Methylprednisolone
Also known as: Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol, A-Methapred, Depo-Medrone, Medrone, Solu-Medrone
**Important Guidelines for Pet Owners:** * **Do Not Stop Abruptly:** Never discontinue this medication suddenly without consulting your veterinarian. The body's natural steroid production goes to sleep while on this drug, and stopping abruptly can cause a life-threatening crisis. Your vet will provide a tapering schedule. * **Expected Side Effects:** It is very common for pets to drink more water, urinate more frequently, and have an increased appetite while on this medication. Ensure they always have access to fresh water and frequent bathroom breaks. * **Watch for Severe Signs:** Contact your veterinarian if you notice severe side effects such as vomiting, dark/tarry stools, bloody diarrhea, extreme lethargy, panting, or significant behavioral changes. * **Follow Instructions:** Give the medication exactly as prescribed. If using an alternate-day schedule, it may be helpful to mark a calendar to avoid missing doses.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Labeled uses (Oral)
- Labeled uses (Injectable)
- Intralesional (sub-lesional) use
- Antiinflammatory (glucocorticoid effects)
- Intra-articular use
- Labeled uses (Oral)
- Labeled uses (Injectable)
- Intralesional (sub-lesional) use
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Polyuria (PU), polydipsia (PD), polyphagia (PP)
- Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushingoid signs) with sustained use
- HPA axis suppression
- Weight gain and lipidemias
- Dull, dry haircoat and alopecia
- Muscle wasting and weakness
- Gastrointestinal ulceration, vomiting, diarrhea, melena, hematochezia
- Elevated liver enzymes (ALP, ALT) and hepatopathy
- Pancreatitis
- Activation or worsening of diabetes mellitus (especially in cats)
- Behavioral changes (depression, lethargy, viciousness, panting)
- Extracellular hyperglycemia leading to volume expansion and potential CHF (cats)
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression
Cautions & contraindications
- Systemic fungal infections (unless used for Addison's replacement)
- Viral infections
- Arrested tuberculosis
- Peptic or corneal ulcers
- Acute psychoses
- Cushingoid syndrome
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia (for IM administration)
- Acute local infections (for intrasynovial/intratendinous use)
- Chronic systemic therapy using sustained-release injectable forms
- Pregnant animals
- Renal disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- > **Tapering Required:** Animals receiving systemic glucocorticoids (other than short 'burst' therapy) must be tapered off slowly to allow endogenous ACTH and corticosteroid function to recover. Abrupt withdrawal can precipitate an Addisonian crisis. * **Stress Dosing:** Additional glucocorticoids may be needed during stressors (surgery, trauma, illness) during the tapering process. * **Use with Caution:** In patients with diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, predisposition to thrombophlebitis, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), and renal insufficiency. * **Pregnancy:** FDA Category C. May cause teratogenic effects in early pregnancy. Exogenous steroids can induce parturition in the latter stages of pregnancy in horses and ruminants. * **Nursing Dams:** Glucocorticoids enter milk and may inhibit growth or interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production in nursing offspring.
Drug interactions
- Amphotericin B: May cause hypokalemia; potential for CHF and cardiac enlargement
- Analgesics/Opiates/Local Anesthetics (epidural): Combination in epidurals has caused serious CNS injuries and death
- Anticholinesterase agents (e.g., pyridostigmine): May lead to profound muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis patients
- Aspirin: Glucocorticoids may reduce salicylate blood levels
- Barbiturates: May increase the metabolism of glucocorticoids and decrease blood levels
- Cyclophosphamide: Glucocorticoids may inhibit hepatic metabolism of cyclophosphamide
- Cyclosporine: May mutually inhibit hepatic metabolism, increasing blood levels of both drugs
- Potassium-depleting diuretics: May cause hypokalemia
- Ephedrine: May reduce methylprednisolone blood levels
- Estrogens: May potentiate the effects of methylprednisolone
- Insulin: Insulin requirements may increase due to glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance
Frequently asked questions
What is Methylprednisolone used for in pets?
**Important Guidelines for Pet Owners:** * **Do Not Stop Abruptly:** Never discontinue this medication suddenly without consulting your veterinarian. The body's natural steroid production goes to sleep while on this drug, and stopping abruptly can cause a life-threatening crisis. Your vet will provide a tapering schedule. * **Expected Side Effects:** It is very common for pets to drink more water, urinate more frequently, and have an increased appetite while on this medication. Ensure they always have access to fresh water and frequent bathroom breaks. * **Watch for Severe Signs:** Contact your veterinarian if you notice severe side effects such as vomiting, dark/tarry stools, bloody diarrhea, extreme lethargy, panting, or significant behavioral changes. * **Follow Instructions:** Give the medication exactly as prescribed. If using an alternate-day schedule, it may be helpful to mark a calendar to avoid missing doses.
Is Methylprednisolone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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