Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Medrol Dosepak) is a generic prescription medication, and as with other drugs, it can cause side effects. Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions that involve the immune system. Some examples include:

Methylprednisolone is available as an oral tablet in a 4-milligram (mg) strength. The drug is also available in an injectable form, but only the oral tablet is the focus of this article. Your doctor can tell you more about the injectable form. Methylprednisolone can be used both short term and long term.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of the drug. For a general overview of methylprednisolone, including its uses, refer to this article. Your doctor can also tell you more about the medication.

Methylprednisolone can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took methylprednisolone:

  • acne
  • nausea and vomiting
  • weight gain*
  • headache*
  • infection*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with methylprednisolone use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the methylprednisolone prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with methylprednisolone include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking methylprednisolone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Methylprednisolone may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the methylprednisolone prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking methylprednisolone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking methylprednisolone. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

In clinical trials, almost all the side effects of methylprednisolone that occurred in adults occurred in children as well. The main difference was that growth and development were sometimes stunted in children while they took methylprednisolone. This occurred more often in children who took the drug for longer periods of time, at higher doses, or both.

If your child is prescribed methylprednisolone, their doctor will likely monitor your child’s growth and development. You can monitor them as well. Your child’s doctor can help answer any questions you have.

Once you stop taking methylprednisolone you may start to experience side effects such as body aches, nausea, and mood changes.* You may also feel tired or dizzy. These side effects are typically mild and last a few weeks when you stop taking the drug exactly as your doctor prescribes. It’s important to note that you should not stop methylprednisolone treatment unless your doctor has approved doing so.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to stop taking methylprednisolone. Following them is important. The drug can change the levels of certain hormones in your body.† If you suddenly stop taking methylprednisolone, your body could have a hard time functioning with low hormone levels. This could lead to serious side effects, such as:

  • severe weakness and tiredness
  • body aches
  • dizziness
  • joint pain
  • loss of appetite
  • severe mood changes, such as depression and anxiety
  • lightheadedness

To help prevent these side effects, your doctor may stop your treatment slowly. This may depend on a few factors, such as what condition you’re taking methylprednisolone for. It may also depend on how long you’ve been taking the medication or how high your dose is.

If you experience severe side effects after stopping treatment with methylprednisolone, be sure to talk with your doctor.

* To learn more, see the mild and serious side effect lists above.
† For more information, see the serious side effect list above.

Methylprednisolone may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are side effects of methylprednisolone the same whether the drug comes in a dose pack or bottle?

Yes, side effects of methylprednisolone are the same whether the drug comes in a blister package (dose pack) or bottle. Both containers have the same medication, just in different quantities.

The blister package of methylprednisolone includes 21 tablets of the 4-milligram (mg) strength. The tablets are taken over 6 days. (Many of the conditions the drug is used for require a 6-day treatment.) Your doctor will give you instructions on how many tablets to take each day. You’ll usually start with more tablets on day 1 and slowly decrease the number of tablets you take per day until day 6. The blister package is meant to make it easier to take methylprednisolone short term.

Methylprednisolone is a generic drug that’s available as the brand-name medication Medrol. Like methylprednisolone, Medrol comes in a blister package form. It’s called Medrol Dosepak and contains tablets to take over 6 days.

You may hear the methylprednisolone blister package and Medrol Dosepak referred to as 6-day steroid packs. This is because both medications are types of corticosteroids. The side effects of methylprednisolone and Medrol should be the same.

In addition to the blister package, methylprednisolone comes in a bottle, but this form is typically used by pharmacists.

Your doctor or pharmacist can help address other questions you have about methylprednisolone.

Is drowsiness a common side effect of methylprednisolone?

No, drowsiness is not known to be a common side effect of methylprednisolone. In fact, some people taking methylprednisolone have reported difficulty sleeping during treatment. If you have concerns about drowsiness while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that methylprednisolone may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for methylprednisolone.

Weight gain

Weight gain is a common side effect for people taking methylprednisolone. Weight gain is more commonly seen with high doses, longer use, or both.

Steroids, such as methylprednisolone, can reduce your body’s ability to break down food into a usable energy. This can result in an increased appetite and weight gain.

Hormone changes in your body due to methylprednisolone could increase the fat in your stomach and face.

Methylprednisolone can also cause your body to retain both salt and water, which may lead to weight gain.

What you can do

Some potential ways to help prevent or manage weight gain due methylprednisolone include:

  • increasing your daily physical activity and exercise
  • eating fewer salty foods
  • avoiding processed foods, which often contain a lot of “bad” fats and sugar

If you’re concerned about possible weight gain while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor.

Headache

Headache is a common side effect of methylprednisolone. While headaches are typically mild, frequent headaches can be bothersome and impact your daily activities.

What you can do

It’s important to talk with your doctor if you have frequent headaches while taking methylprednisolone. They may prescribe over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat your headache. Additionally, your doctor may offer other suggestions to help prevent and treat headaches while taking methylprednisolone. These can include rest and hydration.

Muscle weakness

It’s possible to experience muscle weakness while taking methylprednisolone. The weakness most commonly occurs in people who take the drug for longer periods of time, at high doses, or both.

Symptoms of muscle weakness can include pain in the upper arm, shoulder, or leg. Pain in the leg is a common symptom of muscle weakness. (Leg pain could also be a symptom of joint pain, which is another side effect of methylprednisolone.)

What you can do

Some clinical trials have shown that physical activity and exercise help prevent muscle weakness and leg pain while taking methylprednisolone. Medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also help with leg pain if your doctor or pharmacist recommend them.

If you begin to feel leg pain while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor. They can help figure out the cause and recommend possible treatment options.

Digestive tract conditions

Certain digestive tract conditions are possible while taking methylprednisolone. In clinical trials, pancreatitis, swollen abdomen, and ulcers in the stomach or esophagus were reported in people taking the drug. The trials did not note how often the digestive conditions occurred.

Symptoms of digestive tract conditions with methylprednisolone can include:

  • abdominal pain
  • heartburn
  • nausea or vomiting
  • bloating
  • stomach bleeding
  • difficulty swallowing
  • chest pain
  • fast heartbeat

What you can do

If you experience any of these symptoms and they become bothersome, you should talk with your doctor right away. They can help figure out the possible cause and make changes to your methylprednisolone dosage if needed.

Infection

Infection is a possible side effect of methylprednisolone. The drug lowers the activity of your immune system. When your immune system is less active, it’s harder for your body to fight infection.

Clinical trials have shown that the highest risk of infection is in people taking methylprednisolone for longer periods of time, at high doses, or both.

There’s also an increased risk of infection if you’re taking other medications that lower the activity of your immune system, such as adalimumab (Humira) or infliximab (Remicade).

The types of infections that may occur with methylprednisolone can include:

Common symptoms of an infection include fever, nausea, and weakness. Infections can also cause symptoms such as fatigue, chills, diarrhea, cough, and sudden weight loss.

What you can do

Infections due to methylprednisolone can range from mild to severe. Staying up to date with your vaccination schedule should help reduce the risk of developing some infections. Taking methylprednisolone exactly as your doctor prescribes should also help lessen your infection risk.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor right away. They may prescribe medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals to treat your infection.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, methylprednisolone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. There have been reports of people experiencing an allergic reaction while taking methylprednisolone after the drug was approved.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash or itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
  • chest pain
  • dizziness

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking methylprednisolone. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take methylprednisolone. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Fungal Infections. If you’re currently being treated for a serious fungal infection, methylprednisolone is contraindicated. A contraindication is a factor or condition they could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to risk or harm.

This means that doctors typically won’t prescribe methylprednisolone if you’re receiving treatment for a serious fungal infection. The drug weakens your immune system, so that could make the fungal infection harder to treat.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug. Taking methylprednisolone could cause you to have another allergic reaction. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Mood changes. Methylprednisolone may cause changes in behavior or mood that can range from intense excitement to depression and anxiety. If you have or have had such a behavioral condition, tell your doctor. The drug can cause a flare-up of that condition. Your doctor can help determine whether methylprednisolone is right for you.

Hypothyroidism. If you have hypothyroidism, tell your doctor. You may be more likely to experience side effects from methylprednisolone. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose when you begin treatment.

Cirrhosis. If you have cirrhosis, be sure to tell your doctor. You may be more likely to have side effects from methylprednisolone. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose when you start taking the drug.

Eye herpes. If you have herpes in your eye, it’s important to tell your doctor. You may be at an increased risk of developing changes in your vision while taking methylprednisolone. Your doctor can help determine whether methylprednisolone is the right treatment for you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking methylprednisolone

It’s unknown how safe methylprednisolone is to take while pregnant. There have not been enough clinical trials that looked at the safety of the drug during pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, make sure to talk with your doctor. They can help weigh the risks and benefits of methylprednisolone. You should also talk with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking the drug. They can help determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking methylprednisolone during pregnancy.

The manufacturers of methylprednisolone haven’t stated whether the drug is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or considering it, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on ways to feed your child and what treatment is right for you.

If you’re taking methylprednisolone oral tablets as prescribed by your doctor, there’s a chance you may develop side effects. Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity and will go away once you stop taking methylprednisolone. If you feel like you may be experiencing any severe side effects, talk with your doctor right away. For more information, see “Side effects specifics” above.

If you’d like to learn more about methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Referring to the following articles about methylprednisolone can provide you with additional information:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.