Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) Flashcards
Generic/Trade Name
METHYLPREDNISOLONE
Solu-Medrol®
Generic/Trade Name
Solu-Medrol®
METHYLPREDNISOLONE
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Drug Classification:
- Corticosteroid
- Anti-inflammatory
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Mechanism of Action:
Diffuses across the cell membrane, binds to DNA, regulates gene expression and increases synthesis of proteins and enzymes that inhibit inflammatory agents (cytokines, interleukin, interferon); inhibits synthesis of pro-inflammatory enzymes
*Is an immunosuppressant*
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Onset of Action
2-6 hours
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Peak Effects
4-8 days
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Duration of Effect
1-5 weeks
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Half-Life
3.5 hours
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Indications/Field Use:
- Severe anaphylaxis
- hives
- Asthma
- COPD
- Spinal cord injury
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Contraindications:
None EMS
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions:
- Fluid retention
- CHF
- HTN
- abd. distention
- vertigo
- HA
- nausea
- malaise
- hiccups
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
ADULT Dose Asthma/Anaphylaxis:
ADULT Dose Spinal cord injury:
- 125-250mg IV, IO
- 30mg/kg IV, IO over 15min, maintenance 5.4mg/kg/hr for 24-48h
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
PEDI Dose Asthma/Anaphylaxis
2mg/kg IV, IO, IM; max dose 80mg
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Precautions:
- Give only one dose prehospitally,
- LT steroid use can cause GI bleeding,
- prolonged wound healing
- suppression of adrenocortical steroids
METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol®)
Drug-Drug Interactions:
- Lasix and thiazide diuretics increase potassium loss;
- decreased effect with phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampin due to increased metabolism of steroids
