Available Dosages of Medcort (Methylprednisolone)
Medcort (methylprednisolone) is available as 4 mg oral tablets for oral administration. 1
Oral Formulation Specifications
- Single available strength: 4 mg tablets 1
- Inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate 1
- Physical characteristics: white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder 1
Dosing Range in Clinical Practice
While only the 4 mg tablet strength exists, the FDA-approved dosing range varies widely based on clinical indication:
- Initial dosing range: 4 mg to 48 mg per day depending on disease severity 1
- Multiple sclerosis acute exacerbations: 200 mg daily for 1 week (equivalent to 160 mg methylprednisolone), followed by 80 mg every other day for 1 month 1
- Maintenance dosing: Should be decreased in small decrements to the lowest effective dose 1
Clinical Context from Guidelines
The 4 mg tablet formulation allows flexible dosing across multiple therapeutic scenarios:
- Severe inflammatory conditions: Guidelines recommend 40-80 mg/day for conditions like vasculitis, which would require 10-20 tablets daily 2
- Seasonal rhinitis: Studies have evaluated 6 mg, 12 mg, and 24 mg doses (1.5 to 6 tablets) with dose-dependent symptom improvement 3
- Alternate-day therapy: Twice the usual daily dose administered every other morning to minimize adverse effects 1
Important Prescribing Considerations
- Individualized dosing required: The FDA label explicitly states "dosage requirements are variable and must be individualized" based on disease and patient response 1
- Gradual withdrawal: After long-term therapy, the drug should be withdrawn gradually rather than abruptly 1
- Monitoring needs: Constant monitoring is necessary for dosage adjustments based on clinical status changes 1