Brand name: Medrol (Prednisolone)
Pronounced: PEE-dee-uh-pred
Generic name: Prednisolone sodium phosphate
Why is Medrol (Prednisolone) prescribed?

Medrol (Prednisolone), a steroid drug, is used to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in a variety of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, acute gouty arthritis, and severe cases of asthma. It may be given to people to treat primary or secondary adrenal cortex insufficiency (lack of or insufficient adrenal cortical hormone in the body). It is also given to help treat the following disorders:

Blood disorders such as leukemia and various anemias
Certain cancers (along with other drugs)
Connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
Digestive tract diseases such as ulcerative colitis
Eye diseases of various kinds
Fluid retention due to nephrotic syndrome (a condition in which damage to the kidneys causes a loss of protein in the urine)
High blood levels of calcium associated with cancer
Lung diseases such as tuberculosis
Severe allergic conditions such as drug-induced allergic reactions
Severe skin eruptions

Studies have shown that high doses of Medrol (Prednisolone) are effective in controlling severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although they do not affect the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease.
Most important fact about Medrol (Prednisolone)

Medrol (Prednisolone) decreases your resistance to infection. It may also mask some of the signs and symptoms of an infection, which makes it difficult for a doctor to diagnose the actual problem.
How should you take Medrol (Prednisolone) WITHOUT a prescriptions?

Medrol (Prednisolone) may cause stomach upset and should be taken with food. Take Medrol (Prednisolone) exactly as prescribed.

If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Storage instructions Medrol (Prednisolone)

Store Medrol (Prednisolone) in a cool place, and keep the bottle tightly closed. This medication may be refrigerated.
Medrol (Prednisolone) side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Medrol (Prednisolone).

* Side effects may include:
Abnormal loss of bony tissue causing fragile bones, abnormal redness of the face, backbone break that collapses the spinal column, bruising, cataracts, convulsions, dizziness, excess growth of body or facial hair, feeling of illness, fluid retention (edema), fracture of long bones, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), headache, high blood pressure, hives, increased appetite, increased sweating, loss of muscle mass, menstrual irregularities, mental capacity changes, muscle disease, muscle weakness, nausea, peptic ulcer (stomach ulcer with possible bleeding), protrusion of eyeball, psychotic disorders, ruptured tendons, salt retention, slow growth in children, slow wound healing, sugar diabetes, swelling of the abdomen, thinning of the skin, vertigo, weight gain

Why should Medrol (Prednisolone) not be prescribed?

This drug should not be used for fungal infections within the body. Avoid it if it gives you an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about Medrol (Prednisolone)

You should not be vaccinated against smallpox while being treated with Medrol (Prednisolone). Avoid other immunizations as well, especially if you are taking Medrol (Prednisolone) in high doses, because of the possible hazards of nervous system complications and a lack of natural immune response.

Because Medrol (Prednisolone) reduces resistance to infection, people who have never had measles or chickenpox--or been vaccinated against them--should be careful to avoid exposure. These diseases can be severe, or even fatal, in people with lowered resistance.

Likewise, an ordinary case of threadworm or other intestinal parasites can grow into a grave emergency when the immune system is weak. Symptoms of threadworm include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect an infection, call your doctor immediately.

If you are taking Medrol (Prednisolone) and are subjected to unusual stress, notify your doctor. The drug reduces the function of your adrenal glands, and they may be unable to cope. Your doctor may therefore increase your dosage of this rapidly acting steroid before, during, and after the stressful situation.

Prolonged use of steroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts (a disorder under the envelope-like structure at the back of the eye that causes the lens to become less transparent) or the eye disease glaucoma, and may intensify additional eye infections due to fungi or viruses.Average and high doses of Medrol (Prednisol