Decadron vs. Medrol

• Are Decadron and Medrol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Decadron?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Medrol?
• What Is Decadron?
• What Is Medrol?
• What Drugs Interact with Decadron?
• What Drugs Interact with Medrol?
• How Should Decadron Be Taken?
• How Should Medrol Be Taken?

Decadron (dexamethasone) and Decadron (methylprednisolone) are corticosteroids used to treat arthritis, skin disorders, blood disorders, eye disorders, severe allergies, and many others.

Decadron is also used to treat certain types of cancer and occasionally, cerebral edema.

The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be available as a generic.

Side effects of Decadron and Decadron that are similar include nausea, stomach pain or upset, headache, dizziness, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Decadron that are different from Decadron include vomiting, acne, skin rash, increased hair growth, irregular menstrual periods, increased appetite, weight gain, easy bruising, anxiety, or depression.

Side effects of Decadron that are different from Decadron include skin problems (acne, dry and thinning skin, easy bruising or discoloration), slow wound healing, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in the neck, face, arms, legs, breasts, and waist), bloating, spinning sensation, increased sweating, and mood changes.

Both Decadron and Decadron may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, diuretics (water pills), insulin or oral diabetes medications, ketoconazole, rifampin, seizure medications, aspirin, and some vaccines.

Decadron may also interact with aminoglutethimide, potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B), macrolide antibiotics, anticholinesterases, antitubercular drugs, cholestyramine, dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), digitalis glycosides, ephedrine, estrogens and oral contraceptives, barbiturates, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), skin tests, and thalidomide.

Common side effects of Decadron include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• acne,
• skin rash,
• increased hair growth,
• irregular menstrual periods,
• trouble sleeping,
• increased appetite,
• weight gain,
• easy bruising,
• anxiety, or
• depression.

Side effects of Decadron (dexamethasone) listed above may become severe and include:

• GI bleeding,
• increased susceptibility to many types of infections, and
• swelling.

Common side effects of Medrol include:

• skin problems (acne, dry and thinning skin, easy bruising or discoloration),
• slow wound healing,
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in the neck, face, arms, legs, breasts, and waist),
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• increased sweating, and
• mood changes.

Serious side effects of Medrol include emergency medical conditions such as:

• low potassium,
• bloody vomit,
• bloody or tarry stools,
• high blood pressure,
• seizures,
• chest pains,
• mental status changes,
• pancreatitis,
• vision problems, and
• shortness of breath with swelling.

Decadron (dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid, similar to a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, used to treat arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, intestinal disorders, severe allergies, and asthma. Decadron is also used to treat certain types of cancer and occasionally, cerebral edema. The brand name Decadron is no longer available in the U.S; it may be available as a generic.

Medrol (methylprednisolone) is a glucocorticoid (adrenocortical steroid) that can depress the immune response and inflammation and is used in diseases ranging from rheumatologic, hematologic, endocrine, dermatologic, immunologic, allergic, and ophthalmologic to many others.

Decadron may interact with aminoglutethimide, potassium-depleting agents (e.g., amphotericin B, diuretics), macrolide antibiotics, anticholinesterases, oral anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antitubercular drugs, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), digitalis glycosides, ephedrine, estrogens and oral contraceptives, barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, ketoconazole, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), phenytoin, skin tests, thalidomide, and live or inactivated vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received. Decadron should be used during pregnancy or during breastfeeding only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus or infant. Infants may suffer adrenal suppression if their mothers use this drug during pregnancy. In special instances (for example, leukemia and nephrotic syndrome), Decadron has been used in pediatric patients. Such use should be done in most patients in conjunction with a pediatric specialist.

Medrol may interact with aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses), diuretics (water pills), blood thinner, cyclosporine, insulin or oral diabetes medications, ketoconazole, rifampin, seizure medications, or "live" vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use and all vaccines you recently received.

Decadron Tablets are available in 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4 and 6 mg strengths. The initial dosage for Decadron varies from .75 to 9 mg a day depending on the disease being treated. Infants born to mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from corticosteroids, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Use in pediatric patients is recommended to be done in consultation with a pediatric specialist.

Dosing depends on the condition being treated.