Can Methylprednisolone Be Used To Treat A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Medrol (methylprednisolone) can be used to treat a UTI.
Can methylprednisolone be used to treat a urinary tract infection?
May 19, 2021- Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid that treats inflammation and allergic reactions, not bacterial infections like UTIs. UTIs are caused by bacteria such as E. coli and require an antibiotic to be cured. Contact your doctor or urgent care facility to get tested and receive the appropriate antibiotic treatment for your UTI.
Hi Rudi and thanks for reaching out to us.
Methylprednisolone (or by the brand name, Medrol) is a corticosteroid. It is available as a tablet, an IV solution, and an injectable suspension. It can be used for a number of different conditions, but it’s typically used to treat acute inflammation or a severe allergic reaction.
Urinary tract infections, or more commonly referred to as UTIs are typically a bacterial infection.
Different bacteria can cause UTIs, but the most common is E. coli. In order to kill off the E. coli or whatever other bacteria may be causing the infection, you’ll need to be prescribed an antibiotic.
I would contact your physician or if it’s a more urgent issue, go to an immediate care facility or emergency room. They might need to test your urine to make sure that it is indeed a UTI or test to see which bacteria are causing the problem (and which antibiotics would be an effective treatment against it), but visiting your physician is probably your best option.
As I mentioned earlier, methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid. It will not kill off any bacteria, so it will not resolve your urinary tract infection.
I hope this helps! Feel free to write us again in the future.
References & sources
- Medrol Prescribing Information — FDA
- Solu-Medrol Prescribing Information — FDA
- Diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections — Infectious Disease Clinics
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Methylprednisolone
- A prescription medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system, used to treat conditions like severe allergic reactions.
- Corticosteroid
- A type of steroid drug that reduces inflammation and swelling in the body.
- IV solution
- A liquid medication given directly into a vein through a needle or tube.
- Injectable suspension
- A liquid medication given by injection (shot) that contains solid particles mixed throughout.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Infections in any part of the urinary system, usually caused by bacteria.
- E. coli
- A common type of bacteria that frequently causes urinary tract infections.
- Antibiotic
- A medication that kills bacteria or stops bacterial growth to treat infections.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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