Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Solu-Medrol Act-O-Vial TM

You should seek medical advice in relation to medicines and use only as directed by a healthcare professional. Always read the label. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

Active ingredients: inert substance, methylprednisolone

Brand name

(ARTG)

: SOLU-MEDROL ACT-O-VIAL methylprednisolone (as sodium succinate) 40mg powder for injection and diluent in one vial

Download the Consumer Medicine Information Leaflet

Download consumer medicine information leaflet (pdf) from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website

What this medicine is used for

(ARTG)

When oral therapy is not feasible and the strength, dosage form and route of administration of the drug reasonably lend the preparation to the treatment of the condition, SOLU-MEDROL Powder for Injection is indicated only for intravenous or intramuscular use in the following conditions:,Endocrine Disorders, Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogues may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance)., Acute adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; mineralocorticoid supplementation may be necessary, particularly when synthetic analogues are used)., Preoperatively and in the event of serious trauma or illness, in patients with known adrenal insufficiency or when adrenocortical reserve is doubtful., Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy if adrenocortical insufficiency exists or is suspected., Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Nonsuppurative thyroiditis, Hypercalcaemia associated with cancer.,Rheumatic Disorders,As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in:, Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Acute and subacute bursitis, Epicondylitis, Synovitis of osteoarthritis, Acute gouty arthritis, Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low dose maintenance therapy).,Collagen Disease,During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis), Acute rheumatic carditis.,Dermatological Diseases, Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, Pemphigus, Severe psoriasis, Severe seborrhoeic dermatitis, Exfoliative dermatitis, Mycosis fungoides, Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome).,Allergic States,Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in:, Bronchial asthma, Drug hypersensitivity reactions, Contact dermatitis, Urticarial transfusion reactions, Atopic dermatitis, Serum sickness, Acute noninfectious laryngeal oedema (adrenaline is the drug of first choice).,Ophthalmic Diseases,Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as:, Allergic corneal marginal ulcers, Allergic conjunctivitis, Chorioretinitis, Anterior segment inflammation, Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, Iritis, iridocyclitis, Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, Keratitis, Optic neuritis, Sympathetic ophthalmia.,Gastrointestinal Diseases,To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in:, Ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy), Regional enteritis (systemic therapy).,Respiratory Diseases, Symptomatic sarcoidosis, Berylliosis, Aspiration pneumonitis, Loefflers syndrome not manageable by other means, Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy.,Haematologic Disorders, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults (IV only; IM administration is contraindicated), Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, Acquired (autoimmune) haemolytic anaemia, Erythroblastopenia (RBC anaemia), Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anaemia.,Neoplastic Diseases,For palliative management of:, Leukaemias and lymphomas in adults, Acute leukaemia of childhood.,Oedematous States, To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uraemia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus.,Nervous System, Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.,Miscellaneous, Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy., Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement., SOLU-MEDROL is beneficial as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with moderate to severe Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) when given within the first 72 hours of initial anti-pneumocystis treatment.

How to use this medicine

(ARTG)

This medicine is a pack that contains more than one component.

Component :

  • Diluent, not applicable
  • Intramuscular
  • Clear colourless liquid

Component :

  • Injection, powder for
  • Intramuscular
  • White freeze dried cake in bottom half of vial.

Storage conditions

(ARTG)

  • Store below 25 degrees Celsius
  • Protect from Light
  • Shelf lifetime is 2 Years.

Do I need a prescription ?

(ARTG)

These medicine packs are available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4 : Prescription Only Medicine.

  • 1 X ACT -O-VIALS with powder 40mg pack

We are unable to tell you if you need a prescription for these medicines. You can ask your pharmacist. This medicine is Not Scheduled.

  • and diluent 1mL in separate chambers pack

Is this medicine subsidised ?

(PBS)

This medicine was verified as being available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on December, 1 2024. To learn more about this subsidy, visit the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website.

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy ?

(AHT)

For the active ingredient methylprednisolone

This medicine is generally considered safe during pregnancy if taken as directed. During pregnancy, you should discuss your medicine use with your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting side effects

You can help ensure medicines are safe by reporting the side effects you experience.

You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems

Back to top back to top

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.