If you have a condition related to your immune system, you may be interested in learning more about methylprednisolone. It’s a generic prescription drug used to treat several conditions, including:
- endocrine disorders, such as adrenocortical insufficiency
- certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis
- collagen disorders, such as lupus and systemic dermatomyositis
- skin conditions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis
- allergic conditions, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic reactions from drugs
Methylprednisolone comes as a tablet that you swallow. It also comes in an injectable form, but only the tablet form is covered in this article.
This article describes methylprednisolone’s side effects. For more information about methylprednisolone, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their methylprednisolone treatment. Examples of methylprednisolone’s commonly reported side effects include:
- nausea and vomiting
- high blood pressure
- infection*
- weight gain*
- headache*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section below.
Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with methylprednisolone include:
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- irregular menstrual periods
- thinning skin
- dizziness
- increased sweating
- nausea and vomiting
- weight gain*
- headache*
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using methylprednisolone. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking methylprednisolone unless your doctor recommends it.
Methylprednisolone may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
It’s possible that methylprednisolone may cause serious side effects in some people.
Serious side effects that have been reported with methylprednisolone include:
- high blood pressure
- weakened bones, which can lead to bone fractures
- rupture of your ankle tendon
- stomach ulcer (which can cause stomach pain)
- swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
- low potassium levels
- wounds that won’t heal or heal slowly
- pain in your legs, hips, back, ribs, shoulders, or arms
- diabetes
- mood changes, such as depression or anxiety
- eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts
- infection*
- severe allergic reaction†
If you develop serious side effects while taking methylprednisolone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using methylprednisolone. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with methylprednisolone, visit MedWatch.
Most of methylprednisolone’s side effects are the same in children as in adults. One difference is that methylprednisolone may suppress growth in children who take this drug. This risk is higher if your child takes methylprednisolone long term, takes higher doses, or both.
If your child’s doctor prescribes methylprednisolone, they’ll likely monitor their growth while they’re taking this medication.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about methylprednisolone’s side effects.
Is the risk of side effects with methylprednisolone 4-mg, or the 4-mg dose pack, different than with other strengths?
It depends. Some mild side effects of methylprednisolone, such as nausea or headache, can happen with any dose. With other side effects, the risk is higher if you take higher doses or take this medication long term.
For example, taking higher doses of methylprednisolone increases your risk of high blood pressure. And eye-related side effects are more likely if you take this medication long term.
So, your risk of certain side effects may be lower with methylprednisolone 4 milligrams (mg) than with higher strengths.
If you have other questions about the risk of side effects with different methylprednisolone doses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Will I experience side effects after stopping methylprednisolone?
It’s possible. Stopping methylprednisolone suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency. With this condition, your body doesn’t make enough cortisol (a hormone that helps you deal with stress). You have a higher risk of adrenal insufficiency if you take higher doses of methylprednisolone, take the medication long term, or both.
To reduce the risk of this side effect, your doctor will likely decrease your dose gradually when you want to stop taking methylprednisolone.
It’s important to take methylprednisolone exactly as your doctor prescribes it. And don’t stop taking it without first talking with your doctor.
How do side effects of methylprednisolone oral tablet compare to those of its injection forms?
Many side effects of the methylprednisolone oral tablet and the injection form are similar. But with the injectable form, you may have injection site reactions. This is not a side effect of the tablet.
Examples of reactions that may happen at or around the site of injection include:
- pain
- swelling
- redness or discoloration
- bruising
If you have other questions about the risk of side effects with either the methylprednisolone tablets or injections, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is weight loss a side effect of methylprednisolone?
No. Weight loss was not reported as a side effect in studies of methylprednisolone.
On the other hand, weight gain was a commonly reported side effect in studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about weight changes with methylprednisolone.
Learn more about some of the side effects methylprednisolone may cause.
Weight gain
Some people taking methylprednisolone may gain weight. This is a common side effect of corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone. This is because corticosteroids can increase your appetite, which may lead to weight gain.
Weight gain with this medication is more common if you take high doses, take the drug long term, or both. Methylprednisolone can also make it hard for your body to get rid of salt and water. This may lead to bloating and weight gain.
Hormone changes caused by methylprednisolone may also increase the amount of fat in your face and belly, which may cause weight gain.
What might help
To reduce your risk of weight gain, your doctor will likely prescribe methylprednisolone at the lowest dose and for the shortest time that will treat your condition. Be sure to take this medication exactly as your doctor prescribes it.
Avoiding salty, fatty, and processed foods may help you manage your weight while taking methylprednisolone. And increasing your physical activity may help as well.
If you have concerns about weight gain while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor.
Headache
It’s possible to have headache while taking methylprednisolone. It’s not known how common this side effect was in studies of the drug.
In most cases, headaches caused by methylprednisolone should be mild.
What might help
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help relieve mild headaches. But talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications. They can tell you if they’re safe to take with methylprednisolone or your condition.
If you have frequent or severe headaches while taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause of your headaches and recommend treatment options.
Infection
Taking methylprednisolone can weaken your immune system, which increases your risk of infection.
In studies of methylprednisolone, the risk of infection was higher in people who took higher doses of methylprednisolone. The risk is also higher if you take other medications that may weaken your immune system.
Infections with methylprednisolone may happen anywhere in your body. And they can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
Symptoms of infection can include:
- fever
- diarrhea
- chills
- fatigue (low energy)
- weakness
- nausea
What might help
If you have symptoms of infection while taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor. They can order lab tests to check whether you have an infection. If they confirm that you have an infection, they’ll treat it with medication. They may also have you stop taking methylprednisolone while they treat your infection.
Because this drug weakens your immune system, you should avoid coming into contact with people who are sick or who’ve recently been sick. This includes people who have chickenpox, measles, or the flu.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, methylprednisolone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.
Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
- an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to methylprednisolone, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to methylprednisolone, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your methylprednisolone treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how it affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how X drug affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Methylprednisolone may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether methylprednisolone is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting methylprednisolone. Factors to consider include those described below.
Mood changes. Methylprednisolone can cause mood changes, including depression or anxiety. If you already have these conditions, this drug may worsen them. If you’ve had problems with mood changes in the past, methylprednisolone may cause them to reoccur. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you’ve had mood conditions before. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Infection. Methylprednisolone can weaken your immune system, which may increase your risk of infection and make it harder for your body to fight infection. Let your doctor know if you have any infections before starting methylprednisolone treatment. They may want to treat your infection before or during your methylprednisolone treatment.
Underactive thyroid. If you have underactive thyroid, you may have a higher risk of side effects from methylprednisolone. Let your doctor know if you have this condition before starting methylprednisolone treatment. They may start your treatment at a lower dose.
Liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis (scarring) may increase your risk of side effects from methylprednisolone. Before starting methylprednisolone treatment, tell your doctor if you have liver problems. They’ll determine whether this mediation is safe for you.
Stomach ulcer. Methylprednisolone may cause stomach ulcers. If you already have this condition, methylprednisolone may worsen it. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you to take.
Diabetes. Methylprednisolone may affect your blood sugar and in some case, it may cause diabetes. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before starting methylprednisolone treatment. They may have you test your blood sugar more often while you’re taking methylprednisolone.
Heart problems. Methylprednisolone can cause high blood pressure. It could also make it hard for your body to get rid of and salt and water. These side effects may increase your risk of heart problems or worsen any heart condition you already have. Before starting methylprednisolone treatment, talk with your doctor about any heart condition you have. They’ll let you know if this drug is safe for you.
Eye problems. Methylprednisolone can cause eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you already have these eye conditions, taking methylprednisolone may worsen them. Before starting methylprednisolone treatment, tell your doctor if you have any eye problems. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe methylprednisolone. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
Systemic sclerosis. Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, can increase the risk of scleroderma renal crisis in people who have systemic sclerosis. Scleroderma renal crisis is a life-threatening kidney condition. Before you start taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor if you have systemic sclerosis. They’ll let you know if this medication is safe for you to take.
Alcohol and methylprednisolone
There are no known interactions between alcohol and methylprednisolone. But keep in mind that alcohol and methylprednisolone can cause some of the same side effects, such as headache or dizziness. Combining methylprednisolone with alcohol raises your risk of these side effects or may worsen any side effects that you experience.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol may also raise your risk of a stomach ulcer, which is a side effect of methylprednisolone. So, drinking excessively while taking this drug could raise your risk of a stomach ulcer even more.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor to learn how much, if any, is safe for you to consume with methylprednisolone.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking methylprednisolone
It’s not known if methylprednisolone is safe to take while pregnant. There haven’t been enough studies done on this drug’s use during pregnancy to know if it’s safe.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, let your doctor know before you start taking methylprednisolone. They can discuss with you the potential benefits and risks of taking this drug during pregnancy.
It’s also not known if it’s safe to take methylprednisolone while breastfeeding. This is because it’s unknown whether methylprednisolone passes into breast milk or the effects it could have on a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, let your doctor know before you start taking methylprednisolone.
If you have any questions about side effects that methylprednisolone can cause, talk with your doctor. You can also ask them about Medrol, which is the brand-name version of methylprednisolone.
A generic drug and its brand-name version are expected to have the same side effects because they contain the same active ingredient. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
- Is my risk of headache higher when I first start treatment?
- Is my risk of mood changes higher if I take methylprednisolone long term?
- Does my risk of eye problems depend on the dosage I take?
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.