Solumed-40 Injection

Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant) for:

• Severe allergic reactions, angioedema, severe asthma and COPD flare-ups
• Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, polymyalgia
• Severe skin diseases (pemphigus, severe dermatitis)
• Flare-ups of multiple sclerosis (high-dose IV)
• Inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune hepatitis
• Kidney diseases (nephrotic syndrome), transplant rejection
• Acetate injection: injection into joints or soft tissues for local inflammation

Oral (adults): 4–48 mg daily depending on the condition, usually as a single morning dose; reduce gradually to the lowest effective dose.

IV (sodium succinate, hospital): 10–40 mg; high-dose pulses 500 mg–1 g daily for 3–5 days (e.g. MS relapse, lupus).

Intra-articular (acetate): 4–80 mg depending on joint size.

Children: 0.5–1.7 mg/kg/day divided (specialist guidance).

• Take with food in the morning.
• Do not stop suddenly after more than 3 weeks of use — taper as advised.
• 4 mg methylprednisolone ≈ 5 mg prednisolone.

• Untreated systemic fungal or other serious infections
• Live vaccines during immunosuppressive doses
• Allergy to methylprednisolone
• Acetate injection: not for IV use

Short-term: increased appetite, indigestion, insomnia, mood changes, raised blood sugar, raised blood pressure, fluid retention.

Long-term: weight gain, moon face, thin skin and bruising, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cataract, glaucoma, adrenal suppression, increased infection risk, stomach ulcers, growth delay in children.

High-dose IV: taste disturbance, flushing, palpitations, rarely irregular heart rhythm.

• Carry a steroid card on long-term use; tell doctors before surgery.
• Avoid contact with chickenpox/measles if not immune.
• Monitor sugar, blood pressure, eyes and bone health on long courses.
• Diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, TB history, psychiatric illness: caution.

Use in pregnancy only if benefit outweighs risk; short courses are usually acceptable. Compatible with breastfeeding at usual doses.

• NSAIDs, aspirin (stomach ulcers)
• Diuretics, salbutamol (low potassium)
• Diabetes medicines (higher sugar)
• Warfarin (altered INR)
• Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin (reduce effect); ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir (increase effect)
• Live vaccines (avoid)

Single overdose rarely serious. Long-term excess causes Cushing's features. Seek advice.

Store below 30°C. Injection: use promptly after reconstitution.