MPD Tablet (Methylprednisolone)

Adult dosage

The initial dose may vary from 4mg to 48mg per day of methylprednisolone, depending on the symptoms of the specific disease. In general, low doses are sufficient for conditions that are not severe, but a high initial dose may be required in certain patients. The initial dose should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is achieved. If a satisfactory clinical outcome is not obtained after a reasonable period, discontinue treatment and switch to another appropriate treatment. The dose should be determined individually according to the various diseases being treated and the patient's response. After an adequate response is achieved, an appropriate maintenance dose should be determined by reducing the initial dose at suitable intervals until the minimum dose that maintains an adequate clinical response is reached. Continuous monitoring of the dose is required. Circumstances that may require dose adjustment include improvement or worsening of the disease, individual patient response to the drug, and the effects on the patient of exposure to stressful situations that are not directly related to the symptoms of the disease being treated. In the latter case, it may be necessary to increase the dose for a period sufficient to ensure satisfactory control of the patient's condition. After long-term treatment, gradual dose reduction is recommended when discontinuing the drug. For the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, it is effective to administer prednisolone 200mg daily for 1 week, followed by prednisolone 80mg every other day for 1 month (4mg of methylprednisolone is equivalent to 5mg of prednisolone). Alternate-day therapy means administering twice the daily dose on one morning every other day. Although a single morning dose causes considerably less adrenal suppression than taking prednisolone (10mg) divided into 4 doses every 6 hours, there is evidence that when pharmacologic doses are used, some suppression of adrenal activity continues into the following day. Corticosteroids are considered short-acting (a single dose causes adrenal cortical suppression for 1¼ to 1½ days); therefore, alternate-day therapy is recommended. For more serious diseases, a regimen of high doses divided throughout the day is usually required for initial control of disease progression. The initial suppressive dose should be continued until a satisfactory clinical response is obtained, usually for 4 to 10 days in many allergic and collagen diseases. ① Switch to ADT and gradually reduce the amount of corticosteroid given on alternate days. ② As soon as possible, reduce the daily corticosteroid dose to the minimum effective dose according to disease control, and then change to an alternate-day schedule. If difficulties arise, it is preferable to administer 3 or even 4 times the daily dose on alternate days rather than merely doubling the daily dose. Once the patient is controlled again, attempt to reduce this dose to the minimum. Maximum adrenal cortical activity occurs from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., and minimum activity from 4 p.m. to midnight. When administered during the period of maximum activity (morning), exogenous corticosteroids suppress adrenal cortical activity the least. If acute exacerbations occur during disease progression, it may be necessary to return to a fully suppressive dose of corticosteroids divided throughout the day for control. Once controlled, the established alternate-day regimen may be tried again.

This medication should not be used in certain patients. For example, individuals who are allergic to this drug or its components or have had such experiences in the past should not take it. In addition, this medication should not be administered to patients with infections for which antibiotics are ineffective or with systemic fungal infections, as it may suppress immune function and worsen infections. Patients with viral infections such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and chickenpox should also not use this drug. It should not be administered to individuals currently receiving live vaccines or attenuated live vaccines. This medication contains lactose, and patients with genetic issues such as lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take it. This drug should be cautiously administered to patients with specific diseases such as glaucoma, tuberculosis, herpes simplex keratitis, posterior capsule cataract, electrolyte abnormalities, hypertension, thrombosis, or recent bowel anastomosis. Particularly, caution is required for patients with various conditions such as infections, diabetes, osteoporosis, renal failure, congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism, fatty liver, severe myasthenia gravis, the elderly, epilepsy, or ulcerative colitis. This medication can cause various side effects such as edema, sodium retention, potassium loss, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal ulcers, skin changes, neuropsychiatric disorders, endocrine system abnormalities, and increased eye pressure, so symptoms should be carefully monitored during administration. Long-term use may lead to adrenal insufficiency and withdrawal symptoms, so abrupt discontinuation should be avoided, and tapering should be done gradually. Due to its immunosuppressive effects, this medication may increase the risk of infections, so exposure to infections should be avoided, particularly ensuring that one is not exposed to chickenpox or measles. Also, this medication can interact with several other drugs, so if taking other medications, it is essential to inform healthcare professionals. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should use this medication cautiously, as it may affect the fetus, and it is safest to discontinue breastfeeding while on this drug. When administered to children, the minimum dose should be used and growth status should be closely monitored, as it may impact growth. In the elderly, there is an increased risk of side effects such as infections, diabetes, osteoporosis, and glaucoma, so administration should be very cautious. Finally, care should be taken during skin tests or vaccinations while on this medication, as rare but severe allergic reactions may occur; any abnormal symptoms should prompt immediate consultation with healthcare professionals.

Edema, sodium retention, potassium loss, fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension, myasthenia, aseptic necrosis of the femoral and humeral heads, steroid myopathy, loss of muscle mass, pathologic fracture of the pelvis, osteoporosis, spinal compression fractures, arthralgia, tendon rupture, increased ALT, increased AST, increased ALP, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, stomach pain, appetite loss, increased appetite, peptic ulcer, abdominal distension, pancreatitis, ulcerative esophagitis, diarrhea, delayed wound healing, facial erythema, thin and delicate skin, abnormal sweating, petechiae, purpura, skin response suppression, purpura, acne, hypertrichosis, hair loss, pigmentation, increased intracranial pressure, papilledema, seizures, dizziness, headache, insomnia, euphoria, depression, Cushing's syndrome, menstrual irregularities, pediatric growth suppression, symptoms of latent diabetes, secondary adrenal insufficiency, pituitary apathy, reduced glucose tolerance, increased demand for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, suppression of adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, subcapsular cataract, secondary infection, retinal disorders, proptosis, negative nitrogen balance, immune system disorders, allergic reactions, shock, urticaria, anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions

This medication should be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air or moisture. It is recommended to maintain storage temperatures between 1 degree and 30 degrees Celsius.

Appearance

White round tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 500 tablets/bottle