medrol
Pharmaranks rates Medrol 2.8/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Medrol (Methylprednisolone) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Methylprednisolone · by Pfizer
Available as a generic: Methylprednisolone
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Methylprednisolone
- Drug class
- Corticosteroid
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Methylprednisolone 16MG · Methylprednisolone 24MG · Methylprednisolone 2MG · Methylprednisolone 32MG · Methylprednisolone 4MG · Methylprednisolone 8MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- adrenal insufficiency, asthma, berylliosis
- Manufacturer
- Pfizer
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$30.69 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA011153
What is Medrol?
From the FDA label:Methylprednisolone tablets are glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, which are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Methylprednisolone occurs as a white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. It is sparingly soluble in alcohol, dioxane, and methanol; slightly soluble in acetone and chloroform, and very slightly soluble in ether. It is practically insoluble in water. The chemical name for methylprednisolone is pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,11,17,21-trihydroxy-6-methyl-,(6α,11β)- and the molecular weight is 374.48. The structural formula is represented as follows: Each tablet contains 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg or 32 mg of methylprednisolone. Inactive ingredients: 4 mg and 8 mg 16 mg and 32 mg Calcium Stearate Calcium Stearate Corn Starch Corn Starch Lactose Lactose Sucrose Mineral Oil Sucrose Chemical Structure
How to use
The initial dosage of methylprednisolone tablets may vary from 4 mg to 48 mg of methylprednisolone per day, depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity, lower doses will generally suffice, while in selected patients, higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, methylprednisolone tablets should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT . After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient's individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to…
Side effects
Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances • Sodium retention • Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients • Hypertension • Fluid retention • Potassium loss • Hypokalemic alkalosis Musculoskeletal • Muscle weakness • Loss of muscle mass • Steroid myopathy • Osteoporosis • Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon • Vertebral compression fractures • Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads • Pathologic fracture of long bones Gastrointestinal • Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage • Pancreatitis • Abdominal distention • Ulcerative esophagitis Increases in alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT), and alkaline phosphatase have been observed following corticosteroid treatment. These changes are usually small, not associated with any clinical syndrome, and reversible upon discontinuation. Dermatologic • Impaired wound healing • Petechiae and ecchymoses • May suppress reactions to skin tests • Thin fragile skin • Facial erythema • Increased sweating Neurological • Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudo-tumor cerebri), usually after treatment • Convulsions • Vertigo • Headache Endocrine • Development of Cushingoid state • Suppression of growth in children • Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness • Menstrual irregularities •…
Warnings
Important safety information
In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated. Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can: • Reduce resistance to new infections • Exacerbate existing infections • Increase the risk of disseminated infections • Increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections • Mask some signs of infection Corticosteroid-associated infections can be mild but can be severe and at times fatal. The rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteroid dosages. Monitor for the development of infection and consider methylprednisolone withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed. Tuberculosis If methylprednisolone is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of tuberculosis may occur. Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged methylprednisolone therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis. Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone. In corticosteroid-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles: • If a methylprednisolone-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. • If a methylprednisolone-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin may be indicated. Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone. Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteroid-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection. Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before initiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with methylprednisolone. For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy. Fungal Infections Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid methylprednisolone use in the presence of such infections unless methylprednisolone is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic methylprednisolone therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, methylprednisolone withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended. Amebiasis Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, may activate latent amebiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating methylprednisolone in patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea. Strongyloides Infestation Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia. Cerebral Malaria Avoid corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, in patients with cerebral malaria. Ophthalmic Effects Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses. Kaposi’s Sarcoma Kaposi’s sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy, most often for chronic conditions. Discontinuation of corticosteroids may result in clinical improvement of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Hypertension, Volume Overload, and Hypokalemia Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium. These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion. Vaccination Administration of live or live, attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered to patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids; however, the response to such vaccines may be diminished. Indicated immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients receiving nonimmunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Usage in Pregnancy Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers or women of child-bearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus. Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy, should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.
Who should not take Medrol
Systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components.
Interactions
The pharmacokinetic interactions listed below are potentially clinically important. Mutual inhibition of metabolism occurs with concurrent use of cyclosporine and methylprednisolone; therefore, it is possible that adverse events associated with the individual use of either drug may be more apt to occur. Convulsions have been reported with concurrent use of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine. Drugs that induce hepatic enzymes such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and rifampin may increase the clearance of methylprednisolone and may require increases in methylprednisolone dose to achieve the desired response. Drugs such as troleandomycin and ketoconazole may inhibit the metabolism of methylprednisolone and thus decrease its clearance. Therefore, the dose of methylprednisolone should be titrated to avoid steroid toxicity. Methylprednisolone may increase the clearance of chronic high-dose aspirin. This could lead to decreased salicylate serum levels or increase the risk of salicylate toxicity when methylprednisolone is withdrawn. Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in patients suffering from hypoprothrombinemia. The effect of methylprednisolone on oral anticoagulants is variable. There are reports of enhanced as well as diminished effects of anticoagulants when given concurrently with corticosteroids. Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect.
Storing Medrol, and how long it keeps
Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.
- “Use within 48 hours after mixing.”
Drug class
How this class works, per Corticosteroids - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Medrol ranks — best-rated corticosteroid for:
Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Medrol treat?
- Medrol (Methylprednisolone) may be used to treat adrenal insufficiency, asthma, berylliosis, brain neoplasms, ulcerative colitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Medrol work?
- Medrol is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids mimic the body's natural stress hormone cortisol: they enter cells and bind a glucocorticoid receptor that switches off genes for inflammatory chemicals, calming swelling, redness, and an overactive immune response.
- How is Medrol rated?
- pharmaranks gives Medrol a composite score of 2.8 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Medrol cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $30.69 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Medrol?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Medrol. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Medrol?
- Medrol is marketed by Pfizer. You can see Pfizer's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Medrol a brand-name or generic drug?
- Medrol is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Methylprednisolone. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Methylprednisolone are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Medrol available over the counter?
- No. Medrol is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Medrol come in?
- Medrol is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Medrol?
- Medrol is classified as corticosteroid, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Medrol FDA-registered?
- Medrol is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA011153. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Medrol been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Medrol has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Medrol safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Medrol a recall-safety score of 56/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Medrol?
- Medrol's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances • Sodium retention • Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients • Hypertension • Fluid retention • Potassium loss • Hypokalemic alkalosis Musculoskeletal • Muscle weakness • Loss of muscle mass • Steroid myopathy • Osteoporosis • Tendon rupture,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about METHYLPREDNISOLONE
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 130,615 reports naming METHYLPREDNISOLONE — the active ingredient in Medrol, and the FDA flagged 91% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- fatigue7,703 reports
- headache7,121 reports
- nausea7,081 reports
- pyrexia6,842 reports
- pneumonia6,741 reports
- arthralgia6,234 reports
- diarrhoea6,035 reports
- dyspnoea6,031 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean METHYLPREDNISOLONE caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.
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medrol
56/100