Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation or immune reactions across a variety of organ systems, endocrine conditions, and neoplastic diseases. Methylprednisolone is a prednisolone derivative glucocorticoid with higher potency than prednisone.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.
Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.
Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive. High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.
- Primary indication
- Oral and intramuscular methylprednisolone are indicated for a number of endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmic, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, edematous, gastrointestinal, nervous system, and other disorders.Curator reviewed · 102 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C22H30O5 · 374.4706 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2003 · United States, 1957
- Code names
- J3.872E · NSC-19987
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Methylprednisolone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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