Product Description
Methylprednisolone works by binding to glucocorticoid receptors within cells, triggering a cascade of events that ultimately reduce inflammation. It suppresses the immune system by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals, reducing the activity of immune cells, and decreasing the body's response to allergens.
Uses:
Methylprednisolone 4mg tablets are indicated for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Endocrine Disorders:
- Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (replacement therapy)
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Nonsuppurative thyroiditis
- Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
- Rheumatic Disorders:
- Adjunctive therapy for short-term management of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, tenosynovitis, psoriatic arthritis, epicondylitis, and acute gouty arthritis
- Collagen Diseases:
- Exacerbations or maintenance therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis), and acute rheumatic carditis
- Dermatologic Diseases:
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Pemphigus
- Severe psoriasis
- Allergic States:
- Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to conventional treatment, such as seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, serum sickness, contact dermatitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis
- Ophthalmic Diseases:
- Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, including allergic corneal marginal ulcers, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, anterior segment inflammation, uveitis, chorioretinitis, keratitis, optic neuritis, allergic conjunctivitis, and iritis
- Respiratory Diseases:
- Symptomatic sarcoidosis
- Berylliosis
- Loeffler's syndrome
- Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (used concurrently with antituberculous chemotherapy)
- Aspiration pneumonitis
- Hematologic Disorders:
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults
- Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults
- Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia
- Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia)
- Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
- Neoplastic Diseases:
- Palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas in adults and acute leukemia in childhood
- Edematous States:
- To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome without uremia
- Gastrointestinal Diseases:
- To tide the patient over a critical period of ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis
- Nervous System:
- Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis
- Miscellaneous:
- Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block (used concurrently with antituberculous chemotherapy)
- Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement
Important Precautions:
- Infections: Corticosteroids can mask signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. They can also decrease resistance to infections and impair the body's ability to localize infection.
- Stress: Patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress require increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation.
- Pregnancy: The use of methylprednisolone during pregnancy requires careful consideration of the potential benefits versus risks to the mother and fetus. Infants born to mothers who received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be monitored for signs of hypoadrenalism.
- Vaccination: Live or live-attenuated vaccines are contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered, but the response may be diminished.
- Tuberculosis: Methylprednisolone should be used with caution in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, as reactivation of the disease may occur.
- Psychiatric Effects: Psychic derangements, including euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression, can occur with corticosteroid use. Existing emotional instability or psychotic tendencies may be aggravated.
- Gastrointestinal Effects: Long-term use of corticosteroids can increase the risk of peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Bone Effects: Corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of bone, and delayed wound healing.
- Ocular Effects: Prolonged use can lead to posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma, and increased susceptibility to secondary ocular infections.
- Other Precautions: Dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, ocular herpes simplex, or systemic sclerosis.
Important Note:
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. They can provide you with personalized guidance based on your specific health needs and medical history.
