Medrol Dose Pack Instructions

Medrol, also know as methyprednisolone, is a medical steroid used to rid the body of inflammation. This drug is used to treat conditions such as asthma, allergic skin disorders, arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis and other medical problems where a steroid medication may help. The dose pack enables the patient to get a therapeutic dose of the steroid in six days to help prevent inflammation in the body.

How to Use the Dose Pack

Take the pills in the dose pack as instructed and do not attempt to stop the pills suddenly. Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can appear if you do not wean the steroids gradually. Steroid withdrawal symptoms include:

• joint pain
  
• muscle pain
  
• fatigue
  
• headache
  
• nausea
  
• vomiting
  
• fever

Side Effects of Medrol Dose Pack

Contact your physician if you have problems with your vision, shortness of breath, swelling, bloody or tarry stools, fast heart rate, high blood pressure or weakness in the legs, which can indicate that you are losing potassium.

The Food and Drug Administration places Medrol as a category C in pregnancy, meaning this medication may be harmful to the fetus. Tell your physician if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during this steroid treatment. Methyprednisolone can pass into breast milk, so it may harm a nursing baby.