Medrol Dose Pack 4mg Dosing Instructions
The standard Medrol dose pack provides a total of 84 mg methylprednisolone over 6 days in a tapering schedule, with specific daily dosing instructions that should be followed exactly as prescribed. 1
Standard Dosing Schedule
- Day 1: Take 8 mg (two 4 mg tablets) at breakfast, 4 mg (one tablet) at lunch, 4 mg (one tablet) at dinner, and 8 mg (two tablets) at bedtime (total: 24 mg) 1, 2
- Day 2: Take 8 mg (two tablets) at breakfast, 4 mg (one tablet) at lunch, 4 mg (one tablet) at dinner, and 8 mg (two tablets) at bedtime (total: 24 mg) 1
- Day 3: Take 4 mg (one tablet) at breakfast, 4 mg (one tablet) at lunch, 4 mg (one tablet) at dinner, and 4 mg (one tablet) at bedtime (total: 16 mg) 1
- Day 4: Take 4 mg (one tablet) at breakfast, 4 mg (one tablet) at lunch, 4 mg (one tablet) at dinner, and 0 mg at bedtime (total: 12 mg) 1
- Day 5: Take 4 mg (one tablet) at breakfast, 0 mg at lunch, 0 mg at dinner, and 4 mg (one tablet) at bedtime (total: 8 mg) 1
- Day 6: Take 0 mg at breakfast, 0 mg at lunch, 0 mg at dinner, and 0 mg at bedtime (total: 0 mg) 2
Administration Guidelines
- Take methylprednisolone tablets with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal irritation 2
- Complete the entire course as prescribed, even if symptoms improve before finishing 2
- Do not stop taking the medication abruptly as this may cause withdrawal symptoms 2
Monitoring and Side Effects
- Common side effects include increased blood sugar, increased appetite, mood changes, insomnia, and fluid retention 1
- Monitor for signs of infection, as corticosteroids may mask symptoms 2
- Be aware of potential hyperglycemia, especially in patients with diabetes 1
Important Considerations
- The FDA recommends that dosage requirements are variable and must be individualized based on the disease being treated and patient response 2
- For short-term therapy like the Medrol dose pack, the most common adverse effects include hyperglycemia and weight gain 1
- While the standard dose pack provides a total of 84 mg methylprednisolone over 6 days (equivalent to approximately 105 mg of prednisone), this may be insufficient for certain inflammatory conditions that require higher doses 1
Clinical Cautions
- Do not take additional corticosteroids without consulting your healthcare provider 2
- Inform all healthcare providers that you are taking or have recently taken a corticosteroid 2
- The Medrol dose pack is intended for short-term use only; long-term corticosteroid use requires different dosing strategies 2