A-Methapred (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 21, 2012

A-Methapred

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Virtually any disease as well as most injuries and surgical procedures involve some degree of pain. It's not surprising, then, that pain medications, also known as analgesics, are among the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Pain can range from minor, acute complaints, such as a muscle sprain, to chronic, severe pain, such as that sometimes experienced by cancer patients. Some drugs used for other conditions also are effective at relieving certain types of pain. These drugs include certain drugs used for depression, epilepsy, and anxiety.

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Pain medications can be broadly classified into two categories: prescription and nonprescription. In the latter category are several mild anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), as well as acetaminophen. These are mainly meant for use with short-term, acute pain -- menstrual cramps,...

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A-Methapred

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A-METHAPRED
(methylprednisolone sodium succinate) Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution

For Intravenous or Intramuscular Administration

DRUG DESCRIPTION

A-Methapred (methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP) 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-oxo-propoxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-6-methyl-monosodium salt, (6a, 11ß), and the molecular weight is 496.53.

The structural formula is represented below:

A-Methapred (methylprednisolone sodium succinate) structural formula illustration

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.

A-Methapred (methylprednisolone sodium succinate) is available in several strengths and packages for intravenous or intramuscular administration.

40 mg 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 anhydrous; 25 mg lactose anhydrous; 8.8 mg benzyl alcohol added as preservative.

125 mg 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; 17.4 mg dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; 17.6 mg benzyl alcohol added as preservative.

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, 0.40 osmolar; (Isotonic saline = 0.28 osmolar).

IMPORTANT- Use only Bacteriostatic Water For Injection with Benzyl Alcohol when reconstituting A-Methapred (methylprednisolone sodium succinate) .

Use within 48 hours after mixing.

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/13/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.