Do You Take Medrol Dose Pack Pills All At Once?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses how to properly your Medrol Dose Pack (methylprednisolone).
Question
Do you take each day of Medrol Dose Pack Pills one time or do I need to split them up?
Answered by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist
Staff
Last updated Apr 25, 2024
Key points
- It is recommended to divide your daily doses of tablets from the Medrol Dose Pack as instructed on the package
- However, on day 1 of tablets, you may need to take the entire dose at once, depending on the time you get your prescription. This is safe but the medication should be taken with food to reduce nausea.
Hi there and thanks for your question!
The Medrol Dose Pack is a 6-day tapering dose of methylprednisolone, which is typically used for the treatment of allergic reactions, cough/cold symptoms and asthma exacerbations.
Medrol Dose Pack Dosing
The Medrol Dose Pack contains 21 tablets, with each tablet containing 4mg of methylprednisolone, intended to be taken over 6 days as follows:
- Day 1: 6 Tablets
- Day 2: 5 Tablets
- Day 3: 4 Tablets
- Day 4: 3 Tablets
- Day 5: 2 Tablets
- Day 6: 1 Tablet
While you can take each day's tablets all at once, it isn't recommended since methylprednisolone can cause nausea, stomach cramps, and insomnia. Taking the entire days' worth of tablets at one time can increase the risk of these side effects.
It is generally prudent to take your total daily amount in divided doses, as directed on the package.
The one caveat is that oftentimes, individuals get their Medrol Dose Pack prescription later in the day, and you should start as soon as possible. This makes it difficult or impossible to divide the first days' tablets. In this case, it makes sense to take all of the day 1 tablets at once, which will help to alleviate your symptoms quickly, and then begin dividing the doses starting with day 2.
Below, is the most commonly recommended way to take your Medrol Dose Pack:
Day 1
- 8 mg (2 tablets) before breakfast
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after lunch
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after supper
- 8 mg (2 tablets) at bedtime
- Total of 6 tablets
If you get your prescription late in the day, you may take 24 mg (6 tablets) as a single dose. If you take all the tablets at one time, be sure to take the dose with food to minimize nausea.
Day 2
- 4 mg (1 tablet) before breakfast
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after lunch
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after supper
- 8mg (2 tablets) at bedtime
- Total of 5 tablets
Day 3
- 4 mg (1 tablet) before breakfast
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after lunch
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after supper
- 4 mg (1 tablet) at bedtime
- Total of 4 tablets
Day 4
- 4 mg (1 tablet) before breakfast
- 4 mg (1 tablet) after lunch
- 4 mg (1 tablet) at bedtime
- Total of 3 tablets
Day 5
- 4 mg (1 tablet) before breakfast
- 4 mg (1 tablet) at bedtime
- Total of 2 tablets
Day 6
- 4 mg (1 tablet) before breakfast
- Total of 1 tablet
Final Words
Thanks again for your question and feel free to reach out to us again with any additional questions!
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Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
- 39288 views
About the Pharmacist
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.
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