Key takeaways

  • Methylprednisolone is a generic tablet that’s used for certain inflammatory and autoimmune conditions in adults and some children. Methylprednisolone’s side effects may vary depending on your age and the condition you’re using it to treat.
  • Side effects of methylprednisolone can also depend on the dosage you’re prescribed. For example, you may experience fewer or milder side effects from 4 mg of methylprednisolone than with 32 mg.
  • The most common side effects of methylprednisolone include high blood pressure, infection, and weight gain. Before taking methylprednisolone, be sure to talk with your doctor about your specific concerns and risk factors for certain side effects.

Methylprednisolone comes as a tablet that you swallow. It also comes in an injectable form, but this article only covers the side effects of methylprednisolone tablets.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their methylprednisolone treatment. Examples of methylprednisolone’s commonly reported side effects include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with methylprednisolone include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking methylprednisolone unless your doctor recommends it.

Methylprednisolone may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

It’s possible that methylprednisolone may cause serious side effects in some people.

Serious side effects that have been reported with methylprednisolone include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking methylprednisolone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Methylprednisolone’s side effects explained” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking methylprednisolone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, methylprednisolone can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking methylprednisolone.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to methylprednisolone, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Most of methylprednisolone’s side effects are the same in children as in adults. One difference is that methylprednisolone may suppress growth in children who take this drug. This risk is higher if your child takes methylprednisolone long term, takes higher doses, or both.

If your child’s doctor prescribes methylprednisolone, they’ll likely monitor their growth while they’re taking this medication.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about methylprednisolone’s side effects.

Is the risk of side effects with methylprednisolone 4-mg, or the 4-mg dose pack, different than with other strengths?

It depends. Some mild side effects of methylprednisolone, such as nausea or headache, can happen with any dose. With other side effects, the risk is higher if you take higher doses or take this medication long term.

For example, taking higher doses of methylprednisolone increases your risk of high blood pressure. And eye-related side effects are more likely if you take this medication long term.

So, your risk of certain side effects may be lower with methylprednisolone 4 milligrams (mg) than with higher strengths.

If you have other questions about the risk of side effects with different methylprednisolone doses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I experience side effects after stopping methylprednisolone?

It’s possible. Stopping methylprednisolone suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency. With this condition, your body doesn’t make enough cortisol (a hormone that helps you manage stress). You have a higher risk of adrenal insufficiency if you take higher doses of methylprednisolone, take the medication long term, or both.

To reduce the risk of this side effect, your doctor will likely decrease your dose gradually when you want to stop taking methylprednisolone.

It’s important to take methylprednisolone exactly as your doctor prescribes it. And don’t stop taking it without first talking with your doctor.

How do side effects of the methylprednisolone tablet compare to those of its injection forms?

Many side effects of the methylprednisolone oral tablet and the injection form are similar. But with the injectable form, you may have injection site reactions. This is not a side effect of the tablet.

Examples of reactions that may happen at or around the site of injection include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • redness or discoloration
  • bruising

If you have other questions about the risk of side effects with either the methylprednisolone tablets or injections, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects methylprednisolone may cause.

Weight gain

Some people taking methylprednisolone may gain weight. This is a common side effect of corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone. This is because corticosteroids can increase your appetite, which may lead to weight gain.

Weight gain with this medication is more common if you take high doses, take the drug long term, or both. Methylprednisolone can also make it hard for your body to get rid of salt and water. This may lead to bloating and weight gain.

Hormone changes caused by methylprednisolone may also increase the amount of fat in your face and belly, which may cause weight gain.

What might help

To reduce your risk of weight gain, your doctor will likely prescribe methylprednisolone at the lowest dose and for the shortest time that will treat your condition. Be sure to take this medication exactly as your doctor prescribes it.

Avoiding salty, fatty, and processed foods may help you manage your weight while taking methylprednisolone. And increasing your physical activity may help as well.

If you have concerns about weight gain while taking methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor.

Infection

Taking methylprednisolone can weaken your immune system, which increases your risk of infection.

In studies of methylprednisolone, the risk of infection was higher in people who took higher doses of methylprednisolone. The risk is also higher if you take other medications that may weaken your immune system.

Infections with methylprednisolone may happen anywhere in your body. And they can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites.

Symptoms of infection can include:

  • fever
  • diarrhea
  • chills
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • weakness
  • nausea

What might help

If you have symptoms of infection while taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor. They can order lab tests to check whether you have an infection. If they confirm that you have an infection, they’ll treat it with medication. They may also have you stop taking methylprednisolone while they treat your infection.

Because this drug weakens your immune system, you should avoid coming into contact with people who are sick or who’ve recently been sick. This includes people who have chickenpox, measles, or the flu.

Keeping track of side effects

During your methylprednisolone treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how X drug affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Before taking methylprednisolone, discuss your health history with your doctor. Methylprednisolone may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety
  • existing or recurring infections, including fungal infections
  • underactive thyroid
  • liver cirrhosis
  • stomach ulcer
  • diabetes or problems with blood sugar
  • heart problems, such as existing high blood pressure
  • eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts
  • previous allergic reaction to methylprednisolone or any of its ingredients
  • systemic sclerosis
  • history of cancer or tumors
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding

If you have any questions about side effects that methylprednisolone can cause, talk with your doctor. You can also ask them about Medrol, which is the brand-name version of methylprednisolone.

A generic drug and its brand-name version are expected to have the same side effects because they contain the same active ingredient. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • Is my risk of headache higher when I first start treatment?
  • Is my risk of mood changes higher if I take methylprednisolone long term?
  • Does my risk of eye problems depend on the dosage I take?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.