methylprednisolone sodium succinate at a glance
Medicine class
Systemic glucocorticoid corticosteroid
Administration
Given into a vein or muscle by a healthcare professional
Main role
Rapid control of severe inflammatory, allergic, neurological or immune-mediated illness
Important precaution
Can increase susceptibility to infection and mask typical infection symptoms
What is methylprednisolone sodium succinate used for?
The selected products are licensed when a rapid and intense corticosteroid effect is required.
Severe allergic states, including bronchial asthma, angioedema and anaphylaxis, alongside appropriate emergency treatment
Severe erythema multiforme, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Aspiration of stomach contents
Fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis, with appropriate tuberculosis treatment
Cerebral oedema caused by a brain tumour
Acute exacerbations of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Transplantation-related treatment
How does methylprednisolone sodium succinate work?
It activates intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, altering gene activity to suppress inflammatory signalling and reduce immune-cell activation, swelling and tissue inflammation.
methylprednisolone sodium succinate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 40 mg, 125 mg, 500 mg, 1 g
How to take methylprednisolone sodium succinate
This preparation is administered by a trained healthcare professional rather than taken by mouth.
The powder is reconstituted before use and may be injected into a vein or muscle.
For infusion, only product-specified compatible fluids should be used.
The solution should be checked for particles or discolouration and kept separate from incompatible medicines.
It must not be administered intrathecally or epidurally.
methylprednisolone sodium succinate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Raised blood glucose
- Increased appetite
- Mood changes or difficulty sleeping
- Nausea, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
- Fluid retention or increased blood pressure
- Headache, dizziness or flushing
- Injection-site reactions
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Serious or unusually severe infection
- Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration or pancreatitis
- Severe psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis or suicidal thoughts
- Blood clot in the lung or a limb
- New visual disturbance
- Severe muscle weakness or breakdown
- Adrenal insufficiency following inappropriate withdrawal after sustained exposure
methylprednisolone sodium succinate in pregnancy
Systemic corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, can be used during pregnancy when recommended by a doctor and expected benefit outweighs risk. Repeated or prolonged exposure may affect fetal growth, and substantial exposure can require newborn observation for adrenal suppression. Do not change or stop treatment without prescriber review.
methylprednisolone sodium succinate while breastfeeding
Methylprednisolone is a preferred systemic corticosteroid during breastfeeding because negligible to very small amounts enter milk. Specialist assessment or infant monitoring may be appropriate if exposure is prolonged or the infant is premature, unwell or feeding poorly.
methylprednisolone sodium succinate interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before administration because clinically important interactions can occur.
Ritonavir, cobicistat and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Can increase exposure and systemic corticosteroid toxicity.
Itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin or erythromycin
May increase concentrations and adverse effects.
Rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital or carbamazepine
Can reduce exposure and clinical effect.
Common questions about methylprednisolone sodium succinate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is it given by injection?
The injectable, water-soluble preparation is used when a rapid systemic corticosteroid effect is required or oral treatment is unsuitable.
Can it treat anaphylaxis by itself?
No. It may be used as an adjunct, but does not replace immediate established emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.
Can it hide an infection?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.