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Methylprednisolone

Prescription
Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid
Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team
Species
Dog, Cat
Brands
4 available
Interactions
2 documented
Formulations
5

Mechanism of action

Synthetic glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties; slightly more potent than prednisolone with less mineralocorticoid activity

At a glance

Class
Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid
Schedule
Prescription
Storage
Store below 25°C. Reconstituted sodium succinate: use within 48 hours.

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Anti-inflammatory (oral)
Dose
0.4–1 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID-BID
Max dose
40 mg/dose; 80 mg/day
Duration: 5-7 days then taper
Spinal cord injury / CNS inflammation (methylprednisolone sodium succinate)
Dose
15–30 mg/kg
Route
IV
Frequency
Single dose (controversial)
Max dose
1000 mg
Duration: Single bolus within 8 hours of injury
Depot injection (methylprednisolone acetate) — allergic skin disease
Dose
1–2 mg/kg
Route
IM, SC
Frequency
Every 2-4 weeks as needed
Max dose
40 mg
Duration: Not for chronic repeated use
🐈

Cat

Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease
Dose
0.4–1 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID
Max dose
8 mg
Duration: 5-7 days then taper
Depot injection — feline asthma / eosinophilic granuloma complex
Dose
10–20 mg/cat
Route
IM
Frequency
Every 2-4 weeks (max 3 doses)
Max dose
20 mg
Duration: Transition to oral prednisolone for long-term management
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Tablet — 2

Strength
4mg
Available in India
Strength
16mg
Available in India
💉

Injectable (acetate depot) — 1

Strength
40mg/mL
Available in India
💉

Injectable (sodium succinate) — 2

Strength
125mg vial
Available in India
Strength
500mg vial
Available in India

Storage

Store below 25°C. Reconstituted sodium succinate: use within 48 hours.

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

  • Systemic fungal infections
    Immunosuppression worsens fungal disease
  • Concurrent NSAIDs
    GI ulceration risk
    MeloxicamCarprofen

Use with caution

  • Diabetes mellitus
    Insulin resistance — depot form causes prolonged hyperglycaemia
  • Cats — diabetes risk from depot
    Cats are particularly susceptible to steroid-induced diabetes; depot injections carry higher risk

Adverse effects

Common
PU/PD
Polyphagia
Weight gain
Serious
GI ulceration
Diabetes mellitus (especially depot in cats)
Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome
Adrenal suppression

Monitoring parameters

Blood glucose (especially cats)Liver enzymesBody weightSkin and coat condition
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Interactions

Major — 2

Meloxicam
major
NSAID + corticosteroid: additive GI mucosal injury from prostaglandin inhibition combined with impaired mucosal healing.
Management: Do not combine. Allow washout before transitioning between drug classes.
Insulin, Glargine
major
Corticosteroid-induced insulin resistance destabilizes diabetic control.
Management: Avoid. If steroid needed, budesonide may have less systemic glucose effect. Monitor glucose curves.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Brands

International

Medrol
Pfizer
Depo-Medrol
Pfizer
Solu-Medrol
Pfizer

India

Medrol
Pfizer

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is Methylprednisolone?
Methylprednisolone is a intermediate-acting glucocorticoid used in pets. Synthetic glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties; slightly more potent than prednisolone with less mineralocorticoid activity
What is Methylprednisolone used for in pets?
Methylprednisolone is used in veterinary medicine for: Anti-inflammatory (oral); Spinal cord injury / CNS inflammation (methylprednisolone sodium succinate); Depot injection (methylprednisolone acetate) — allergic skin disease; Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease; Depot injection — feline asthma / eosinophilic granuloma complex.
What is the Methylprednisolone dose for dogs?
For dogs, Methylprednisolone is typically dosed as follows — Anti-inflammatory (oral): 0.4–1 mg/kg PO SID-BID; Spinal cord injury / CNS inflammation (methylprednisolone sodium succinate): 15–30 mg/kg IV Single dose (controversial); Depot injection (methylprednisolone acetate) — allergic skin disease: 1–2 mg/kg IM/SC Every 2-4 weeks as needed. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What is the Methylprednisolone dose for cats?
For cats, Methylprednisolone is typically dosed as follows — Anti-inflammatory / allergic disease: 0.4–1 mg/kg PO SID; Depot injection — feline asthma / eosinophilic granuloma complex: 10–20 mg/cat IM Every 2-4 weeks (max 3 doses). Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What are the side effects of Methylprednisolone?
Common: PU/PD, Polyphagia, Weight gain. Serious (call your vet immediately): GI ulceration, Diabetes mellitus (especially depot in cats), Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, Adrenal suppression.
Does Methylprednisolone need a prescription?
Yes. Methylprednisolone is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.
When should Methylprednisolone not be used?
Do not use Methylprednisolone if: Systemic fungal infections; Concurrent NSAIDs.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

References

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
  • NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
  • Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
  • AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
  • ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
  • RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

  • EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
  • JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

  • CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

  • Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database

Related medicines

Other medicines in the same class (Intermediate-acting glucocorticoid).

Prednisolone
Rx
Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to produce anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-allergic effects
dogcat
Triamcinolone
Rx
Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to reduce inflammation and immune response; intermediate potency with minimal mineralocorticoid activity
dogcat
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