Methylprednisolone

Methylprednisolone

Clinical data
Trade names	Medrol, Meprolone, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682795
License data	US FDA: Methylprednisolone
Pregnancy category	AU: A US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	IV, IM, by mouth
ATC code	D07AA01 (WHO) D07AC14 (WHO), D10AA02 (WHO), H02AB04 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	UK: POM (Prescription only) US: ℞-only
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	78%
Metabolism	liver primarily, kidney, tissues; CYP450: 3A4 substrate
Biological half-life	urine; Half-life: 18-26h (biological)
Identifiers
IUPAC name (1S,2R,8S,10S,11S,14R,15S,17S)-14,17-dihydroxy-14-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-2,8,15-trimethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.02,7.011,15]heptadeca-3,6-dien-5-one
Synonyms	(6α, 11β)-11,17,21-trihydroxy-6-methyl-pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione
CAS Number	83-43-2 Y
PubChem CID	6741
IUPHAR/BPS	7088
DrugBank	DB00959 Y
ChemSpider	6485 Y
UNII	X4W7ZR7023
KEGG	D00407 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:6888 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL650 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.343
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H30O5
Molar mass	374.471 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C\1\C=C/[C@]4(/C(=C/1)[C@@H](C)C[C@@H]2[C@@H]4[C@@H](O)C[C@@]3([C@@](O)(C(=O)CO)CC[C@@H]23)C)C
InChI InChI=1S/C22H30O5/c1-12-8-14-15-5-7-22(27,18(26)11-23)21(15,3)10-17(25)19(14)20(2)6-4-13(24)9-16(12)20/h4,6,9,12,14-15,17,19,23,25,27H,5,7-8,10-11H2,1-3H3/t12-,14-,15-,17-,19+,20-,21-,22-/m0/s1 Y Key:VHRSUDSXCMQTMA-PJHHCJLFSA-N Y

Methylprednisolone, sold under the brand names Depo-Medrol and Solu-Medrol among others, is a corticosteroid medication used to suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation. Conditions in which it is used include skin diseases, rheumatic disorders, allergies, asthma, croup, COPD, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, and as add-on therapy for tuberculosis. It is given by mouth or by injection into a vein, or muscle.

Serious side effects may include mental health problems and an increased risk of infection. Common side effects with long-term use include osteoporosis, cataracts, weakness, easy bruising, and yeast infections. Short-term use around the time of delivery is safe for the baby; however, long-term use during pregnancy may result in harm. Methylprednisolone is in the glucocorticoid family of medication.

Methylprednisolone was approved for medical use in 1955. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Methylprednisolone is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 3.81 to 9.35 USD per 500 mg vial. In the United States a course of treatment typically costs less than 25 USD.