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Brand name: Depo-Medrol TM

Active ingredients: methylprednisolone, methylprednisolone acetate

What it is used for

INDICATIONS AS AT 9 NOVEMBER 1993: A. For Intramuscular Administration: 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, the intramuscular use of DEPO-MEDROL is indicated as follows: 1. Endocrine Disorders: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone acetate 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 acetate 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. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Hypercalcaemia associated with cancer. Non-suppurative thyroiditis. 2. Rheumatic Disorders: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Epicondylitis. Synovitis of osteoarthritis. Acute non-specific tenosynovitis. Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy). Acute gouty arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis. Acute and subacute bursitis. 3. Collagen Diseases: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus. Acute rheumatic carditis. Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis). 4. Dermatological Diseases: Pemphigus. Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis. Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome). Severe seborrhoeic dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis. Severe psoriasis. Mycosis fungoides. 5. 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. Acute non-infectious laryngeal oedema (adrenaline is the drug of first choice). Serum sickness. 6. Ophthalmic Diseases: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Sympathetic ophthalmia. Iritis, Iridocyclitis. Anterior segment inflammation. Chorioretinitis. Allergic conjunctivitis. Diffuse posterior uveitis. Allergic corneal marginal ulcers. Optic neuritis. Keratitis. 7. Gastrointestinal Diseases: To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: Ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy). Regional enteritis (systemic therapy). 8. Respiratory Diseases: Symptomatic sarcoidosis. Berylliosis. Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Aspiration pneumonitis. Loeffler's Syndrome not manageable by other means. 9. Haematological Disorders: Acquired (autoimmune) haemolytic anaemia. Erythroblastopenia (RBC anaemia). Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults. Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anaemia. 10. Neoplastic Diseases: For palliative management of: Leukaemias and lymphomas in adults. Acute leukaemia in childhood. 11. 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. 12. Miscellaneous Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Trichinosis with neurological or myocardial involvement. B. For Intra-Articular Or Soft Tissue Administration: DEPO-MEDROL is indicated as adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide t he patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Synovitis of osteoarthritis. Epicondylitis. Rheumatoid arthritis. Acute non-specific tenosynovitis. Acute and subacute bursitis. Post traumatic osteoarthritis. Acute gouty arthritis. C. For Intralesional Administration: DEPO-MEDROL is indicated for intralesional use in the following conditions: Keloids. Discoid lupus erythematosus. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum. Alopecia areata. Localised hypertrophic, infiltrated inflammatory lesions of Licen Planus. psoriatic plaques, Granuloma Annulare and Lichen Simplex Chronicus (neurodermatitis). DEPO-MEDROL may also be useful in cystic tumours of an aponeurosis or tendon (ganglia).

How to take it

The way to take this medicine is: Intramuscular. This medicine is given through a needle inserted into the muscle beneath the skin.

  • Store below 30 degrees Celsius
  • Shelf lifetime is 3 Years.

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.

Visual appearance

White to off white suspension when mixed

Do I need a prescription?

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

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?

For the active ingredients: methylprednisolone

These medicines are generally considered safe during pregnancy if they are taken as directed. During pregnancy, you should discuss your medicine use with your doctor or pharmacist.

For the active ingredients: methylprednisolone acetate

You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking these medicines. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of these medicines during pregnancy.

Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)

For side effects, taking other medicines and more

Print the CMI.

Listen to the CMI.


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

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