Melpred 8 mg – Price, Uses, and Benefits for Bangladeshi Patients

Category	Details
Generic	Methylprednisolone
Company	Pharmasia limited
Also available as	Melpred 2 mg tablet Melpred 4 mg tablet Melpred 16 mg tablet

Indications

Potent anti-inflammatory agent
Profoundly inhibits the immune system
Influences kidney, fluid & electrolyte balance, lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism
Affects skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system, immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system
High absolute bioavailability (82% to 89%) following oral administration
Rapidly absorbed
Widely distributed into the tissues
Crosses the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier
Secreted in breast milk
Metabolized in the liver to inactive metabolites
Haemodializable

Usual range is 2-48 mg daily in divided doses
Initial dosage may vary from 4-48 mg per day depending on the specific disease entity
Maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements
Daily doses of 160 mg for a week followed by 64 mg every other day for 1 month for the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis
Guidelines for treating and controlling severe allergy and dermatitis with 4 mg tablets

Inhibition or reduction of metabolism by Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Rifampin, and Ketoconazole
Increase in the effect by estrogens, including birth control pills
Reduction of metabolism of Cyclosporin
Effect on blood thinners such as Warfarin

Well-tolerated in short courses with few, mild side effects
Potential serious side effects with long term, high doses
Range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible bodily damage
Fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium loss, headache, muscle weakness, hair growth on the face, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, growth retardation in children, convulsions, psychic disturbances including depression and euphoria
Depression of the body's adrenal glands with prolonged use

Adrenocortical insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy
Enhanced effect on patients with hypothyroidism and cirrhosis
Cautious use in patients with ocular herpes simplex
Cautious use in conjunction with Aspirin in hypoprothrombinemia
Careful observation of growth and development in infants and children on prolonged corticosteroid therapy