iv bag
Methylprednisolone (Solu Medrol ®)
The authors make no claims of the accuracy of the information contained herein; and these suggested doses and/or guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement. Neither GlobalRPh Inc. nor any other party involved in the preparation of this document shall be liable for any special, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting in whole or part from any user's use of or reliance upon this material.    PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE. BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE DISCLAIMER.

Usual Diluents
D5W, NS

Standard Dilutions   [Amount of drug] [Infusion volume] [Infusion rate]
[60 -100 mg] [50 ml] [30 min]
[101-500mg] [100ml] [As directed]
[501-1250mg][250ml] [As directed]

Stability / Miscellaneous
Methylpred dose/ 0.8 =prednisone dose

EXP: 1 DAY (RT)
Label: Do not Refrigerate.
May be given IM, IVpush, or IVPB.

High dose: 30 mg/kg over 30 minutes (may rpt q4-6h) in a 48hr period.

Asthma: 2 mg/ kg q4 -6h until severe symptoms controlled, then reduce dose.

MS acute exacerbation: 500 mg once daily x 5 days.

PCP: 40 to 60 mg every 6 hours or pulse dosing: 250 to 1000mg once daily x 3 to 5 days.

Spinal cord injury: 30 mg/kg (over 15 to 30 minutes) then 5.4 mg/ kg/ hr x 23 hours. (higher doses possible).

Medrol dose pack: (4mg tab # 21): Day#1: 2 tabs before breakfast, 1 tab after lunch & dinner, and 2 tabs at bedtime. (Total=6 tabs) If received later in the day, may take all 6 tablets at once or in divided doses. Day#2: 1 tab before breakfast, 1 tab after lunch & dinner, and 2 tablets at bedtime. Day#3: Same as day#2 except 1 tab at bedtime. Day#4: 1 tab before breakfast, after lunch and at bedtime. Day#5: 1 tab after breakfast and at bedtime. Day#6: 1 tab after breakfast.


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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
When high dose therapy is desired, the recommended dose of A-Methapred sterile powder is 30 mg/kg administered intravenously over at least 30 minutes. This dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours for 48 hours.

In general, high dose corticosteroid therapy should be continued only until the patient’s condition has stabilized; usually not beyond 48 to 72 hours.

Although adverse effects associated with high dose short-term corticoid therapy are uncommon, peptic ulceration may occur. Prophylactic antacid therapy may be indicated.

In other indications initial dosage will vary from 10 to 40 mg of methylprednisolone depending on the clinical problem being treated. The larger doses may be required for short-term management of severe, acute conditions. The initial dose usually should be given intravenously over a period of several minutes. Subsequent doses may be given intravenously or intramuscularly at intervals dictated by the patient’s response and clinical condition. Corticoid therapy is an adjunct to, and not replacement for conventional therapy.

Dosage may be reduced for infants and children but should be governed more by the severity of the condition and response of the patient than by age or size. It should not be less than 0.5 mg/kg every 24 hours.

Dosage must be decreased or discontinued gradually when the drug has been administered for more than a few days. If a period of spontaneous remission occurs in a chronic condition, treatment should be discontinued. Routine laboratory studies, such as urinalysis, two-hour postprandial blood sugar, determination of blood pressure and body weight, and a chest X-ray should be made at regular intervals during prolonged therapy. Upper GI X-rays are desirable in patients with an ulcer history or significant dyspepsia.

A-Methapred may be administered by intravenous or intramuscular injection or by intravenous infusion, the preferred method for initial emergency use being intravenous injection. To administer by intravenous (or intramuscular) injection, prepare solution as directed. The desired dose may be administered intravenously over a period of several minutes.

To prepare solutions for intravenous infusion, first prepare the solution for injection as directed. This solution may then be added to indicated amounts of 5% dextrose in water, isotonic saline solution or 5% dextrose in isotonic saline solution.

Multiple Sclerosis
In treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, daily doses of 200 mg of prednisolone for a week followed by 80 mg every other day for 1 month have been shown to be effective (4 mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisolone).

Directions for Reconstitution
1.Remove protective cap.
2.Cleanse stopper with suitable germicide.
3.Aseptically add 1 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (with benzyl alcohol) for the 40 mg vial or 2 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (with benzyl alcohol) for the 125 mg vial.
4.Agitate to effect solution.
5.Invert vial. Insert needle through target area of stopper until tip is just visible. Withdraw dose.

STORAGE CONDITIONS
Protect from light.

Store unreconstituted product at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]

Store solution at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]

Use solution within 48 hours after mixing.

HOW SUPPLIED
A-Methapred sterile powder is available in the following packages:

List Container Concentration
3217 Single-Dose Vial 40 mg/vial
3218 Single-Dose Vial 125 mg/vial

Rev: October, 2005
©Hospira 2005EN-1059
HOSPIRA, INC., LAKE FOREST, IL 60045 USA

Source: [package insert]
The authors make no claims of the accuracy of the information contained herein; and these suggested doses and/or guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement. Neither GlobalRPh Inc. nor any other party involved in the preparation of this document shall be liable for any special, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting in whole or part from any user's use of or reliance upon this material.    PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE. BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE DISCLAIMER.