What Is The Best Way To Take A Medrol Dose Pack?

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 derivation 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 you 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.