Depo Medrol (Methylprednisolone Acetate Injectable Suspension) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Types of Pain Medications »

For what conditions are pain medications used?

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.

What are the differences among the types of pain medications?

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,...

Read the Types of Pain Medications article »

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Depo-Medrol®
(methylprednisolone acetate) Injectable Suspension, USP

NOT FOR USE IN NEONATES
CONTAINS BENZYL ALCOHOL

Not For Intravenous Use

DRUG DESCRIPTION

DEPO-MEDROL is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid for intramuscular, intra-articular, soft tissue or intralesional injection. It is available in three strengths: 20 mg/mL; 40 mg/mL; 80 mg/mL.

Each mL of these preparations contains:
Methylprednisolone acetate	20 mg	40 mg	80 mg
Polyethylene glycol 3350	29.5 mg	29.1 mg	28.2 mg
Polysorbate 80	1.97 mg	1.94 mg	1.88 mg
Monobasic sodium phosphate	6.9 mg	6.8 mg	6.59 mg
Dibasic sodium phosphate USP	1.44 mg	1.42 mg	1.37 mg
Benzyl alcohol added as a preservative	9.3 mg	9.16 mg	8.88 mg

Sodium Chloride was added to adjust tonicity.

When necessary, pH was adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid.

The pH of the finished product remains within the USP specified range; e.g., 3.5 to 7.0.

The chemical name for methylprednisolone acetate is pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, 21 (acetyloxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-6-methyl-,(6α,11β)-and the molecular weight is 416.51. The structural formula is represented below:

Depo-Medrol® (methylprednisolone acetate) Structural Formula Illustration

DEPO-MEDROL Sterile Aqueous Suspension contains methylprednisolone acetate which is the 6-methyl derivative of prednisolone. Methylprednisolone acetate is a white or practically white, odorless, crystalline powder which melts at about 215° with some decomposition. It is soluble in dioxane, sparingly soluble in acetone, in alcohol, in chloroform, and in methanol, and slightly soluble in ether. It is practically insoluble in water.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/30/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.