Solu-Medrol vs. Prednisone

Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) and prednisone are corticosteroids used for severe or incapacitating allergic conditions, dermatologic diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatic disorders, and several other conditions.

• Side effects of Solu-Medrol and prednisone that are similar include weight gain, headache, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and acne.
• Side effects of Solu-Medrol that are different from prednisone include fluid retention, high blood pressure, potassium loss, muscle weakness, puffiness of the face, hair growth on the face, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulcers, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), irregular menstrual periods, growth retardation in children, convulsions, heartburn, dizziness, appetite changes, increased sweating, psychiatric disturbances, and injection site reactions (pain, redness, or swelling).
• Side effects of prednisone that are different from Solu-Medrol include restlessness.
• Both Solu-Medrol and prednisone may interact with live or inactivated vaccines, potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics), antidiabetic drugs, estrogens (including oral contraceptives), anticoagulants, azole antifungals, and rifampin.
• Solu-Medrol may also interact with erythromycin.
• Prednisone may also interact with macrolide antibiotics, anticholinesterase, isoniazid, bupropion, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digitalis glycosides, fluoroquinolones, barbiturates, seizure medications, ritonavir, indinavir, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), quetiapine, skin tests, and thalidomide.
• Some conditions may worsen or you may experience withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness) when Solu-Medrol or prednisone are suddenly stopped.

The initial dosage of prednisone may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated.

Common side effects of Solu-Medrol include:

• fluid retention,
• weight gain,
• high blood pressure,
• potassium loss,
• headache,
• muscle weakness,
• puffiness of the face,
• hair growth on the face,
• thinning and easy bruising of the skin,
• glaucoma,
• cataracts,
• peptic ulcers,
• high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),
• irregular menstrual periods,
• growth retardation in children,
• convulsions,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• heartburn,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping,
• appetite changes,
• increased sweating,
• acne,
• psychiatric disturbances, and
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, or swelling).

Common side effects of Prednisone include:

• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• acne, thinning skin,
• weight gain,
• restlessness, and
• trouble sleeping.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of prednisone including

• severe allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of your lips/face/tongue),
• mood changes or depression,
• eye pain or vision changes,
• fever,
• cough,
• sore throat,
• difficulty urinating, or
• high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, or swelling of the ankles and feet).

Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a synthetic corticosteroid used for severe or incapacitating allergic conditions, dermatologic diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatic disorders, and several other conditions.

Prednisolone is an adrenocortical steroid used for multiple conditions including endocrine disorders, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, skin diseases, allergies, eye diseases, respiratory diseases, blood disorders, cancers, edematous states, gastrointestinal diseases, and nervous system disorders, among others. The brand name of this medication is discontinued, but generic versions may be available.

Corticosteroids suppress the immune system and predispose patients to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Solu-medrol interacts with live vaccines, amphotericin B, erythromycin, warfarin, antidiabetic agents, estrogens, ketoconazole, and rifampin. It has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant or nursing women. Abruptly stopping Solu-medrol can cause symptoms of corticosteroid insufficiency.

Prednisone may interact with diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, cyclosporine, insulin or oral diabetes medications, rifampin, azole antifungals, or seizure medications.

Prednisone may also interact with antibiotics, anticholinesterase, isoniazid, bupropion, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digitalis glycosides, estrogens (including oral contraceptives), barbiturates, ritonavir, indinavir, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), quetiapine, skin tests, thalidomide, and live or inactivated vaccines.

Following prolonged therapy, withdrawal of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone or prednisone may result in symptoms of the corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome including muscle or joint pain and feeling unwell (malaise).

Dosing depends on the condition being treated.

The initial dosage of prednisone may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated.