METHYLPREDNISOLONE CORTICO 4 mg. 20 tablets

WHAT methylprednisolone cortico AND WHAT IT IS USED
The active substance contained in this product is a corticosteroid Methylprednisolone. Represent analogue emitted by the adrenal cortex hormones - glucocorticoids. It possesses pronounced anti-inflammatory and antiallergic action, as a result of which favorably influence a number of diseases and conditions resulting from inflammation and allergy.
Methylprednisolone hanger is used to treat symptoms in rheumatic diseases (e. Bechterew's disease, rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children, arthritis due to psoriasis, etc. psoriartrichen arthritis, acute inflammation of the joints in gout, etc.), Diseases connective tissue (lupus, etc. erythematosus, dermatomyositis), allergic diseases (seasonal and allergic rhinitis, allergies associated with medications, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis), skin (eg. severe psoriasis, pemphigus, etc.). and ocular (allergic conjunctivitis, inflammation of the optic nerve, etc.). disease, certain blood diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (inflammation of the colon associated with ulceration and flowing with severe and persistent diarrhea and bloody spasms). It is used in some cancer after transplantation (graft) to bodies and others.
It is also used in patients who for various reasons adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of hormones (glucocorticoids), and therefore necessary that such e can be delivered by administration of analogues.

2. BEFORE YOU USE corticosteroid methylprednisolone
Do not use Methylprednisolone cortico
if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to methylprednisolone or any of the other ingredients of the product;
severe fungal infections affecting the whole body.
Take special care with Methylprednisolone dirk
Adverse effects associated with the use of methylprednisolone can be avoided or reduced by taking the lowest dose that has a healing effect for the shortest possible period of time. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose to treat your disease and how long you should take the drug. Strictly follow its instructions do not change the prescribed dose without explicitly be initiated by a physician.

It is particularly important to know that:
the intake of this medicine should not be stopped abruptly as this can lead to deterioration and recurrence of the disease;
normal release of hormones from the adrenal gland is suppressed in a longer term treatment. To allow the adrenal glands to restore its function and provide the usual needs of the body of these hormones, the daily dose should be reduced gradually. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to do this and will comply with the duration of treatment and the amount of dose received.
Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection and, in the course of treatment with them can develop new ones caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses. Upon treatment with corticosteroids is increased susceptibility to infections.
Varicella (chickenpox) can occur very severe and lead to serious complications in people with suppressed immunity, incl. taking such a long time corticosteroids (these products suppress immunity). It is therefore necessary to avoid contact with chicken pox or shingles. We need to keep in mind that if you fall ill from chickenpox when taking this product, treatment with it should not be terminated and even in some cases you may need a dose increase. For the same reason and to avoid contact with sick from measles (measles).
Should be avoided use of vaccines. If it is imperative that a consultation with relevant specialist.
If treatment with corticosteroids is indicated in patients with a hidden occurring undetected tuberculosis or those with a positive tuberculin test (Mantoux etc.) is required strict medical supervision to avoid reactivation of the disease.
The administration of methylprednisolone may lead to deterioration of diseases caused by parasites, eg. etc in enterobiosis.

Particular care with this product have if you suffer or have suffered in the past from any of the following diseases:
Osteoporosis (reduced bone density and increased susceptibility to fractures);
hypertension, heart failure (heart disease, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles), recent myocardial infarction;
diabetes;
glaucoma;
liver diseases (incl. cirrhosis), kidney, stomach and intestine (especially gastric ulcer);
epilepsy;
abscess or other purulent infections;
myasthenia gravis;
ocular herpes;
underactive thyroid gland;
Tell your doctor before starting treatment if you have had:
tuberculosis;
mental illness;
frequent inflammation of the veins.
You need to know, and your loved ones to be informed that treatment with corticosteroids may develop psychiatric disorders. Most often this occurs a few days to a few weeks after starting treatment. Most of them disappear completely or after dose reduction or upon discontinuation of treatment. This does not remove the need to use a specific treatment. If a feeling of depression, anxiety, insomnia, lack of motivation, thoughts of harming needed immediately to share this with your loved ones and seek consultation with a medical specialist.
If you are taking medication digoxin requires increased monitoring and regular medical supervision as corticosteroids, incl. methylprednisolone lead to distortions in water-salt exchange and loss of potassium.
Steroids can lead to growth failure in children and adolescents, so treatment should be limited to the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible period.
In older patients often can be observed some side effects (osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, susceptibility to infections) and they have a more serious course, which is why they need intense supervision by a doctor.

Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Convulsions have been reported with concomitant administration of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine.
Rifampicin and rifabutin (antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis), carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin (medicines for epilepsy) increase the breakdown of corticosteroids and their effect can be reduced.
Cimetidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole can reduce the degradation of corticosteroids in the liver and thus lead to a rise in their concentrations in the blood.

Corticosteroids can reduce the effects of:
Medicines for the treatment of diabetes, including. insulin;
Agents for the treatment of high blood pressure;
diuretics (drugs to treat edema, leading to increased urine output).
Corticosteroids may enhance the effects of:
coumarin anticoagulants (drugs to reduce blood clotting), which requires monitoring of prothrombin time and some other laboratory parameters;
drugs containing salicylates (in some cases could lead to poisoning).
Taking Methylprednisolone hanger with food and drink
During the treatment with this product should not be consumed grapefruit (juice and fruit), since degradation of the product by the liver increases, and this can lead to a reduction of the concentrations in the blood.

Pregnancy and lactation
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

pregnancy
Methylprednisolone passes through the placenta. It is known that in animals can cause certain birth defects - not suspending palate, developmental delays, adverse effect on brain development and growth.
There is not enough evidence that corticosteroids lead to similar effects in humans, but during pregnancy it can be applied only after assessment by a physician that the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus and newborn.

breastfeeding
Corticosteroids are excreted in small amounts in breast milk. Breastfeeding they should apply only after an assessment by a doctor that the benefit outweighs the risk to the infant.

Driving and using machines
No evidence of adverse effects on the ability to drive and use machines.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Methylprednisolone dirk
The composition of the product as an excipient includes lactose. This makes it unsuitable for people with congenital intolerance to some sugars (lactase deficiency, galactosemia or glucose / galactose malabsorption syndrome). If your doctor tells you that you have such intolerance should not take this product.

3. HOW TO USE corticosteroid methylprednisolone
Always Methylprednisolone dirk exactly as you told your doctor. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Adults
The daily dose, route and frequency of administration, duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor according to the type of disease, its severity and course.
The daily dosage can be administered as a single dose, in multiple doses each day or as a single but double dose during the day, the drug is taken in the morning at 8:00 am.
Adverse effects can be reduced by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period.
In most cases, treatment is started with a higher dose, which after some time can be reduced or increased depending on the performance therapeutic effect. After establishing the lowest dose treatment continues operating with it for a different period depending on the type of disease.
As soon as possible after achieving the desired therapeutic effect, the daily dose should be gradually reduced to a complete cessation of therapy in acute occurring diseases (eg. Seasonal asthma, acute ocular inflammation, etc.). Or until the lowest effective maintenance dose in cases of chronic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, dermatitis).
In chronic diseases / conditions (especially rheumatoid arthritis), it is important to keep in mind that a dose reduction is performed in an appropriate manner according to the clinical condition, usually about 2 mg every 7-10 days. You need to know that the discontinuation of this medication in any case should not be done abruptly.

children
The dosage in children is determined at the discretion of the physician. If it is possible, the daily dose should be administered as a single dose every other day, and the treatment is done by applying the lowest dose for the shortest period of time.

Elderly
The daily dose, route and duration of administration should be consistent with that in adults side effects are more common and sometimes serious.

If you use more than the amount of Methylprednisolone dirk
In acute overdosage with methylprednisolone not observed any specific events. Chronic overdose occur etc. Kashingoidni symptoms - accumulation of fat in the face, abdomen and hips, stretch marks, redness of the cheeks and others. If you take a higher dose of the designated contact for advice your doctor.

If you forget to apply the necessary dose Methylprednisolone dirk
If you forget to take a dose, do so as soon as possible after you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten. Apply the next dose at the usual time.

If you stop taking Methylprednisolone dirk
Do not stop administering the product, if you feel better until your doctor tells you that. Remember that discontinuation of treatment always by gradually reducing the daily dose. If you suddenly stop taking the product may occur etc. Withdrawal symptoms (see. Undesirable effects).

If you have any other questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Methylprednisolone hanger can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects that may occur while taking the product are:
infections:
Increased susceptibility and severity of the course of infection, masking their clinical manifestations, overlapping of additional infections, inhibition of the reaction in skin test, activation of the "sleeping" TB.

Immune system disorders:
Allergic reactions, incl. and severe allergic shock.

Disorders of the endocrine glands:
Suppression of the adrenal glands, growth retardation in infants, children and adolescents, rounding of the face and persistent redness in the cheeks (Kashingoidno person), excessive hair growth, weight gain.

Disorders of metabolism:
Retention of sodium and water, a change in the acidity of body fluids, potassium loss, increasing the need for administration of drugs to treat diabetes.

Psychiatric disorders:
Irritability, euphoria, depression and anxiety, altered mood, thoughts of self-harm, mania, delusion, hallucinations, changes in behavior, agitation, anxiety.

Nervous system disorders:
Confusion and memory loss, sleep disturbances, seizures, dizziness, headache, dizziness, increased intracranial pressure, accompanied by headache, vomiting.

Eye disorders:
Elevations of intraocular pressure, glaucoma, possible damage to the optic nerve, cataract, thinning and rupture of the cornea and sclera, exacerbation of ophthalmic viral or fungal infections, permanent protrusion of the eyeball.

Cardiovascular disorders:
Congestive heart failure (heart disease, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, etc.), An increase or decrease in blood pressure.

Gastrointestinal disorders:
Heartburn and burning, nausea, bloating, ulceration and bleeding from the stomach, intestine or esophagus fungal infection of the esophagus, acute inflammation of the pancreas.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Disrupted, delayed wound healing, thinning of the skin, prone to injury, the formation of stretch marks, extension of skin blood vessels, acne, pinpoint hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes.
There have been reports of the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (malignant skin disease in AIDS patients) in patients receiving corticosteroids.

Reproductive system and breast disorders:
Menstrual irregularities and a total lack of a monthly cycle.

Musculo-skeletal system:
Thinning, thinning bones and a tendency to spontaneous fractures
(Osteoporosis) of the vertebrae and long bones, rupture of tendons, muscle weakness, muscle damage.

Withdrawal symptoms:
Rapid dose reduction in long-term treatment can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency, significant reduction in blood pressure and death.
In "withdrawal syndrome" can also be observed fever, aching muscles and joints, fever, conjunctivitis, painful itchy skin nodules and weight loss.

General disorders:
Rare - malaise, fatigue.

investigations:
Elevation of liver enzymes AST, ALT, ALP, decrease in blood potassium levels and increase those of calcium.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or get any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

5. HOW TO STORE corticosteroid methylprednisolone
At temperatures below 25 ° C
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use Methylprednisolone hanger after the expiry date stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not use Methylprednisolone hanger if you notice changes in the appearance of the tablet.