From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
For visual loss symptoms suspected to be related to multiple sclerosis (MS) prior to MRI confirmation, immediate treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is recommended, as supported by the most recent study 1. The standard regimen is intravenous methylprednisolone 1000mg daily for 3-5 days, often followed by an oral prednisone taper starting at 60mg and decreasing by 10mg every 3 days. This helps reduce inflammation and may speed recovery of vision. While waiting for treatment, patients should:
- Protect their affected eye
- Avoid straining vision
- Ensure adequate rest It's crucial to seek emergency care immediately as prompt treatment improves outcomes. These medications work by suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation in the optic nerve, which is often affected in MS-related visual loss (optic neuritis). Patients should be aware of potential side effects including:
- Insomnia
- Increased appetite
- Mood changes
- Elevated blood sugar Stomach protection with a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole 20mg daily may be prescribed alongside steroids. Even before MRI confirmation, treating presumed MS-related visual symptoms quickly is essential to prevent permanent vision damage, as suggested by the study on the effect of methylprednisolone on changes on MRI in multiple sclerosis 2. The most recent study on disorders of vision in multiple sclerosis 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical manifestations and investigations for MS and other similar neurological inflammatory disorders affecting vision. Therefore, high-dose corticosteroids should be initiated promptly in patients with suspected MS-related visual loss, prior to MRI confirmation, to improve outcomes and prevent permanent vision damage.