Methylprednisolone
This drug decreases inflammation by suppressing white blood cell migration and reversing capillary permeability.
Drug Class
Corticosteroid
Therapeutic Uses
Methylprednisolone is a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent; antiemetic; synthetic glucocorticoid; and neuroprotective agent.
Glucocorticoids are usually contraindicated in animals with meningitis or meningoencephalitis caused by infections; however, a high-dose, short-term course of methylprednisolone may control life-threatening complications such as acute cerebral edema and impending brain herniation 1.
Brand Names
Methylprednisolone is an active ingredient in the following brand name canine drugs:
- Medrol Tablets
- Cortaba Tablets
- Depo-Medrol (20 mg) Sterile Aqueous Suspension
- Methylprednisolene Tablets
- Methylprednisolone Acetate Inj.
Dogs
Methylprednisolone is used in dogs as an anti-inflammatory agent. 2 Treatment with methylprednisolone may be helpful if instituted within the first few hours of spinal cord/ injury. Treatment of inflammation and related disorders in cats and dogs; treatment of allergic and dermatologic disorders in cats and dogs; and as supportive therapy to antibacterial treatment of severe infections in cats and dogs 1.
Toxicity
Repeated-dose toxicity were carried out with methylprednisolone in dogs using daily oral doses of 0, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg for 42 days and daily intramuscular administration of 1.1 to 1.5 mg/kg bw/day methylprednisolone for 5 weeks. In a special study to investigate adrenal gland function, groups of dogs were dosed orally with 2 or 4 mg/day or intramuscularly with 2.5 mg/kg bw once a week. The main effects in these studies were reduced body weight, skeletal muscle atrophy, increased glycogen deposition in the liver, and adrenal atrophy. 3
Steroid use may mask some signs of infection and may make one susceptible to infections. Prolonged use of steroids may promote the development of cataracts, glaucoma and eye infections. The drug should be used with caution in animals with hyperthyroidism, liver problems, ulcerative colitis, convulsive disorders, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, and increased age.
Source: REF FILE #AD-105
Veterinary Anti-inflammatory Drugs
References:
REF FILE 324-DAC
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