How Long Does Medrol Dose Pack Take To Start Working?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses how long it takes for Medrol (methylprednisolone) to start working.
I just started a Medrol Dose Pack. I have taken it in the past. How long does it take to know that it's working?
Dec 14, 2021- How soon Medrol Dose Pack works depends on what you're taking it for, ranging from 12 to 24 hours for skin conditions like poison ivy to a few days for pain and inflammation.
- The medication is rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream within 1 to 2 hours after taking it by mouth, but this doesn't mean you'll notice symptom relief that quickly.
- Taking Medrol Dose Pack with food can help reduce nausea, which is the most common side effect.
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How soon you will start to feel your Medrol Dose Pack (methylprednisolone) working depends both on the individual taking it and what exactly you are taking it for.
For example, if you are taking it for the treatment of pain, say, low back or joint pain, it might take a few days to begin to notice the effects as inflammation subsides.
If you are taking it for the treatment of contact dermatitis, like poison ivy, you most likely will begin to feel better much faster, within 12 to 24 hours.
From a pharmacokinetic standpoint, which relates to measurable characteristics of drugs such as their absorption, distribution, and metabolism, methylprednisolone (the oral tablet form) is a fast-acting drug.
After taking it by mouth, it is rapidly absorbed and peak concentrations in the blood are reached within 1-2 hours.
However, just because it is absorbed from the GI tract and reaches the bloodstream quickly, this doesn't necessarily mean you'll notice the effects that fast.
Onset Of Action
There have been numerous studies evaluating the effects of methylprednisolone (or similar systemic steroids) for the treatment of a variety of indications, including acute back pain, bronchitis, pneumonia, gout, contact dermatitis (e.g. poison ivy), and asthma.
When steroids like methylprednisolone are effective, most report that you will notice benefits within 12 to 24 hours, although this can vary by individual and vary based on what you are treating.
Asthma/COPD
One study, Oral corticosteroids in patients admitted to hospital with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective randomised controlled trial, found that a short course of oral steroids, like Medrol, significantly improved lung function within 24 hours. It also had longer-term positive effects, such as an overall reduction in the duration of hospital stay, and disease relapse.
Contact Dermatitis
Another study, which evaluated the effects of steroids like methylprednisolone in cases of contact dermatitis (like poison ivy), showed that a reduction in symptoms happens often within 12 hours of administration. This is most likely due to the fact that it acts as both an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant.
Gout
There is also a large body of evidence showing that methylprednisolone can work quickly to relieve the symptoms of an acute gout attack, sometimes within just a few hours of administration. In fact, the 2012 American College of Rheumatology guidelines for the management of gout recommends systemic steroids, like methylprednisolone, in certain individuals for the treatment of an acute gout attack.
Other Conditions
There are cases where you may not notice the effects of Medrol all that quickly.
For pain symptoms, methylprednisone won't feel like it's necessarily fast acting. Since its pain-reducing effects are closely tied to its anti-inflammatory properties, it may take a day or two after starting to notice positive effects.
When used for acute sinusitis, bronchitis, or sore throat, many studies suggest that steroids aren't all that beneficial overall, but may help slightly in reducing symptom duration (by an average of about a day).
What Is A Medrol Dose Pack?
A Medrol Dose Pack is a short, 6-day course of the corticosteroid methylprednisolone. It is a 'tapering' dose, starting at 24mg on day one, and decreasing by 4 mg every day.
Courses of steroids, even short ones, are prescribed as 'tapering' doses to reduce the risk of side effects and adverse reactions. Tapering may prevent, or reduce the risk of:
- HPA axis (i.e. adrenal) suppression
- Disease relapse or flare
Directions For Use
The labeled directions for the Medrol Dose Pack are:
- 1st Day: 2 tablets (8 mg) before breakfast, 1 tablet (4 mg) after lunch, 1 tablet (4 mg) after supper, and 2 tablets (8 mg) at bedtime.
- 2nd Day: 1 tablet (4 mg) before breakfast. 1 tablet (4 mg) after lunch, 1 tablet (4 mg) after supper, and 2 tablets (8 mg) at bedtime.
- 3rd day: 1 tablet (4 mg) before breakfast, 1 tablet (4 mg) after lunch, 1 tablet (4 mg) after supper, and 1 tablet (4 mg) at bedtime.
- 4th day: 1 tablet (4 mg) before breakfast, 1 tablet (4 mg) after lunch, and 1 tablet (4 mg) at bedtime.
- 5th day: 1 tablet (4 mg) before breakfast, and 1 tablet (4 mg) at bedtime.
- 6th day: 1 tablet (4 mg) before breakfast.
The above dosing regimen is just a recommendation and may be altered by your doctor based on your individual needs and response.
Side Effects
Other common side effects include:
- Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar)
- Heartburn
- Insomnia
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Increased or decreased energy
Final Words
Thanks again for your question!
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References & sources
- Elsevier ClinicalKey: Methylprednisolone (Accessed 1/17/19) — Elsevier ClinicalKey
- Side effects of short-term oral corticosteroids — PubMed
- 2012 American College of Rheumatology guidelines for management of gout. Part 2: therapy and antiinflammatory prophylaxis of acute gouty arthritis. — Arthritis Care & Research Vol. 64, No. 10, October 2012, pp 1447–1461
- Adjunct prednisone therapy for patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial — PubMed
- Contact dermatitis: a practice parameter — PubMed
- Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians — PubMed
- Effect of Oral Dexamethasone Without Immediate Antibiotics vs Placebo on Acute Sore Throat in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial — PubMed
- Systemic corticosteroids for acute sinusitis — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Medrol Dose Pack
- A pre-packaged set of methylprednisolone tablets that gradually decreases in dose over several days of treatment.
- Methylprednisolone
- A corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system.
- Inflammation
- Swelling, redness, and irritation that occurs in the body as a response to injury or illness.
- Contact dermatitis
- A skin reaction that occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritating or allergenic substance.
- Pharmacokinetic
- Relating to how a drug moves through the body, including how it is absorbed, distributed, and broken down.
- Absorption
- The process by which a drug passes through the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream.
- Metabolism
- The chemical process by which the body breaks down a drug into substances it can eliminate.
- Hyperglycemia
- An abnormally high level of glucose or sugar in the blood.
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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