prednisone vs methylprednisolone | Arthritis Information

Hi. Can anyone tell me the difference between these two? I am a lot of pain so doc ordered me the methyl one. I have taken pred with a lot of success but some weight gain, i am wondering if this is why she switched. I am worried because the dosage is lower and less of it the whole time. I would take 25 mgs of pred straight for a week and taper, but this starts at 24, then decreases by 4 every day for 5 days.

It has only been a day but i have no relief as of yet. Any thougths?

NYALI38752.2998611111Hi NYALI,

Pharmacologically speaking, there isn't a lot of difference between
methylprednisolone and prednisolone. Methylprednisolone is slightly more
potent in glucocorticoid activity than prednisolone, so it's thought to be
stronger than prednisolone. Maybe that's why you have a lower dose than
with the pred, because it's more potent. Hope you're feeling better soon!

thanks, albear.

i am worried because this new stuff isn't working as well as prednisone, and it says it is fast acting. maybe i have built up a tolerance to steroids? is this possible? i haven't been on anything since early december and before that i had been on prednisone for 6 weeks and prior to that prednisone for 2 weeks back in august. the first time, in august, it didn't help but the second two times it did.

i guess it can take a few days, right?

i'm sorry your new meds are not working. i've never taken methylprednisolone. what a word!! i just took pred. i'm so glad i do not take it anymore! it gives really relief but, the side effects. the jitters,weight gain,mood swings, it robbs your calcium core baking you have soft bones and my auntie got a tumor on her hip from it. she took like 60mg 4 times a day. i remember how puff and jettier she was , i still fell sorry for her when i think about it. i hope it stars working or your doc can give you something else. take it easy.

Hey

This might sound stupid but I live in the UK and we only get methylprednisolone as an I.V. What is it?

hi there,

I have taken both and am still on regular prednisone. My cat was also on the methyl for injections for his asthma and is now on oral pred. I can say... I hated the methylpred! It made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack... way too irritable too. I noticed the difference in my cat too when he switched... it made him nuttier too. I think its stronger than pred... but that is just me and my cat!

I wish I could just get to 5 mg pred one day!! on 10 now... ugh!

does anyone get stretchmarks from skin swelling with water on pred? It sucks... but we can move much without it! I dont even look the same as I did for 26 years! That really sucks and I am not a vain person at all... it just makes us so puffy and weird looking... sick looking! doh!

good luck