How long does Methylprednisolone take to work for inflammation?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
How long does Methylprednisolone take to work for inflammation?
Methylprednisolone can take a few hours to a few days to work for inflammation, depending on the severity of your condition. Allergic inflammation of the skin, eyes, throat, tongue, etc can start to get better within 15-20 hours of taking the medication (1).
It may not fully go away, but symptoms do start to get better. However, inflammation associated with chronic conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc can take a few weeks for you to notice a satisfactory anti-inflammatory response (2).
However, there are some factors that can affect the therapeutic response of the drug and people usually recover at different rates.
This is because the medication alone is not responsible for generating a therapeutic response, but how your body reacts to it also makes a huge contribution.
Each individual is unique in terms of genes, the severity of symptoms, and overall body physiology. If you have been taking this medication for a week or two and you don’t see any difference in your symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
What to do if Methylprednisolone does not work for inflammation?
If Methylprednisolone does not effectively manage inflammation, it’s important to communicate this to your healthcare provider promptly. They will need to reevaluate your condition and explore other treatment options.
Your doctor may recommend alternative medications or therapies based on the specific cause of inflammation and your individual health needs. In some cases, they might suggest trying a different class of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Additionally, your doctor may consider further diagnostic tests or imaging to better understand the underlying cause of the inflammation. It’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the most suitable treatment plan to effectively manage your inflammation and ensure your well-being.
Alternative treatment strategies if Methylprednisolone does not work for inflammation
If Methylprednisolone does not effectively manage inflammation, there are alternative treatment strategies that your healthcare provider may consider:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are commonly used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. They work differently from steroids like Methylprednisolone and can be an alternative option (3).
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): DMARDs are used for chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. They help slow down the progression of the disease and reduce inflammation (4).
- Biologic therapies: Biologics are a type of medication that targets specific molecules involved in inflammation. They are often used when other treatments have not been effective (5).
- Immunosuppressants: These medications help suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation. They may be considered for certain autoimmune conditions (6).
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy and exercise can be helpful in managing inflammation and improving joint function.
- Lifestyle modifications: Making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and avoiding triggers, can support inflammation management.
- Topical treatments: For localized inflammation, topical creams or ointments may be prescribed to provide relief.
It’s crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the most suitable alternative treatment for your specific condition. They will consider your medical history, the severity of inflammation, and any underlying factors to determine the best approach for you.
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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. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544340
2.-
Lyons PR, Newman PK, Saunders M. Methylprednisolone therapy in multiple sclerosis: a profile of adverse effects. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1988 Feb;51(2):285-7. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.51.2.285. PMID: 3346696; PMCID: PMC1031546. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3346696/
3.-
Ghlichloo I, Gerriets V. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613522. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742
4.-
Benjamin O, Goyal A, Lappin SL. Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARD). 2022 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29939640. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507863
5.-
Kuek A, Hazleman BL, Ostör AJ. Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and biologic therapy: a medical revolution. Postgrad Med J. 2007 Apr;83(978):251-60. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.052688. PMID: 17403952; PMCID: PMC2600039. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17403952/
6.-
Wiseman AC. Immunosuppressive Medications. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2016 Feb 5;11(2):332-43. doi: 10.2215/CJN.08570814. Epub 2015 Jul 13. PMID: 26170177; PMCID: PMC4741049. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4741049/
