Methylprednisolone Side Effects

Methylprednisolone is basically a glucocorticoid that is prescribed for a wide range of symptoms and problems, ranging from arthritis to more simple cases such as skin irritations caused by poison ivy. It is available in USA and Canada under the retail names of Medrol, Solu-Medrol and Cadista. The side effects may not surface after short term usage but become more prominent when used regularly especially on a high dosage.

Some conditions for which methylprednisolone may be prescribed are:

• Endocrine disorders such as adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenal hyperplasia and hypercalcemia.
• Rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Collagen diseases such as polymyositis and acute rheumatic carditis.
• Skin conditions including psoriasis, exfoliative dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Allergic conditions such as hay fever, drug hypersensitivity reactions, bronchial asthma and atopic and contact dermatitis.
• For tuberculous meningitis and multiple sclerosis.
• Leukemia and other blood-related disorders.
• Certain ophthalmic, digestive and respiratory disorders.

Side Effects of Methylprednisolone

There can be a number of complications arising due to the overuse of methylprednisolone. The most common oral or intravenous side effects include:

Fluid Retention and Nutrient Loss
It can cause fluid and electrolyte retention causing disorders such as hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium loss, congestive heart failure in high-risk patients and fluid retention.

Muscle and Skeletal Disorders
Methylprednisolone side effects can include osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass and muscle weakness, tendon rupture, fractures in the long bones and vertebrae, disintegration of femoral and humeral heads and steroid myopathy.

Digestive System Disorders
It can lead to stomach ulcers (peptic ulcers), pancreatitis and ulcers in the food tube or esophagus.

Nervous System Disorders
Intracranial pressure is increased affecting the encephala or nerve points enclosed within the skull. This can cause convulsions, headaches and vertigo.

Disorders of the Endocrine System
As methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, it directly affects the endocrine system and may cause Cushing's syndrome due to excessive cortisol production, hormonal imbalances causing stunted growth in children, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, unresponsiveness of the adrenocortical and pituitary centers and improper production of insulin.

Eye Disorders
If taken without monitoring the dosage, can affect the eye such as cataract, increased eye pressure, glaucoma and exophthalmos.

Skin disorders
Increased sweating is seen and skin becomes thin and fragile. Wounds taking a long time to heal is also a side effect of medrol. There can be instances of skin rash or hives.

Identification of Side Effects

To determine whether methylprednisolone intake is causing any adverse reaction to your body you should watch out for any signs of dizziness, headache, stomach disorders, sudden weight gain, changes in the menstrual cycle or insomnia. Some other indicators of more serious reactions include pain in the bones and joints, black colored stool, swelling of the joints especially around the ankles and feet, persistent weight gain, mood swings, seizures and changes experienced in vision. Some people may also have allergic reactions to the drug including, development of itching, swelling and even rashes on the body. Respiratory allergies may include development of asthma and wheezing.

Methylprednisolone can cause a number of other unknown side effects in different people and any such condition should be brought to the notice of health authorities. Before taking methylprednisolone inform your doctor of any conditions that may have been aggravated due to the previous use. Avoid driving and using heavy machinery if you are using this drug as it causes dizziness. It may also increase chances of infection in the body and suppress cortical functions. Usage over a long period of time can result in reducing the body's ability to produce natural cortical hormones. Medrol use during pregnancy is not advised and a doctor must be consulted before it is administered.

As with all artificial steroids, methylprednosine side effects too, can be numerous. However, controlled use under the careful monitoring of a trained doctor can help prevent any adverse side effects.