This article describes possible interactions with methylprednisolone oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to affect the body in a different way than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Methylprednisolone comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s also available as a suspension (type of liquid mixture) for injection. Interactions are not expected to differ between these forms.
Other drugs and methylprednisolone
The drugs in the list below may interact with methylprednisolone oral tablet. This article does not include all drugs that may interact with methylprednisolone.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with methylprednisolone oral tablet include:
- certain antibiotic drugs
- drug examples: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of methylprednisolone
- certain antiepileptic drugs
- drug examples: phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
- what might happen: can make methylprednisolone less effective
- certain antifungal drugs
- drug examples: itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of methylprednisolone
- the anticancer drugs ceritinib (Zykadia) and idelalisib (Zydelig)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of methylprednisolone
- certain drugs used to treat HIV
- aspirin
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of methylprednisolone, specifically digestive system ulcers and stomach bleeding; can make aspirin less effective
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of methylprednisolone or cyclosporine. Seizures (changes in the electrical activity of your brain) have been reported with this drug combination. If you take cyclosporine and methylprednisolone, your doctor may monitor your cyclosporine levels with a blood test.
- desmopressin (DDAVP)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of desmopressin, specifically low blood sodium
- warfarin (Jantoven)
- what might happen: can increase the blood-thinning effect of warfarin and increase the time it takes for your blood to clot. If you take warfarin and methylprednisolone, you should have routine testing performed to monitor the clotting time of your blood.
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Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with methylprednisolone oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe methylprednisolone. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for methylprednisolone oral tablet:
- Systemic (whole body) fungal infection. If you have a systemic fungal infection, using methylprednisolone oral tablet can worsen the infection.
- Past allergic reaction to methylprednisolone. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone oral tablet, taking it again can cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor if any of the methylprednisolone warnings listed above relate to you. They can recommend whether you should take methylprednisolone.
Alcohol and methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, if you have side effects from methylprednisolone, drinking alcohol could worsen them. Drinking alcohol might also increase your risk of side effects from methylprednisolone. For example, taking methylprednisolone oral tablet and drinking alcohol can cause or worsen the following side effects:
- weakened immune system
- headache
- mood swings
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet. You can also ask your doctor any additional questions you may have about methylprednisolone interactions with alcohol.
Other interactions and methylprednisolone
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below, you can learn whether methylprednisolone oral tablet has these interactions.
The following information does not include all other possible interactions with methylprednisolone.
Methylprednisolone and supplements
Before taking methylprednisolone oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Methylprednisolone interactions with herbs
Methylprednisolone oral tablet may interact with echinacea. Some people use this herb to support their immune system.
Taking methylprednisolone and echinacea may make methylprednisolone less effective.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking or continuing to take echinacea while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Methylprednisolone interactions with vitamins
Methylprednisolone oral tablet is not known to interact with any vitamins. But this does not mean interactions with vitamins cannot happen or will not be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking or continuing to take vitamins while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Methylprednisolone and food
Methylprednisolone may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Taking methylprednisolone and consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice may enhance the effect and risk of side effects of methylprednisolone.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Methylprednisolone and vaccines
Methylprednisolone oral tablet may interact with live vaccines. Examples of live vaccines include the cholera, chickenpox, and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
A live vaccine contains a weakened but live version of the bacteria or viruses that the vaccine aims to protect against. Taking methylprednisolone weakens your immune system. Receiving a live vaccine while taking methylprednisolone increases your risk of becoming sick after receiving the vaccine.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Methylprednisolone and lab tests
Methylprednisolone oral tablet is not known to interact with lab tests. But this does not mean interactions with lab tests cannot happen or will not be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Methylprednisolone and cannabis or CBD
Methylprednisolone oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this does not mean interactions cannot happen or will not be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with methylprednisolone.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and methylprednisolone
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with methylprednisolone oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor about your health history. They will determine whether methylprednisolone is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with methylprednisolone oral tablet:
- adrenal insufficiency
- blood cell problems, such as low white blood cell level
- diverticulitis
- glaucoma
- high blood pressure
- kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
- liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease
- thyroid disease
- mental health conditions, such as depression
- myasthenia gravis
- eye herpes
- osteoporosis
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to methylprednisolone
Preventing methylprednisolone interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with methylprednisolone oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if your doctor prescribes a new drug while you are taking methylprednisolone oral tablet.
Taking methylprednisolone exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about methylprednisolone and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Is there any additional information I should know about what to avoid while taking methylprednisolone?
- Based on my health conditions, what foods (if any) should I avoid while taking methylprednisolone?
- Do other corticosteroids have similar interactions as methylprednisolone?
- If I have a health condition that interacts with methylprednisolone, will I be monitored more closely for side effects?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.