Can you take Methylprednisolone with Ibuprofen or Naproxen? 

Can you take Methylprednisolone with Ibuprofen or Naproxen? 

It is not generally recommended to pair Methylprednisolone with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen (Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve). However, you can take them for a short span of time, but only if advised by your healthcare provider. 

Long-term use of these medications can cause a number of side effects and it is not recommended to go for it. If you do take them together, it’s best to change the timings of administration to prevent the risks. 

Risks of taking Methylprednisolone with NSAIDs 

The most considerable risk when it comes to combining Methylprednisolone with NSAIDs is the increased gastrointestinal side effects. 

Since both Methylprednisolone and NSAIDs are heavy on your stomach, they can cause disturbing side effects like (1,2)

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea 
  • Abdominal pain
  • GI irritation 
  • Acid reflux 
  • Risk of GI bleeding 

These side effects can vary from person to person and depend on the doses and duration of treatment. This combination is not an ideal one and may not be a good option for everyone. This is why it’s best to not pair NSAIDs and corticosteroids without your doctor’s approval. 

There are some other drugs and beverages that should not be taken with Methylprednisolone, because of the risk of certain side effects. So, make sure you don’t pair Methylprednisolone with anything that’s not compatible with it.

An advice 

If your doctor has recommended taking these meds, make sure you take them at separate times and with food. 

Taking Methylprednisolone and NSAIDs with food separately can help prevent gastrointestinal side effects since the food acts as a barrier and protects the mucosal lining of your GIT. 

I also suggest not exceeding the recommended treatment duration. If you think your symptoms are still the same at the end of your treatment course, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider and not make any changes to your prescription by yourself. 

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References

1.-

Ocejo A, Correa R. Methylprednisolone. 2022 Dec 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31335060. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544340/

2.-

Ghlichloo I, Gerriets V. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). 2022 May 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613522. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742/