such as chickenpox and herpes | This medicine may worsen the infection. |
| Liver disease | The way the liver processes the medicine may be affected. |
| Mental illness | It is possible to cause changes in mental status. |
| Osteoporosis | Long-term use can further weaken bones. |
| Stomach/intestine problems | Increases the risk of stomach ulcers. |
| Recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccine | The effectiveness of vaccines may be affected. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should discuss the possible effects on the fetus with your doctor. |
| Breastfeeding | It is necessary to discuss whether the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. Methylprednisolone is a medicine that is only given by a doctor or trained nurse in a hospital or clinic .
- This is often given as an injection into a vein .
- Sometimes it is slowly introduced into the body through a saline infusion .
- Or you can give it as an injection into a muscle .
If you give this medicine to children, you need to be especially careful about it. The doctor will make decisions about it.
What if you accidentally overdose?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you feel that the dose of the medicine has been increased, you should inform the medical team immediately. Usually, you are under observation, so there is nothing to worry about. If you encounter any problems outside the hospital, go to the nearest ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) immediately. Also, if necessary, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, as some medications can interact with methylprednisolone and cause problems.
| Type of medicine | Description |
|---|---|
| Do not take Methylprednisolone with these. | |
| Live virus vaccines | There is a risk of severe infection. |
| Mifepristone | Steroids make the medicine less effective. |
| If you are using these, inform your doctor. | |
| Aspirin and NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Naproxen) | Increases the risk of stomach bleeding. |
| Medications for diabetes | The dose may need to be adjusted as blood sugar levels may change. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | The risk of bleeding may vary. |
| Some antibiotics, antifungals, and epilepsy medications | These can affect the way methylprednisolone works. |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements you take.
Things to consider when taking medication
The most important thing is, do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without medical advice. Doing so may cause a severe withdrawal reaction. You should gradually reduce the dose as your doctor tells you.
- Risk of infection: Your immune system becomes slightly weaker when you take this medicine. So you can get infections easily. Stay away from people who have illnesses like chickenpox and measles. Tell your doctor if you have any sores that don't heal, fever, or cough.
- Blood sugar: If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly, as this medicine may increase your blood sugar levels.
- Vision changes: If you experience blurred vision or eye pain, tell your doctor immediately.
- Bone Health: There is a risk of osteoporosis when using this medication for a long time. Talk to your doctor about this and take calcium and vitamin D if necessary.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this one can have side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Watch out for the symptoms below.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of Cushing syndrome | Fat accumulation in areas such as the stomach, neck, and upper back, pink/purple stretch marks on the skin, and thin skin that bruises easily. |
| Increased blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Thirst more than usual, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Mental and behavioral changes | Anxiety, agitation, mental confusion, severe anger, depression. |
| Stomach bleeding | Black or tarry stools, vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds. |
| Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet | It can occur due to fluid retention in the body. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (tell your doctor if they are bothersome) | |
| Acne | Headache |
| Increased appetite | Weight gain |
| Trouble sleeping | Nausea |
If you notice anything unusual that isn't on this list, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it too.
Take-Home Message
- Methylprednisolone is a powerful steroid injection given for a variety of medical conditions.
- Before taking this medicine, you should tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid stopping this medication suddenly without medical advice.
- While taking the medication, watch for signs of infection, high blood sugar levels, and mental changes.
- If any severe or unusual side effects occur, inform your doctor immediately.
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