Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Recall

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Questions & Answers

Side Effects & Adverse Reactions

In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to any unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated.

Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use.  There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used.

A study has failed to establish the efficacy of methylprednisolone in the treatment of sepsis syndrome and septic shock.  The study also suggests that treatment of these conditions with methylprednisolone may increase the risk of mortality in certain patients (i.e., patients with elevated serum creatinine levels or patients who develop secondary infections after methylprednisolone).

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses.

Average and large doses of cortisone or hydrocortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.  These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses.  Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary.  All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion.

While on corticosteroid therapy patients should not be vaccinated against smallpox.  Other immunization procedures should not be undertaken in patients who are on corticosteroids, especially on high dose, because of possible hazards of neurological complications and a lack of antibody response.

The use of methylprednisolone in active tuberculosis should be restricted to those cases of fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis in which the corticosteroid is used for the management of the disease in conjunction with appropriate antituberculous regimen.

If corticosteroids are indicated in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, close observation is necessary as reactivation of the disease may occur.  During prolonged corticosteroid therapy, these patients should receive chemoprophylaxis.

Because rare instances of anaphylactic (e.g., bronchospasm) reactions have occurred in patients receiving parenteral corticosteroid therapy, appropriate precautionary measures should be taken prior to administration, especially when the patient has a history of allergy to any drug.

There are reports of cardiac arrhythmias and/or circulatory collapse and/or cardiac arrest following the rapid administration of large IV doses of methylprednisolone (greater than 0.5 gram administered over a period of less than 10 minutes).  Bradycardia has been reported during or after the administration of large doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and may be unrelated to the speed or duration of infusion.

Persons who are on drugs which suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals.  Chicken pox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in nonimmune children or adults on corticosteroids.  In such children or adults who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure.  How the dose, route and duration of corticosteroid administration affects the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known.  The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known.  If exposed to chicken pox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated.  If exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated.  (See the respective package inserts for complete VZIG and IG prescribing information.)  If chicken pox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.

Usage in Pregnancy

Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers, or women of child-bearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus.  Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

Usage in Pregnancy

Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy, nursing mothers, or women of child-bearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus.  Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

Legal Issues

There is currently no legal information available for this drug.

FDA Safety Alerts

There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.

Manufacturer Warnings

There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.

FDA Labeling Changes

There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.

Uses

When oral therapy is not feasible, and the strength, dosage form and route of administration of the drug reasonably lend the preparation to the treatment of the condition, Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection, USP is indicated for intravenous or intramuscular use in the following conditions:

1.  Endocrine Disorders

     Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy,

           mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance)

     Acute adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; mineralocorticoid supplementation may be necessary, particularly when synthetic analogs are used)

     Preoperatively and in the event of serious trauma or illness, in patients with known adrenal insufficiency or when adrenocortical reserve is doubtful

     Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy if adrenocortical insufficiency exists or is suspected

     Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

     Hypercalcemia associated with cancer

     Nonsuppurative thyroiditis

2.  Rheumatic Disorders

     As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in:

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Acute gouty arthritis

Synovitis of osteoarthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require   low-dose maintenance therapy)

Ankylosing spondylitis

Epicondylitis

Acute and subacute bursitis

Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis

 

3.  Collagen Diseases

     During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:

     Systemic lupus erythematosus

     Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)

     Acute rheumatic carditis

4.  Dermatologic Diseases

Pemphigus

Severe seborrheic dermatitis

Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Severe psoriasis

Exfoliative dermatitis

Mycosis fungoides

Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis


5.  Allergic States

     Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in:

Bronchial asthma

Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis

Contact dermatitis          

Drug hypersensitivity reactions

Atopic dermatitis

Urticarial transfusion reactions

Serum sickness

Acute noninfectious laryngeal edema (epinephrine is the drug of first choice)         

  6. Ophthalmic Diseases

    Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye, such as:

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Sympathetic ophthalmia

Iritis, iridocyclitis

Anterior segment inflammation

Chorioretinitis

Allergic conjunctivitis

Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis            

Allergic corneal marginal ulcers         

Optic neuritis

Keratitis

7. Gastrointestinal Diseases

    To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in:

    Ulcerative colitis (systemic therapy)

    Regional enteritis (systemic therapy)

8. Respiratory Diseases

Symptomatic sarcoidosis

Loeffler’s syndrome not manageable by other means

Berylliosis

Aspiration pneumonitis

Fulminating or disseminated pulkmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy


9.  Hematologic Disorders

     Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia

     Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults (IV only; IM administration is contraindicated)

     Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults

     Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia)

     Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia

10. Neoplastic Diseases

      For palliative management of:

      Leukemias and lymphomas in adults

      Acute leukemia of childhood

11. Edematous States

      To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus

12. Nervous System

      Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis

13. Miscellaneous

      Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy

      Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

History

There is currently no drug history available for this drug.

Other Information

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection, USP sterile powder contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate as the active ingredient.  Methylprednisolone sodium succinate, USP, occurs as a white, or nearly white, odorless hygroscopic, amorphous solid.  It is very soluble in water and in alcohol; it is insoluble in chloroform and is very slightly soluble in acetone.

The chemical name for methylprednisolone sodium succinate is pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, 21-(3-carboxy-1-oxopropoxy)-11, 17-dihydroxy-6-methylmonosodium salt, (6α, 11β). 

The structural formula is:

structure

Methylprednisolone sodium succinate is so extremely soluble in water that it may be administered in a small volume of diluent and is especially well suited for intravenous use in situations in which high blood levels of methylprednisolone are required rapidly.

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection, USP is available in two strengths for intravenous or intramuscular administration.

40 mg (Single Dose Vial)  Each mL (when mixed as directed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 40 mg methylprednisolone; also, 1.6 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous; 17.46 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried; 25 mg lactose hydrous; and benzyl alcohol.

125 mg (Single Dose Vial)  Each 2 mL (when mixed as directed) contains methylprednisolone sodium succinate equivalent to 125 mg methylprednisolone; also, 1.6 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous;17.4 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried; and benzyl alcohol.

When necessary, the pH of each formula was adjusted with sodium hydroxide so that the pH of the reconstituted solution is within the USP specified range of 7 to 8 and the tonicities are, for the 40 mg per mL solution, 0.50 osmolar; for the 125 mg per 2 mL, 0.40 osmolar.  (Isotonic saline = 0.28 osmolar).

IMPORTANT - Use only Bacteriostatic Water For Injection with Benzyl Alcohol when reconstituting Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection, USP.

Use within 48 hours after mixing.

Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Manufacturers


  • App Pharmaceuticals, Llc
    Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [App Pharmaceuticals, Llc]
  • Fresenius Kabi Usa, Llc
    Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [Fresenius Kabi Usa, Llc]
  • Cardinal Health
    Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [Cardinal Health]

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