Methylprednisolone (Medrol) Coupons & Prices

Looking for a methylprednisolone coupon? Methylprednisolone is a widely used generic corticosteroid, sold under brand names such as Medrol and the Medrol Dosepak, and because it is available as a low-cost generic you usually do not need a brand-name budget to fill it. Cash prices still vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next, so it pays to compare. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find a low price near you and show a free discount coupon at the counter. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you.

What is methylprednisolone and how does it work?

Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid). It works by calming inflammation and quieting an overactive immune system, which is why it is used for such a wide range of conditions. The FDA has approved it as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant for problems including rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, acute gouty arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; collagen diseases such as lupus; severe skin conditions; allergic states like seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis and contact dermatitis; respiratory disease such as asthma and sarcoidosis; certain blood disorders and cancers (leukemias and lymphomas); nephrotic syndrome; ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; and some nervous system conditions such as acute multiple sclerosis flares. In endocrine disorders like adrenal insufficiency it is used together with a mineralocorticoid.

The Medrol Dosepak is a 4 mg tablet packaged as a tapered course, and it is commonly prescribed for short-term acute inflammatory or allergic flares. Methylprednisolone also comes as injectable forms (Depo-Medrol and Solu-Medrol) given in a clinical setting. Always take it exactly as your prescriber directs.

Methylprednisolone cost and coupons without insurance

Methylprednisolone is available as an FDA-approved generic, so it is generally one of the more affordable steroids to fill, even without insurance. The catch is that the cash price is not the same everywhere; different pharmacies set very different prices for the exact same tablets, and the gap between the highest and lowest price near you can be significant. That is why comparing before you fill matters.

Rx.com compares methylprednisolone prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and gives you a free discount coupon you can show at checkout, no insurance required. There is no manufacturer copay card for generic methylprednisolone, and you do not need one to save. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you and pick the lowest one.

Methylprednisolone vs. other steroids and alternatives

Methylprednisolone belongs to the same corticosteroid family as several other common steroids your prescriber may consider. The right choice depends on the condition, how strong an effect is needed, and how long you will take it. Related oral and injectable steroids include:

• prednisone — a very commonly prescribed oral steroid; methylprednisolone is somewhat more potent milligram for milligram
• prednisolone — the active form of prednisone, often used when a liquid is helpful
• dexamethasone — a longer-acting, more potent steroid
• hydrocortisone — a shorter-acting steroid, closest to the body's natural cortisol
• triamcinolone — available in injectable and topical forms

All of these are available as generics. If your prescriber has written for a specific one, compare its price on Rx.com rather than switching on your own, since these steroids are not interchangeable dose-for-dose.

Safety and side effects

Methylprednisolone has no boxed warning, but like all corticosteroids it should be taken carefully. It can raise blood pressure, cause fluid and sodium retention, raise blood sugar, and lead to mood or sleep changes such as insomnia. Because it lowers your immune response, it can increase the risk of infection and mask the usual signs of one; live vaccines should be avoided at immunosuppressive doses. With longer-term use it can contribute to cataracts or glaucoma, thinning bones (osteoporosis) and fractures, muscle weakness, stomach ulcers, slower wound healing, and slowed growth in children.

Do not stop methylprednisolone abruptly after taking it for a prolonged period; suddenly stopping can trigger adrenal insufficiency, so your prescriber will taper the dose down gradually. Use extra caution if you have had a recent heart attack, diabetes, a herpes eye infection, or a history of psychiatric conditions. This is general information, not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation and report side effects that concern you.