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The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: live vaccines, aldesleukin, large doses of aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (such as salicylates), birth control pills, blood thinners (such as warfarin), bupropion, cyclosporine, drugs for diabetes, drugs that cause potassium loss (such as amphotericin B, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), estrogens, mifepristone, natalizumab, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen), herbal products (e.g., licorice).

Other medications can affect the removal of methylprednisolone from your body, which may affect how methylprednisolone works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifampin, certain anti-seizure medications (such as phenytoin and phenobarbital), among others.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase the risk of stomach bleeding from this drug. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This product may interfere with certain lab tests (including skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, blood glucose/mineral levels, blood pressure, bone density tests, height/weight measurements, eye examinations, x-rays) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects during long-term therapy. Consult your doctor for more details.

Lifestyle changes that help reduce the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) during long-term therapy include weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you with your doctor.

If you take this medication for prolonged periods, you should wear or carry identification stating that you are taking it.

MISSED DOSE: If you are using this medication once daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you are using the tapered dose pack or if you take this medication every other day, ask your doctor what you should do if you miss a dose.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information, call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised February 2011 Copyright(c) 2011 First DataBank, Inc.