Pricing
Prices are indicative MRP and may vary by pharmacy. Trend compares against the last recorded price.
All price changes →More from Solupred
Other strengths and forms by Ziska Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Indications & Uses
Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection (Solupred Injection) is used in the following conditions. Endocrine disorder: primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, acute adrenocortical insufficiency, shock unresponsive to conventional, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, and hypercalcemia associated with cancer. Rheumatic disorder: rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), acute and subacute bursitis, epicondylitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Collagen disease: systemic lupus erythematosus, during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases. Also acute rheumatic carditis and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis). Dermatological disease: pemphigus, severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), exfoliative dermatitis, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe seborrheic dermatitis, severe psoriasis and mycosis fungoides. Allergic states: it controls bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, drug hypersensitivity reaction, urticarial transfusion reactions, acute noninfectious laryngeal edema (epinephrine is the drug of first choice) and anaphylactic reactions. Ophthalmic disease: severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as herpes zoster ophthalmicus, iritis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and chroiditis, optic neuritis, sympathetic ophthalmia, anterior segment inflammation, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic corneal marginal ulcers and keratitis. Gastrointestinal disease: to tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy), regional enteritis (systemic therapy) and Crohn's disease. Respiratory disease: symptomatic sarcoidosis, berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (when used together with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapy), Loafer syndrome not manageable by other means, and aspiration pneumonitis. Hematologic disorder: acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults (IV only, IM administration is contraindicated), erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia and secondary thrombocytopenia in adults. Neoplastic disease: for palliative management of leukemias and lymphoma in adults, and acute leukemia of childhood. Edematous state: to induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus. Miscellaneous: tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block (when used together with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapy), and trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement.
Pharmacology
Methylprednisolone, a naturally occurring glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone and cortisone) that also has salt-retaining properties, is used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. This synthetic analog is mainly used for its strong anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.
After an intravenous injection of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate, effects can be seen within one hour and last for a variable period. Nearly all of the dose is excreted within 12 hours. So if constantly high blood levels are needed, the injections should be given every 4 to 6 hours. The preparation is also absorbed rapidly when given intramuscularly, and it is excreted in a pattern similar to that seen after an intravenous injection.
Its anti-inflammatory potency is greater than that of prednisolone, in the ratio of 5 to 4. It has only minimal mineralocorticoid properties and is less likely than prednisolone to cause sodium and water retention. It influences carbohydrate, protein, fat and purine metabolism, electrolyte and water balance, and the functional capacities of the cardiovascular system, the kidney, the skeletal muscle, the nervous system and other organs and tissues. It also suppresses the immune response.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Methylprednisolone can be given by IM or IV injection, or by IV infusion. For IM or IV injection, prepare the solution as the directions for reconstitution say. The dose needed can be given intravenously over a period of several minutes. When high dose therapy is wanted, the recommended dose of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection, USP is 30 mg/kg, given intravenously over at least 30 minutes. This dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours for 48 hours. In general, high-dose corticosteroid therapy should continue only until the patient's condition has stabilized, usually not beyond 48 to 72 hours. Although adverse effects of high dose short-term corticoid therapy are uncommon, peptic ulceration may occur. Prophylactic antacid therapy may be indicated. In other indications, the initial dosage varies from 10 to 40 mg of Methylprednisolone, depending on the clinical problem being treated. Larger doses may be needed for short-term management of severe, acute conditions. The initial dose should usually be given intravenously over a period of several minutes. Later doses may be given intravenously or intramuscularly, at intervals set by the patient's response and clinical condition. Corticoid therapy is an adjunct to conventional therapy, not a replacement for it. If the drug has been given for more than a few days, the dosage must be decreased or stopped gradually. If a period of spontaneous remission occurs in a chronic condition, treatment should be discontinued. During prolonged therapy, routine laboratory studies should be done at regular intervals, such as urinalysis, two-hour postprandial blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight, and a chest X-ray. Upper GI X-rays are desirable in patients with an ulcer history or significant dyspepsia. In pediatric patients, the initial dose of Methylprednisolone may vary depending on the specific disease being treated. The initial dose is 0.11 to 1.6 mg/day in three or four divided doses. The dosage may be reduced for infants and children, but it should be governed more by the severity of the condition and the patient's response than by age or size, and it should not be less than 0.5 mg per kg every 24 hours. In the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, the daily dose is 160 mg daily for 3 days. Methylprednisolone powder for injection/infusion should be given as an intravenous infusion over at least 30 minutes.
Side Effects
Fluid and electrolyte disturbances with Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate include sodium retention, fluid retention, congestive heart failure in susceptible patients, potassium loss, hypokalemic alkalosis and hypertension. Musculoskeletal effects are muscle weakness, steroid myopathy, loss of muscle mass, severe arthralgia, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, pathologic fracture of long bones and osteoporosis. Gastrointestinal effects are peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, pancreatitis, abdominal distention and ulcerative esophagitis. Dermatologic effects are impaired wound healing, thin fragile skin, petechiae and ecchymoses, facial erythema and increased sweating, and the medicine may suppress reactions to skin tests. Neurological effects are increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri), usually after treatment, along with convulsions, vertigo and headache. Endocrine effects are development of a Cushingoid state, suppression of growth in children, and secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness. Menstrual irregularities, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus and increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics also belong here. Ophthalmic effects are posterior subcapsular cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma and exophthalmos. Among other effects, negative nitrogen balance can occur due to protein catabolism. These additional adverse reactions are related to parenteral corticosteroid therapy: hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, subcutaneous and cutaneous atrophy, sterile abscess, anaphylactic reaction with or without circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, bronchospasm, urticaria, nausea and vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias; hypotension or hypertension.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate is sensitive to heat, like many other steroid formulations. So don't autoclave the vial, even when you want to sterilize its outside surface. Use the lowest dose of corticosteroid that controls the condition being treated, and when the dose can be reduced, reduce it gradually. Complications of glucocorticoid treatment depend on the size of the dose and how long the treatment lasts. Because of this, the doctor must weigh risk against benefit in each case, both for the dose and duration and for whether daily or intermittent therapy should be used. In chronic conditions, stopping the corticosteroid may lead to clinical improvement.
Contraindications
Methylprednisolone Sterile Powder must not be used in people with systemic fungal infections, or in those who are known to be hypersensitive to the product or any of its constituents. It must also not be given by the intrathecal route, because severe medical events have been reported with this route of administration. Intramuscular corticosteroid preparations are contraindicated in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Corticosteroids have caused birth defects (they are teratogenic) in many animal species when given in doses equivalent to the human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. So methylprednisolone sodium succinate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Babies born to mothers who received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be watched carefully for signs of hypoadrenalism.
Lactation
Corticosteroids given systemically appear in human milk. They could suppress the baby's growth, interfere with the baby's own corticosteroid production, or cause other unwanted effects. Because nursing infants may suffer serious adverse reactions from corticosteroids, a decision should be made whether to continue nursing or to stop the medicine, taking into account how important the medicine is to the mother.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
In children, Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate and other corticosteroids cause the same kinds of side effects as in adults. As with adults, children need careful watching. That means frequent measurement of blood pressure, weight, height and intraocular pressure, and clinical checks for infection, psychosocial disturbances, thromboembolism, peptic ulcers, cataracts and osteoporosis. A child treated with corticosteroids by any route, including systemically administered corticosteroids, may grow more slowly (a decrease in growth velocity). To keep the possible effect on growth as small as possible, the dose in children should be titrated to the lowest effective dose.
For elderly patients, the clinical studies did not include enough people aged 65 and over to show whether they respond differently from younger people. In general, the dose for an elderly patient should be chosen with care, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range. This reflects the greater frequency of decreased liver, kidney or heart function in older people, and of other diseases or other drug therapy.
Overdose
An acute overdose of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate is treated with supportive and symptomatic care. In chronic overdose, where the patient has a severe disease and needs steroids continuously, the corticosteroid dose can be lowered, but only for a short time. Alternate day treatment may also be started instead.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate away from light. Store it at controlled room temperature, 20° to 25°C. Once the solution is made up, keep it at the same controlled room temperature of 20° to 25°C, and use it within 48 hours after mixing.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Solupred 500 mg
What is Solupred 500 mg IM/IV Injection?
Solupred 500 mg IM/IV Injection is a medicine that contains Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate. It is made by Ziska Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Glucocorticoids group of medicines.
What is Solupred used for?
Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection (Solupred Injection) is used in the following conditions. Endocrine disorder: primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, acute adrenocortical insufficiency, shock unresponsive to conventional, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, and hypercalcemia associated with cancer.
What are the side effects of Solupred?
Fluid and electrolyte disturbances with Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate include sodium retention, fluid retention, congestive heart failure in susceptible patients, potassium loss, hypokalemic alkalosis and hypertension. Musculoskeletal effects are muscle weakness, steroid myopathy, loss of muscle mass, severe arthralgia, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, pathologic fracture of long bones and osteoporosis.
Can I take Solupred during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy Corticosteroids have caused birth defects (they are teratogenic) in many animal species when given in doses equivalent to the human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Solupred?
An acute overdose of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate is treated with supportive and symptomatic care. In chronic overdose, where the patient has a severe disease and needs steroids continuously, the corticosteroid dose can be lowered, but only for a short time. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Solupred?
Keep Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate away from light. Store it at controlled room temperature, 20° to 25°C.
Can I take other medicines with Solupred?
Some medicines can interact with Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate, for example: Cyclosporine, Isoniazid, Aspirin, Amphotericin B, Cholestyramine, Warfarin Sodium. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Solupred?
Solupred is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.