What Is The Best Way To Take A Medrol Dose Pack?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the best, and recommended way, to take a Medrol (methylprednisolone) dose pack.
Hello, I recently received a prescription for Medrol (methylprednisolone 4 mg tablets). Quantity and tablet strength 21 tablets (4 mg). Unfortunately I did not receive instructions on how to take them. Please advise. Thank you!
Apr 29, 2022- Take the tablets according to the declining schedule over 6 days, starting with 6 tablets on day 1 and decreasing by one tablet each day until day 6 when you take just 1 tablet.
- If you start the Medrol Dosepak late in the day, you can take all of day 1's tablets at once with food to reduce nausea, then follow the standard schedule beginning with day 2.
- Always follow any different directions your doctor specifically prescribed, and call your doctor or pharmacy if you're unsure how to take the medication.
It is not uncommon for patients to receive a prescription for a Medrol Dosepak (methylprednisolone) that simply says "Take as directed". If your doctor or pharmacist did not tell you the recommended way to take this medication, below are the standard directions for the Medrol Dosepak.
The Medrol Dosepak has a total of 21 tablets, to be taken over a 6 day period. The standard directions are as follows
Standard Medrol Dose Pack Dosing Instructions
Day 1
- Take 2 tablets before breakfast, 1 tablet after lunch and supper, and 2 tablets at bedtime.
- Total of 6 tablets
Day 2
- Take 1 tablet before breakfast, 1 tablet after lunch and supper, and 2 tablets at bedtime
- Total of 5 tablets
Day 3
- Take 1 tablet before breakfast, after lunch, after supper and at bedtime
- Total of 4 tablets
Day 4
- Take 1 tablet before breakfast, after lunch, and at bedtime
- Total of 3 tablets
Day 5
- Take 1 tablet before breakfast and at bedtime
- Total of 2 tablets
Day 6
- Take 1 tablet before breakfast
- Total of 1 tablet
What If You Get A Late Start Day One?
The most common deviation to the above directions is on day one. There may be a situation where you receive your Medrol Dosepak prescription later in the day.
You ideally want to start taking your prescription as soon as possible, and therefore, you may find yourself needing to start dosing in the afternoon or evening.
This makes it difficult to divide the first days' tablets as recommended on the package.
In cases like this, you can take all of the day 1 tablets at once, and then begin dividing the doses starting with day 2. If you take all the tablets at one time on day one, make sure you take the dose with food to minimize nausea.
Also be aware that taking all the tablets at once on day one can increase the chances of insomnia (trouble sleeping).
If your doctor prescribed you a different set of directions than those listed above, you should follow the directions given by your doctor as they often alter these standard directions.
If you are unsure how to take the medication, you should call your doctor or pharmacy for clarification before starting the medication.
References & sources
- Methylprednisolone Monograph — National Library of Medicine
- Medrol Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Methylprednisolone
- A corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system.
- Medrol Dosepak
- A pre-packaged set of methylprednisolone tablets with doses that gradually decrease over 6 days.
- Prescription
- A doctor's written order for a specific medication to be dispensed by a pharmacist.
- Tablets
- Solid forms of medication that are swallowed whole.
- Insomnia
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Nausea
- A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may lead to vomiting.
- Corticosteroid
- A type of anti-inflammatory medication that mimics hormones naturally produced by the body.
- Dosing
- The process of determining the correct amount and timing of medication to take.
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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