DESCRIPTION Medrol contains Methylprednisolone, a medication that treats a variety of musculoskeletal, otic, ocular, allergic, dermal, and collagen conditions, and many other recurrent or chronic diseases (such as nephrosis or ulcerative) colitis in cats and dogs.
Key Benefits:
Methylprednisolone is a glucocorticoid that treats a variety of inflammatory conditions, pets with immune-mediated diseases, and pets with adrenal gland diseases. It is similar to Prednisolone and Prednisone, but it is more potent.
Formulated For: Intended for cats and dogs.
How is Medication Given? Follow your veterinarian's directions when using this product.
What Results Can I Expect: Due to greater potency, Medrol allows for lower dosing to achieve the same results as Prednisolone or Prednisone, but without the greater likelihood of side effects (including polydipsia or polyuria). Peak activity serum levels are achieved within 1 or 2 hours, which means that itching is relieved rapidly. The easy-to-swallow, small tablets are cross-scored, which makes dosage adjustments convenient and simple.
What Form Does Medication Come In? Tablet
Dose and Administration: Sold as an individual tablet in a strength of 4 mg.
Possible Side Effects:
Promptly employ proper adrenocortical supportive therapy using hydrocortisone or cortisone, plus ACTH, if the animal undergoes severe infection, trauma, surgery, or other unusual stress. Because this product is known to suppress endogenous adrenocortical activity, it is essential that the patient is carefully supervised during and after treatment. Ecchymotic manifestations can occur, although none were noted in clinical studies involving cats and dogs. If a reaction occurs and is severe, dosage reduction or treatment withdrawal may be required. Concomitant use of ascorbic acid and supplements can help control ecchymotic conditions. Like excessive sodium retention, excessive potassium loss is not likely to be caused by an effective maintenance dose. However, these potential effects should be noted, and typical regulatory measures should be employed as needed. A negative nitrogen balance could occur, especially in animals requiring protracted maintenance therapy. Measures to counteract the persistent loss of nitrogen includes suitable anabolics and high protein intake, as needed. Patients with diabetes mellitus could cause increased requirement of insulin. With a therapeutically equivalent dose, the chances of side effect occurrence is lower than that of prednisolone. Reactions are generally absent in clinical trials of cats and dogs. It is similar to the metabolic alterations and side effects of prednisolone in prolonged or intensive treatment.
Precautions:
Corticosteroid use in pregnant dogs has caused anasarca, phocomelia, deformed forelegs, cleft palate, and fetal death in offspring; and it has caused metritis, retained placenta, dystocia, and premature parturition in the pregnant mother. This occurs with oral or parenteral use during the final trimester of pregnancy. This medication is a powerful therapeutic agent that influences the biochemical activity of most, perhaps all, body tissues. Because this can cause little sodium-retaining activity, the typical sign of overdose (fluid retention and body weight increase) does not reliably indicate overdose. For this reason, the recommended dosage rate should never be exceeded, and animals should be supervised closely by professionals. This medication inhibits fibroplasia, and it can mask infection symptoms. This can enhance the dissemination of the organism infecting the animal. For this reason, patients should be monitored for signs of an intercurrent infection. If an infection is noted, it should be controlled with proper antibacterials, or this medication should be withdrawn. Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of animals and children.
Storage Recommendations: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C).
In Case of Overdose: Contact the nearest emergency pet clinic immediately.
