- Used to treat the breathing problems of asthma
- Used to treat arthritis, joint pain, MS and edema in the brain
- Used in the treatment of blood diseases, eye ailments and skin problems
- Used to alleviate the symptoms of lymphoma and leukemia
- Used to treat colitis and allergies
Depo-medrol is the brand name of the generic drug Methylprednisolone which is manufactured by Pfizer. It is a glucocorticoid which is available in injectible vials of 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL and 80 mg/mL.
Indications
Depo-medrol is indicated to relieve the breathing problems of asthma. It is also used to treat and alleviate symptoms in a host of other ailments and conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, leukemia and lymphoma, eye problems, psoriasis, eczema, colitis and certain allergic reactions.
Action
Glucocorticoids are corticosteroid hormones that act against the body’s natural responses, decreasing swelling and allergic symptoms.
Side Effects
Many users do not get affected at all but there are some who experience side effects – some are very minor and some are severe so you will need to let the doctor know if you experience any. The minor ones are insomnia, swelling in the place where you got the injection, stomach upsets, increased appetite and weight gain, swelling of your feet and ankles, sore throat, cough and headaches. The more serious ones could be changes in your menstrual cycle, dizzy spells, bloody or dark colored stools, depression and mood swings, blurred or tunnel vision, seizures, growths on the skin, difficulty breathing, irregular or fast heartbeat, joint pains, increased hair growth and muscular weakness.
Caution
Before your doctor can prescribe this drug, you will have to give him your full medical history including any ailments that you might have had or have currently. You will need to inform him about all the medication you are taking and include the vitamins and supplements in this list as well, even if they are natural or herbal. You will also need to tell him about any family history of ailments like respiratory or other allergies. If you have taken steroids earlier and had a problem, you must let him know. Once you have been prescribed this drug, you will have to inform your doctor if there are any side effects so he can adjust the dosage or change the prescription. He will also tell you whether the side effects, if any, are minor and should be ignored till they pass. He will also need to know if you smoke or have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Contraindications
There are some drugs that you could be taking which could cause violent reactions when combined with this drug and this is why it is so important to tell your doctor about all the medication you are on. Steroids tend to lower the immunity in your system so you should be careful not to catch any infection or go too near people who are suffering from them. You need to be careful of this drug if you have a fungal infection so you need to talk to your doctor if you have one. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should ideally avoid it but if you have to take it, do be in constant touch with your doctor. Other conditions that could be contraindicated are high blood pressure, blood clots, cardiac complications, osteoporosis, TB or threadworms. You should be careful not to drive or work on heavy machinery because this drug could make you sleepy or dizzy. Do not change the dosage that the doctor has prescribed, even if you are feeling better and do not stop this medication suddenly.