Solu-medrol

Solu-medrol

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Questions & Answers

Side Effects & Adverse Reactions

In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to any unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated.

Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use. There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used. Infections with any pathogen including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan or helminthic infections, in any location of the body, may be associated with the use of corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents that affect cellular immunity, humoral immunity, or neutrophil function.1

These infections may be mild, but can be severe and at times fatal. With increasing doses of corticosteroids, the rate of occurrence of infectious complications increases.2

A study has failed to establish the efficacy of SOLU-MEDROL in the treatment of sepsis syndrome and septic shock. The study also suggests that treatment of these conditions with SOLU-MEDROL may increase the risk of mortality in certain patients (i.e., patients with elevated serum creatinine levels or patients who develop secondary infections after SOLU-MEDROL).

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses.

Usage in pregnancy. Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers, or women of childbearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus. Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

Average and large doses of cortisone or hydrocortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium. These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion.

Administration of live or live, attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered to patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids; however, the response to such vaccines may be diminished. Indicated immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients receiving nonimmunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. 

The use of SOLU-MEDROL Sterile Powder in active tuberculosis should be restricted to those cases of fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis in which the corticosteroid is used for the management of the disease in conjunction with appropriate antituberculous regimen.

If corticosteroids are indicated in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, close observation is necessary as reactivation of the disease may occur. During prolonged corticosteroid therapy, these patients should receive chemoprophylaxis.

Because rare instances of anaphylactic (eg, bronchospasm) reactions have occurred in patients receiving parenteral corticosteroid therapy, appropriate precautionary measures should be taken prior to administration, especially when the patient has a history of allergy to any drug.

There are reports of cardiac arrhythmias and/or circulatory collapse and/or cardiac arrest following the rapid administration of large IV doses of SOLU-MEDROL (greater than 0.5 gram administered over a period of less than 10 minutes). Bradycardia has been reported during or after the administration of large doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and may be unrelated to the speed or duration of infusion.

Persons who are on drugs which suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chicken pox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in non-immune children or adults on corticosteroids. In such children or adults who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. How the dose, route and duration of corticosteroid administration affects the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known. The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known. If exposed to chicken pox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated. If exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. (See the respective package inserts for complete VZIG and IG prescribing information.) If chicken pox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. Similarly, corticosteroids should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia.

Legal Issues

There is currently no legal information available for this drug.

FDA Safety Alerts

There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.

Manufacturer Warnings

There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.

FDA Labeling Changes

There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.

Uses

When oral therapy is not feasible, and the strength, dosage form and route of administration of the drug reasonably lend the preparation to the treatment of the condition, SOLU-MEDROL Sterile Powder is indicated for intravenous or intramuscular use in the following conditions:

1. Endocrine Disorders
Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance)
Acute adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; mineralocorticoid supplementation may be necessary, particularly when synthetic analogs are used)
Preoperatively and in the event of serious trauma or illness, in patients with known adrenal insufficiency or when adrenocortical reserve is doubtful
Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy if adrenocortical insufficiency exists or is suspected
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Nonsuppurative thyroiditis
Hypercalcemia associated with cancer

2. Rheumatic Disorders
As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in:
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Epicondylitis
Synovitis of osteoarthritis Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile Acute gouty arthritis rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may Psoriatic arthritis require low-dose maintenance therapy) Ankylosing spondylitis
Acute and subacute bursitis

3. Collagen Diseases
During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:
Systemic lupus erythematosus Acute rheumatic carditis
Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)

4. Dermatologic Diseases
Pemphigus Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Johnson syndrome) Severe psoriasis
Exfoliative dermatitis Mycosis fungoides

5. Allergic States
Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in:
Bronchial asthma Drug hypersensitivity reactions
Contact dermatitis Urticarial transfusion reactions
Atopic dermatitis Acute noninfectious laryngeal
Serum sickness edema (epinephrine is the drug
Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis of first choice)

6. Ophthalmic Diseases
Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as:
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus Sympathetic ophthalmia
Iritis, iridocyclitis Anterior segment inflammation
Chorioretinitis Allergic conjunctivitis
Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
Optic neuritis Keratitis

7. Gastrointestinal Diseases
To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in:
Ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy) Regional enteritis (systemic therapy)

8. Respiratory Diseases
Symptomatic sarcoidosis Loeffler’s syndrome not manage-
Berylliosis able by other means
Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary Aspiration pneumonitis tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy

9. Hematologic Disorders
Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic in adults (IV only; IM administration anemia is contraindicated)
Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults

10. Neoplastic Diseases
For palliative management of:
Leukemias and lymphomas in adults Acute leukemia of childhood

11. Edematous States
To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus

12. Nervous System
Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis

13. Miscellaneous
Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy
Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

History

There is currently no drug history available for this drug.

Other Information


SOLU-MEDROL Sterile Powder contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate as the active ingredient. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate, USP, occurs as a white, or nearly white, odorless hygroscopic, amorphous solid. It is very soluble in water and in alcohol; it is insoluble in chloroform and is very slightly soluble in acetone. The chemical name for methylprednisolone sodium succinate is pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,21-(3-carboxy-1-oxopropoxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-6-methyl-monosodium salt, (6α, 11β), and the molecular weight is 496.53. The structural formula is represented below:

Formula1

Methylprednisolone sodium succinate is so extremely soluble in water that it may be administered in a small volume of diluent and is especially well suited for intravenous use in situations in which high blood levels of methylprednisolone are required rapidly SOLU-MEDROL is available in several strengths and packages for intravenous or intramuscular administration.

40 mg Act-O-Vial® System (Single-Dose Vial)—Each mL (when mixed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 40 mg methylprednisolone; also 1.6 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; 17.46 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried; and 25 mg lactose hydrous.

125 mg Act-O-Vial System (Single-Dose Vial)—Each 2 mL (when mixed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 125 mg methylprednisolone; also 1.6 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; and 17.4 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried.

500 mg Vial—Each 8 mL (when mixed as directed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 500 mg methylprednisolone; also 6.4 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; 69.6 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried.

500 mg Act-O-Vial System (Single-Dose Vial)—Each 4 mL (when mixed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 500 mg methylprednisolone; also 6.4 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; and 69.6 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried.

1 gram Vial—Each 16 mL (when mixed as directed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 1 gram methylprednisolone; also 12.8 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; 139.2 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried.

1 gram Act-O-Vial System (Single-Dose Vial)—Each 8 mL (when mixed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 1 gram methylprednisolone; also 12.8 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; and 139.2 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried.

When necessary, the pH of each formula was adjusted with sodium hydroxide so that the pH of the reconstituted solution is within the USP specified range of 7 to 8 and the tonicities are, for the 40 mg per mL solution, 0.50 osmolar; for the 125 mg per 2 mL, 500 mg per 8 mL and 1 gram per 16 mL solutions, 0.40 osmolar; for the 1 gram per 8 mL solution, 0.44 osmolar. (Isotonic saline = 0.28 osmolar).

IMPORTANT — Use only the accompanying diluent when reconstituting SOLU-MEDROL. Use within 48 hours after mixing

Solu-medrol Manufacturers


  • General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc]
  • General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc]
  • Remedyrepack Inc.
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Powder, For Solution [Remedyrepack Inc. ]
  • Cardinal Health
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Cardinal Health]
  • General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc]
  • General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc]
  • Remedyrepack Inc.
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Remedyrepack Inc. ]
  • Remedyrepack Inc.
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Remedyrepack Inc. ]
  • A-s Medication Solutions Llc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [A-s Medication Solutions Llc]
  • Pharmacia And Upjohn Company
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Kit [Pharmacia And Upjohn Company]
  • Us Medsource, Llc
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Us Medsource, Llc]
  • Pharmacia And Upjohn Company
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Pharmacia And Upjohn Company]
  • Cardinal Health
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Cardinal Health]
  • Cardinal Health
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Cardinal Health]
  • Cardinal Health
    Solu-medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Injection, Powder, For Solution [Cardinal Health]

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