- Used as a preventive for asthma attacks
- Used to treat allergic reactions or to prevent them
- Treats nausea and vomiting post-chemotherapy
- Used in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases
- Used in certain cancer conditions
Solu-Medrol is the brand name for the generic drug Methylprednisolone which is manufactured by Pfizer. It is available as tablets as well as injections which come in preservative-free as well as preservative formulations. The tablets are available in strengths of 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, 32 mg. The preservative-free injections come in 40 mg, 125 mg, 500 mg and 1 g single use vials. The injections with preservatives come in single use vials of 40 mg, 125 mg, 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g with diluents, 500 mg Act-O-Vial and 1 g Act-O-Vial.
Indications
Solu-Medrol is indicated in a wide range of conditions. It is used to prevent the severity of an asthma attack as well as in other respiratory conditions. It is also used in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and to treat the symptoms of lupus. It is an effective drug for post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. It is also used in the treatment of lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma to ease the symptoms. It is sometimes used to stimulate the appetite of cancer patients and to treat any reactions after a bone marrow transplant.
Action
The drug is a steroid and it acts on the substances in the body that produce inflammation. When the inflammation is reduced, it tends to ease the severity of most ailments.
Side Effects
Very few people who are prescribed this drug experience side effects and in most of them who do, the effects are minor and may disappear after a few days of using the drug. The minor side effects would be insomnia, fluid retention, especially in the ankles, an increased appetite and slight irritability. You could also experience heartburn and slight nausea. The more serious side effects are dizziness, headaches, mood swings and depression, irregular heartbeat, weight gain, shortness of breath, menstrual cycle changes and dark or bloody stools. There could be long term complications for some too, like thinning of the bone, cataracts, vision problems and seizures.
Caution
You will have to tell your doctor about any allergies that you have, especially if it is to any medication you have taken in the past. You will also need to tell him what medication, vitamins or supplements you are taking and also if there is a history of alcohol, drug or tobacco use. He will also want to know whether you are suffering from any ailment or condition. You will have to inform him if you have high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, epilepsy or seizures, ulcerative colitis, depression, liver, kidney or cardiac diseases.
Contraindications
This drug is contraindicated if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body and you should not take any live vaccine while you are on it. Steroids tend to weaken your immunity so do take care not to go where there are infectious diseases. This is especially so in the case of measles or chicken pox which could cause serious complications. You should ideally carry a medical card with you stating that you are on this drug. The drug could make you feel sleepy so you should avoid using heavy machinery or driving. You will need to avoid alcohol while you are on this medication. You should not change the dosages without your doctor advising you to and on no account stop the medication suddenly.