Medrol vs. Solu-Medrol

• Are Solu-Medrol and Medrol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Medrol?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Solu-Medrol?
• What Is Medrol?
• What Is Solu-Medrol?
• What Drugs Interact with Medrol?
• What Drugs Interact with Solu-Medrol?
• How Should Medrol Be Taken?
• How Should Solu-Medrol Be Taken?

Medrol (methylprednisolone) and Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) are corticosteroids indicated to treat or manage many conditions, including endocrine disorders, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, dermatologic diseases, allergies, eye diseases, respiratory diseases, blood disorders, cancers, edematous states, gastrointestinal diseases, and others.

A difference is Medrol is given in tablet form while Solu-Medrol is administered by slow injection into a vein or directly into a muscle.

Common side effects of Medrol include:

• skin problems (acne, dry and thinning skin, easy bruising or discoloration),
• slow wound healing,
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in the neck, face, arms, legs, breasts, and waist),
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• increased sweating, and
• mood changes.

Serious side effects of Medrol include emergency medical conditions such as:

• low potassium,
• bloody vomit,
• bloody or tarry stools,
• high blood pressure,
• seizures,
• chest pains,
• mental status changes,
• pancreatitis,
• vision problems, and
• shortness of breath with swelling.

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).

Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a glucocorticoid (adrenocortical steroid) that can depress the immune response and inflammation and is used in diseases ranging from rheumatologic, hematologic, endocrine, dermatologic, immunologic, allergic, and ophthalmologic to many others.

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.

Medrol may interact with aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses), diuretics (water pills), blood thinner, cyclosporine, insulin or oral diabetes medications, ketoconazole, rifampin, seizure medications, or "live" vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received.

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.

Medrol is available as 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 mg strength tablets. Dosages are extremely variable and are based on what diseases are being treated.

Dosing depends on the condition being treated.