depo medrol

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Corticosteroid therapy (usually long-term) may produce side effects which

include moon face, fluid retention, excessive appetite and weight gain, abnormal

fat deposits, mental symptoms, acne, increased sweating, pigmentation, dry

scaly skin, thinning scalp hair, circulation problems, decreased resistance to

infection, delayed wound healing, menstrual disorders, nerve pain, peptic

ulcer, increased blood glucose levels, low potassium levels, reduced reaction

to stress, high blood pressure, pancreatitis and increased pressure in the

eye. In children, slowing of growth may occur. Increased pressure in the head

may occur and possibly account for headache, insomnia and fatigue. Cataracts

may result from prolonged usage.

The following additional adverse reactions are related to corticosteroid

therapy given by injection: allergic reactions, hyperpigmentation or

hypopigmentation, thinning of skin around injection site, sores. Injection site

infections can occur following nonsterile technique.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

People taking corticosteroid therapy who are subjected to any unusual stress,

should increase the dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during,

and after the stressful situation as prescribed by their doctor.

Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may

appear during their use.

Corticosteroids may worsen internal fungal infections and therefore should

not be used in the presence of such infections.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce cataracts, glaucoma with

possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of

secondary

eye infections due to fungi or viruses.

Corticosteroids should be used cautiously in patients with herpes simplex of

the eye for fear of corneal perforation.

Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause increases in

blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of

potassium. This is less likely to happen with this drug except in large doses.

Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary (ask

your

doctor). All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion.

Pregnancy: Since adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with

corticosteroids, use of these drugs in pregnancy or in women of childbearing

potential requires that the anticipated benefits be weighed against possible

hazards to mother and unborn child.

Breastfeeding: Corticosteroids appear in breast milk and could slow growth,

interfere with the baby's own corticosteroid production, or cause other

unwanted effects in the breast-feeding infant. Mothers taking corticosteroids

should be advised not to nurse.

Inform subsequent doctors of the prior use of corticosteroids.

Cortisone causes blood glucose to increase, therefore, high blood sugar may

occur, glucose tolerance may be altered, and diabetes mellitus may be made

worse. Close monitoring of blood glucose is recommended with any abnormalities

reported to the doctor.

Following prolonged therapy, withdrawal of corticosteroids may result in

symptoms of the corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome including fever, muscle and

joint pain, and malaise.

Symptoms ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes,

and severe depression to frank psychotic episodes may occur with the use of

cortisone.

Growth and development of infants and children on prolonged corticosteroid

therapy should be carefully followed.

Steroids may increase or decrease motility and number of spermatozoa in some

patients.

Long term use of corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis (brittle

bones).

What other drugs could interact with this medication?This drug may interact

with a number of different drugs. Be sure to tell any health professional

involved in your care of all the drugs you are taking, including those that can

be bought without a prescription.

i had an 80 mg shot in may. later that month i ended up in the hospital with

elevated blood pressure and chest pains. i ran a bunch of very expensive

tests and found that it was just stress related.

i had another 80 mg injection oct 19. again elevated glaucoma pressure,

blood pressure, dizzy headaches,chest pains. feel like i am going to jump out

of

my skin, my period started 5 days early. has lasted twice as long and now

appears to have started yet again!!!

geez they ask me if i have any stress. well lets see, my son moved back home

and i have been feeding him, new medicare drug coverage has me scared. my

car caught on fire in august and ended up costing 2500!! my tub faucet broke

$65 and the final chapter was the $650 water heater!! i just got my cell phone

bill and it almost $200

with all the emergencies i have had.

i put in calls to both my primary care and my gyne yesterday. i haven't

heard from either. i feel like they think i am nuts. (again) i really thought i

was past all of this. i talked to my nurse at the rheumi, but she seemed to

think it would've been out of my system for now.

when i went to the dr last Friday i was 164/94. the primary dr then told me

it was from the shot. but i just told him i had a steroid injection. not how

much or when. after i read this article i am convinced the shot caused this.

now if i can only get the rest of the medical team to get on my side and

hopefully at least stop my period ( gosh, please!!) help!!!!

kathy in il