Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Solu-Medrol?How It’s GivenBefore an InfusionDuring an InfusionAfter TreatmentSide EffectsInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Solu-Medrol?
How It’s Given
Before an Infusion
During an Infusion
After Treatment
Side Effects
Interactions
Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a powerfulcorticosteroiddrug given intravenously (into a vein) to treat severe flare-ups ofmultiple sclerosis (MS).
Solu-Medrol can quickly reduceinflammationin thecentral nervous systemand the porousness of theblood-brain barrierin people with MS. By doing so,symptoms of MScan be eased andrelapsescan be shortened. Solu-Medrol can cause side effects ranging from weight gain and irregular periods to glaucoma and cataracts.
This article explains how Solu-Medrol works in people with MS, including what to expect before, during, and after an infusion. It also describes the possible side effects and risks and when the drug cannot be used.
Verywell / JR Bee
Solu-Medrol and MS
Solu-Medrol is used to treat relapsing-remitting forms of MS in which symptoms come and go.
MS is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells (calledautoantibodies) attack the protective covering of nerve cells.
The immune assault, in turn, triggers extreme inflammation which damages the protective membrane surrounding the brain, called the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This creates tiny holes through which autoantibodies can access and damage nerve cells in the brain, leading to vision loss, nerve pain, a loss of muscle control, and a host of other symptoms.
How Solu-Medrol Is Given
The effects of Solu-Medrol can start to be felt within an hour of the infusion, although the full course is required to ensure sustainedremission(low disease activity).
After the IV line is inserted, a bag containing Solu-Medrol is infused over one to four hours. You may experience an initial stinging and cold sensation when the drug first starts to flow. Thereafter, the experience is relatively painless.
You will often get your first Solu-Medrol infusion in a hospital on aninpatient basis. That is so you can be closely monitored in the event of a severe drug reaction.
For the remainder of treatments, you may be sent to a clinic or an infusion center where you will be given the infusion in a bed or a chair.
How Much Does Solu-Medrol Cost?The cost for a 1000-milligram infusion is generally between $50 and $70.
How Much Does Solu-Medrol Cost?
The cost for a 1000-milligram infusion is generally between $50 and $70.
Before the Infusion
There are certain things you can do beforehand to make the Solu-Medrol infusion more comfortable:
During Your Infusion
Management doesn’t stop when your Solu-Medrol infusion is over. You’ll need to keep some things in mind for afterward:
If You Have DiabetesBecause Solu-Medrol can raise blood sugar levels, speak with your healthcare provider about ways to regulate your blood sugar if you havediabetes.
If You Have Diabetes
Because Solu-Medrol can raise blood sugar levels, speak with your healthcare provider about ways to regulate your blood sugar if you havediabetes.
Possible Side Effects of Solu-Medrol
As with all drugs, Solu-Medrol can cause side effects. This is especially true given the high dose you’ll receive over a short period of time.
Possible side effects include:
Most side effects will go away once the treatment is completed, although some like facial mooning and weight gain can take weeks to fully resolve.
Interactions and Contraindications
Solu-Medrol may interact with certain drugs. Let your healthcare provider if you take (or plan to take) any of the following before, during, or after Solu-Medrol therapy:
Solu-Medrol should not be used in anyone with a known severe allergy to methylprednisolone or any inactive ingredient in the preparation. This includes people with a severe milk allergy as Solu-Medrol contains substances derived from cow’s milk.
Summary
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5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Solu-Medrol.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP).Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867DailyMed.Solu-Medrol - methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection, powder, for solution.Jongen PJ, Stavrakaki I, Voet B, et al.Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis patients with a relapse.J Neurol. 2016;263(8):1641-51. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8183-3
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Solu-Medrol.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP).Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867DailyMed.Solu-Medrol - methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection, powder, for solution.Jongen PJ, Stavrakaki I, Voet B, et al.Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis patients with a relapse.J Neurol. 2016;263(8):1641-51. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8183-3
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Solu-Medrol.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP).Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867DailyMed.Solu-Medrol - methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection, powder, for solution.Jongen PJ, Stavrakaki I, Voet B, et al.Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis patients with a relapse.J Neurol. 2016;263(8):1641-51. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8183-3
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Solu-Medrol.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP).
Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1–10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867
DailyMed.Solu-Medrol - methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection, powder, for solution.
Jongen PJ, Stavrakaki I, Voet B, et al.Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis patients with a relapse.J Neurol. 2016;263(8):1641-51. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8183-3
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