Comprimidos de Metilprednisolona

About methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone tablets belong to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It is sometimes referred to simply as an oral steroid. Esteroides orais are used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Some examples include inflammatory bowel diseases (for example, Doença de Crohn, colite ulcerativa), autoimmune diseases (for example, lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), sarcodose), joint and muscle diseases (for example, artrite reumatoide), and alergias. They are also used to treat some cancers.

Methylprednisolone works in part by interfering with the release of certain chemicals in your body which cause inflammation.

Methylprednisolone is also available in the form of an injection. Some types of injection are used when treatment is needed quickly, or a person is unable to swallow tablets. Other types of injection are given to relieve inflammation in a specific area, such as a painful or swollen joint. This leaflet gives advice for people taking methylprednisolone tablets.

Before taking methylprednisolone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking methylprednisolone it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se você tem pressão alta (hipertensão).

• Se você teve um ataque cardíaco, ou se tem qualquer outro problema cardíaco.

• Se você tiver algum problema com o funcionamento do seu fígado, ou se tiver algum problema com o funcionamento dos seus rins.

• Se você (ou um parente próximo) tem diabetes ou uma condição ocular chamada glaucoma.

• If you have any of the following conditions: an underactive thyroid, 'thinning' of the bones (osteoporosis), epilepsy, a condition causing muscle weakness (called myasthenia gravis), a stomach ulcer, or a bowel disorder.

• Se você já teve um problema de saúde mental.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Oral steroids like methylprednisolone can be taken while you are expecting or breastfeeding; however, it is important that your doctor knows about the baby.)

• Se você tem qualquer tipo de infecção no momento, ou se já teve tuberculose (TB).

• Se você já teve um coágulo sanguíneo indesejado em uma artéria ou veia.

• Se você recentemente tomou, ou está prestes a tomar, alguma vacina.

• If you are taking other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a um medicamento, ou se já desenvolveu dor muscular após tomar um medicamento esteroide.

How to take methylprednisolone tablets

• Before starting the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and any additional information you are given by your doctor. These will give you more information about methylprednisolone and will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets to take for each dose. It is usual to take methylprednisolone once daily at breakfast-time. If you have been told otherwise, you must take the tablets exactly as you have been told by your doctor.

• Take methylprednisolone with food. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

• Se você esquecer de tomar uma dose no horário habitual, tome-a assim que se lembrar (com algo para comer). Se você não se lembrar até o dia seguinte, pule a dose esquecida. Não tome duas doses juntas para compensar uma dose esquecida.

• Continue to take methylprednisolone until your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping taking the tablets suddenly can cause problems so your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually over a period of time if/when this becomes necessary.

Obtendo o máximo do seu tratamento

• If your course of treatment is due to last more than three weeks, you will be given a 'Steroid Treatment Card' which says that you are on steroids and contains some important advice for you. It is important that you read this card and carry it with you at all times. It also contains details about your dose, how long you have been taking methylprednisolone for, and who prescribed it for you. Please make sure that this information is kept up to date. If you are having an operation or dental treatment or any treatment for an injury, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking methylprednisolone and show them your treatment card. This is because your dose may need adjusting.

• Tente manter suas consultas regulares com seu médico. Isso é para que seu médico possa verificar seu progresso. Seu médico desejará que você faça exames de tempos em tempos para garantir que você permaneça livre de alguns dos efeitos colaterais indesejados do tratamento.

• There are several strengths of methylprednisolone tablets available: 2 mg, 4 mg, 16 mg, and 100 mg. Each time you collect a new supply of tablets from your pharmacy, check to see if the tablets are the same as before. If they are different, speak with your pharmacist who will check it out for you.

• Methylprednisolone can suppress your immune system, so it is important if you become ill that you make an appointment to see your doctor straightaway. Also, if you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chickenpox (or anyone who suspects they might have them), you deve see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Some vaccines are not suitable for you while you are being treated with methylprednisolone. If you need any immunisations, make sure you mention that you are taking an oral steroid.

• It is best not to drink grapefruit juice while you are on methylprednisolone. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice is thought to increase the amount of methylprednisolone in your bloodstream, and could make side-effects more likely.

• If you buy any medicines, check with your pharmacist that they are suitable to take with methylprednisolone.

Can methylprednisolone cause problems?

Along with its useful effects, methylprednisolone can cause unwanted side-effects which your doctor will discuss with you. The benefits of taking an oral steroid usually outweigh the side-effects; however, they can sometimes be troublesome. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with methylprednisolone. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below.

Embora nem todos experimentem efeitos colaterais, e alguns melhorem à medida que seu corpo se ajusta ao novo medicamento, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico se ficar preocupado com qualquer um dos seguintes:

Importante: you should let your doctor know if you start to experience blurred vision or other vision problems whilst taking methylprednisolone.

For more information about side-effects which are possible when methylprednisolone is taken long-term, see the separate leaflet called Esteroides Orais.

How to store methylprednisolone tablets

• Mantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.

• Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.

Informações importantes sobre todos os medicamentos