Endocrine Disorders: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Nonsuppurative thyroiditis, Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Rheumatic Disorders: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode orexacerbation) in: Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy), Ankylosing spondylitis, Acute and subacute bursitis, Synovitis of osteoarthritis, Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Epicondylitis, Acute gouty arthritis
Collagen Diseases: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis), 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 adequate trials of conventional treatment: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, Drug hypersensitivity reactions, Serum sickness, Contact dermatitis, Bronchial asthma, Atopic dermatitis
Ophthalmic Diseases: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: Allergic corneal marginal ulcers, Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, Anterior segment inflammation, Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, Sympathetic ophthalmia, Keratitis, Optic neuritis, Allergic conjunctivitis Chorioretinitis, Iritis and iridocyclitis
Respiratory Diseases: Symptomatic sarcoidosis, Berylliosis, Loeffler’s syndrome not manageable by other means, Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate 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: For palliative management of: Leukemias and lymphomas in adults, Acute leukemia of childhood
Edematous States: To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.
Gastrointestinal Diseases: To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: Ulcerative colitis, Regional enteritis
CNS System: Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

Glucocorticoids

Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.

The initial dosage of Methyl Prednisolone Tablets may vary from 4 mg to 48 mg of Methyl Prednisolone per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity lower doses will generally suffice while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, Methyl Prednisolone should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. It should be emphasized that dosage requirements are variable and must be individualized on the basis of the disease under treatment and the response of the patient. After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient’s individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment; in this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of Methylprednisolone for a period of time consistent with the patient’s condition. If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly.

Multiple Sclerosis: In treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis daily doses of 200 mg of prednisolone for a week followed by 80 mg every other day for 1 month have been shown to be effective (4 mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisolone).

Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Rifampin and Ketoconazole inhibit the metabolism of Methylprednisolone. Estrogens including birth control pills, can increase the effect of corticosteroids by 50 %. Cyclosporin reduces the metabolism of Methylprednisolone while Methylprednisolone reduces the metabolism of Cyclosporin. Methylprednisolone may increase or decrease the effect of blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin). For all these interactions, the dose of Methylprednisolone may need to be lowered.

Systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components.

Short courses of Methylprednisolone are usually well-tolerated with few, mild side effects. Long term, high doses of Methylprednisolone may produce predictable and potentially serious side effects. Whenever possible, the lowest effective doses of Methylprednisolone should be used for the shortest length of time to minimize side effects. Alternate day dosing also can help reduce side effects. Side effects of Methylprednisolone and other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible body damage. Side effects include fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium loss, headache, muscle weakness, hair growth on the face, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, growth retardation in children, convulsions and psychic disturbances including depression, euphoria, insomnia etc. Prolonged use of Methylprednisolone can depress the ability of the body’s adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids. Abruptly stopping Methylprednisolone in these individuals can cause symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency with accompanying nausea, vomiting, and even shock. Therefore, withdrawal of Methylprednisolone usually is accomplished by gradually lowering the dose. Gradually tapering Methylprednisolone not only minimizes the symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency, it also reduces the risk of an abrupt flare of the disease being treated.

Pregnancy category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there is no controlled studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Methylprednisolone has not been adequately evaluated in nursing mothers.

Adrenocortical insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period, hormone therapy should be reinstituted. Since mineralocorticoid secretion may be impaired, salt and/or a mineralocorticoid should be administered concurrently. There is an enhanced effect of corticosteroids on patients with hypothyroidism and in those with cirrhosis. Corticosteroids should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothombinemia. Growth and development of infants and children on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should be carefully observed.

Store in a cool dry place, away from light. Keep out of reach of children