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Depo-Medrol vs. Ozurdex

Are Depo-Medrol and Ozurdex the Same Thing?

Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) and Ozurdex (dexamethasone) are corticosteroids used to treat different conditions.

Depo-Medrol is used to treat pain and swelling that occurs with arthritis and other joint disorders. It may also be used to treat conditions such as blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/intestinal/kidney/lung diseases, and immune system disorders.

Ozurdex is injected into the eye to treat swelling that may occur when there is a blockage of certain blood vessels in your eyes. Ozurdex is also used to treat non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior (rear) segment of the eye.

Side effects of Depo-Medrol that are different from Ozurdex include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, appetite changes, increased sweating, acne, or injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

Side effects of Ozurdex that are different from Depo-Medrol include blurred vision, eye inflammation, increased eye pressure, and retinal detachments.

Depo-Medrol may interact with aldesleukin, mifepristone, antibiotics, other drugs that weaken the immune response, other drugs that cause bleeding/bruising, azole antifungals, boceprevir, cyclosporine, estrogens, HIV protease inhibitors, rifamycins, St. John's wort, seizure medications, and telaprevir.

Ozurdex may interact with other drugs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Depo-Medrol?

Common side effects of Depo-Medrol include:

  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • heartburn,
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • trouble sleeping,
  • appetite changes,
  • increased sweating,
  • acne, or
  • injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

Other side effects of Depo-Medrol include a rise in blood sugar, and a lowered ability to fight infections.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ozurdex?

Common side effects of Ozurdex include:

  • blurred vision,
  • eye inflammation,
  • increased eye pressure, and
  • retinal detachments.

Tell your doctor if you have a serious side effect of Ozurdex including:

  • eye pain,
  • seeing halos around lights,
  • eye redness,
  • increased sensitivity of your eyes to light, or
  • vision changes

What Is Depo-Medrol?

Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid used to treat pain and swelling that occurs with arthritis and other joint disorders. It may also be used to treat conditions such as blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/intestinal/kidney/lung diseases, and immune system disorders. Depo-Medrol is available in generic form.

What Is Ozurdex?

Ozurdex (dexamethasone) Intravitreal Implant is a steroid injected into the eye to treat swelling that may occur when there is a blockage of certain blood vessels in your eyes. Ozurdex is also used to treat non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior (rear) segment of the eye.

What Drugs Interact With Depo-Medrol?

Depo-Medrol may interact with aldesleukin, mifepristone, antibiotics, other drugs that weaken the immune response, other drugs that cause bleeding/bruising, azole antifungals, boceprevir, cyclosporine, estrogens, HIV protease inhibitors, rifamycins, St. John's wort, seizure medications, and telaprevir. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Depo-Medrol should be used only when prescribed. It may rarely harm a fetus. Infants born to mothers who use this medication during pregnancy may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Ozurdex?

Ozurdex may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Ozurdex should be used only if prescribed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is unknown if Ozurdex implant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding..

How Should Depo-Medrol Be Taken?

The initial dosage of Depo-Medrol varies from 4 to 120 mg depending on the disease being treated.

How Should Ozurdex Be Taken?

Ozurdex intravitreal implant is injected into your eye by a doctor in a clinical setting.

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