Drugs can be lifesaving in some instances, but even the most innocuous sounding medications can have serious side effects. Who would have imagined that Tylenol would be the leading cause of acute liver failure – despite the fact that it’s sold without a prescription? Another group of medications that have benefits, but also serious side effects are steroid based medications. This group of drugs is used to treat inflammation, a task they do well, but along with their positive benefits come some undesirable side effects. One steroid based medication that’s commonly used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions is Medrol. What are the side effects of Medrol and what do you need to know before you take this drug?
Side Effects of Medrol: Short Term vs. Long Term Use
Steroid medications like Medrol have fewer side effects when used short-term (less than ten days). Most of the serious side effects are seen when Medrol is used longer term to treat conditions such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. It may be prescribed on a short-term basis to treat severe allergic reactions or inflammatory skin conditions. Medrol is safest when used at low doses for short periods of time.
Side Effects of Medrol: Increased Risk of Infection
One of the ways Medrol helps in the treatment of allergic reactions and inflammatory conditions is by blocking the immune response. This can increase the risk of certain types of infection. The other problem is because of its anti-inflammatory effect it can mask the symptoms of infection, making a potentially serious infection more difficult to detect. It’s important for people taking a medication like Medrol to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and avoid being around people who are sick.
Weight gain is rarely a problem with short-term use of medrol, but longer term use can lead to a significant weight increase. Some of the increased weight is due to fluid retention, but it also increases appetite – making real weight gain a possibility. When used long term, it can cause redistribution of fat with more fat deposited in the abdominal region, upper body, and face and less in the lower extremities.
Side Effects of Medrol: Changes in Mood
Medrol can cause significant changes in mood ranging from anxiety and fearfulness to depression. Sleep disturbances, vivid dreams, and even delusions and hallucinations occur in some people. Many people experience a loss of energy and motivation while on steroid based medications.
Side Effects of Medrol: It Can Make Some Conditions Worse
Medrol can make it difficult to control blood sugars in diabetics and can worsen osteoporosis. Using Medrol for long periods of time increases the risk of osteoporosis since it causes loss of calcium from bone. It’s important while on this medication to get adequate quantities of calcium and vitamin D.
Another serious side effect of Medrol use is avascular necrosis. With this condition, blood supply to a bone, usually the one at the top of the thigh bone, is cut off which can lead to long-term pain and disability. Unfortunately, this condition is irreversible. Medrol can also interact with a variety of other medications.
The Bottom Line?
Medrol and other steroid based medications can have serious side effects and should be used for as short a time as possible. Never discontinue Medrol or any other steroid without medical guidance since it needs to be slowly tapered to avoid serious health consequences.
