Glucocorticoids changed medicine in the middle of the twentieth century, and Methylprednisolone sits as a product of this pharmaceutical breakthrough. Its roots trace back to the race for safer and more effective steroids than cortisone and prednisone. Researchers at the Upjohn Company pursued modifications in steroid structure, looking to separate the positive anti-inflammatory punch from the messy side effects that steroids were known for. Chemists introduced a methyl group at the 6α-position of prednisolone to achieve more potency with fewer sodium-retaining properties. The availability of Methylprednisolone marked a shift—doctors suddenly had access to a synthetic steroid that offered strong benefits in treating allergies, autoimmune flare-ups, and severe inflammation, all while improving the odds of avoiding complications like hypertension and osteoporosis. Many patients who lived with asthma, lupus, or arthritis saw changes in their day-to-day symptoms as Methylprednisolone became more commonly prescribed, showing the evolution from crude early cortisol extractions to precisely engineered pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacists and hospitals recognize Methylprednisolone as a corticosteroid delivered in many forms—oral tablets, injectable solutions, or topical creams. The compound packs an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive punch, useful from emergency allergy responses to long-term autoimmune disease management. Doctors rely on its predictable absorption, rapid action, and straightforward tapering schedule to balance patient safety and fast symptom control. For children and adults with acute asthma attacks, nothing substitutes the punch of Methylprednisolone for stopping airway swelling. It stands indispensable on crash carts and treatment protocols for sudden swelling in allergies, and it brings relief in chronic illnesses without the full baggage of water and salt retention found in its older sibling, prednisone.
Methylprednisolone arrives as a white to almost white crystalline powder, practically insoluble in water but more easily dissolved in alcohol or acetone. Chemically, it holds a molecular formula of C22H30O5 and a molecular weight of 374.47 g/mol. Its melting point sits close to 235°C, an indicator of its stability during pharmaceutical processing. The molecule includes a methyl group at the 6-alpha position, which increases anti-inflammatory properties but reduces unwanted mineralocorticoid side effects. With a low water solubility, pharmaceutical manufacturers partner it with excipients or produce its sodium succinate salt for injectable versions. The sterane backbone gives it its signature corticosteroid punch and the ability to cross cell membranes, delivering anti-inflammatory instructions straight to the genetic machinery inside immune cells.
Packets and vials list exact methylprednisolone content, whether as base or as sodium succinate. Products land in pharmacies after passing rigorous purity checks, with limits on related substances, moisture content, and heavy metals. Labels outline expiration dates, batch numbers, storage demands (usually under 25°C while protecting from light), and dosing information. For injectables, specifications insist on sterile, pyrogen-free conditions along with clear dilution instructions. The injectable sodium succinate salt dissolves in saline or dextrose for intravenous delivery. Tablets usually come scored for easy dose splitting, and manufacturers underline the need for graduated weaning from long-term therapy to avoid adrenal shock. Care teams look for clearly printed guidance so dosing errors don’t compromise patient safety.
Production starts in chemical plants using prednisolone as the base. By leveraging the Wittig reaction or other methylation techniques, chemists insert the methyl group precisely and isolate methylprednisolone in pure form. Once synthesized, the compound undergoes purification, crystallization, and micronization before moving to blending with pharmaceutical excipients. Injectable versions require conversion to the sodium succinate for solubility, along with strict aseptic filling under clean-room conditions. Technicians perform regular batch testing to weed out any impurities or degradation products. The careful handling during manufacturing reflects lessons learned from decades of steroid production, each step fine-tuned to keep risks low and purity high.
The methyl group at the 6α position stands out as methylprednisolone’s signature piece, since it boosts selectivity for the glucocorticoid receptor and cuts down on mineralocorticoid side effects. Pharmaceutical chemists explored further tweaks, producing hydrophilic derivatives like methylprednisolone sodium succinate for fast-acting injections, and extending to esters for topical or depot action. Industrial synthesis allows tightly controlled oxidation, methylation, and isomerization steps, all followed by rigorous separation procedures. These chemical shifts allow methylprednisolone to serve specific settings, from quick intravenous rescue doses for shock to slow-release options in managing chronic skin flare-ups. Each refinement in chemical structure aims to push down toxicity and increase reliability under a range of clinical needs.
Doctors and pharmacists know methylprednisolone under a host of international brands, including Medrol, Solu-Medrol, and Depo-Medrol. Literature sometimes names it 6α-Methylprednisolone or 11β,17α,21-Trihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione. The sodium succinate form goes to market as Solu-Medrol for hospital use, while the acetate and hemisuccinate esters serve as long-acting depot or topical products. Each region and pharmaceutical house applies its own brand spin, but clinicians look to the generic name to guide dosing and cross-reference interactions or allergies.
Strict protocols anchor the safe use of methylprednisolone. Storage involves shielding from excess heat or moisture and keeping products sealed until use. Hospital guidelines chart safe dosing, highlighting risks if therapy is stopped abruptly. Warning labels flag the need for gradual tapering and screening for latent infections like tuberculosis before starting therapy. Nurses and pharmacists double-check expiry dates and reconstitution steps for injectables, since improper mixing leads to clumping or dosing mistakes. With steroids, infection risk climbs, blood sugar spikes, and bone thinning sneak up on patients under long-term therapy, so health teams schedule regular monitoring and supplement with calcium, vitamin D, and bone density tests where needed. Protective measures extend to medical offices, as even a single needle stick with contaminated product presents risk to health workers.
Doctors rely on methylprednisolone in emergencies, especially anaphylaxis and asthma flares that can spiral in minutes. It plays a steady role in rheumatology, neurology, and even oncology, easing symptoms in diseases that turn the immune system against the patient. Multiple sclerosis relapses receive high-dose intravenous infusions to shorten flare durations and reduce hospitalization. Dermatologists turn to it for stubborn eczema or autoimmune skin disorders, aiming to restore comfort and reduce infection from skin breakdown. Many chemotherapy protocols tuck a methylprednisolone pre-treatment in to head off severe reactions. Health workers pick this steroid over others for rapid action without some of the sodium retention baggage prednisone brings. In everyday clinics, it addresses allergy, inflammation, and exacerbations in chronic illnesses, often making the difference between home recovery and a hospital admission.
Academic and pharmaceutical labs invest effort into new formulations and delivery methods. Efforts focus on liposomal and nano-particulate suspensions, driving for targeted delivery with fewer systemic side effects. Studies put methylprednisolone head-to-head with other glucocorticoids, tracking outcomes across autoimmune, pulmonary, and allergic use cases. Newer analogs and prodrugs get synthesized to check if higher receptor selectivity or longer action cuts down on side effects. Clinical trials probe the limits in pediatric, elderly, and immunocompromised populations. Post-market surveillance picks up rare side effects or signals about adrenal suppression, feeding back into patient education and updated protocols. The molecule’s journey from discovery to daily use continues evolving around better safety and personalized dosing.
Intense focus lands on the risks of both short-term overdose and long-term use. Acute toxicity mostly appears through severe hyperglycemia or psychiatric complications, sometimes leading to confusion or mania. Longer durations bring risks of suppressed immune response, muscle loss, skin thinning, and increased bone fragility. Scientists unpack how methylprednisolone shifts calcium metabolism, revealing the pathways leading to osteoporosis and fracture in susceptible users. Animal studies lay the foundation for setting exposure limits, and real-world monitoring captures rare events like avascular necrosis or severe infections. Large datasets detail the frequency of gastrointestinal bleeding and link steroid dosing with blood pressure spikes and risk of diabetes. These signals prompt dose minimization, patient screening, and support measures, always trying to maximize relief with minimal long-term harm.
Synthetic steroid chemistry continues to evolve, and methylprednisolone still occupies a central role on pharmacy shelves. The push for smarter targeting—delivering the drug to inflamed tissues but sparing the rest of the body—drives innovation in carrier systems and implantable forms. Gene editing and biologics promise more precise immune control, but until those therapies reach every patient, steroids like methylprednisolone anchor the response to a flare or crisis. Field research explores reduced-dose regimens, combinations with biologics, and even patient-specific metabolism models using big data analytics to map risks and fine-tune doses. The drug’s journey has not ended—each advance in formulation, delivery, or safety monitoring adds a building block in the ongoing mission to bring powerful relief with fewer compromises. For the millions relying on disease control, methylprednisolone’s future continues to intertwine with every advance in inflammation and immune system research.
Methylprednisolone pops up a lot in pharmacies and clinics. Doctors often reach for it when someone needs fast relief from swelling or immune system problems. This drug falls under the corticosteroid group—a fancy word for medications that tame inflammation and quiet an overactive immune system. I’ve seen folks with swollen joints, painful rashes, and breathing problems walk out of urgent care with a methylprednisolone pack, hoping to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, severe allergies, asthma attacks—methylprednisolone steps in for crises like these. It shuts down the chemicals in the body that trigger redness and swelling. I remember a friend with lupus who had such intense joint swelling that simple tasks felt impossible. After a doctor started a methylprednisolone regimen, she described the swelling melting away in days. That’s the muscle behind this medication: it turns down the body’s flame when regular painkillers or basic allergy pills just don’t cut it.
It isn’t just about aches or hives. Doctors trust methylprednisolone for people exiting organ transplants to keep their immune systems from attacking new organs. It comes into play during severe asthma flare-ups when inhalers barely make a dent. In emergency rooms, methylprednisolone can calm swelling in the brain due to injuries or disease. The speed and power it offers can mean the difference between breathing clear and gasping, or saving precious tissue before damage sets in.
This power isn’t free. Doctors keep an eye on patients using methylprednisolone, especially during long stretches. I’ve seen the fallout from using it for too long: rising blood sugar, fragile bones, mood swings, weight gain, and even a harder time fighting infections. It’s easy to focus on the relief and forget the long-term risks, but experience taught me that every treatment plan should include a talk about side effects. That keeps people from reaching for pain-free days without understanding the hidden trade-offs.
Access to methylprednisolone in hospitals and pharmacies means many people get fast help in emergencies. Still, it shouldn’t become an everyday crutch. Doctors often try to find the lowest useful dose and keep treatment as short as possible. Lifestyle changes—moving more, eating better, finding ways to reduce stress—help people spend less time on corticosteroids. Biologics and newer drugs sometimes stand in as alternatives, offering targeted relief with fewer broad effects, but methylprednisolone holds its value for rapid or severe symptoms that can’t wait.
People often walk into clinics with only a hint of what methylprednisolone can do. Good healthcare means giving real details about what to expect, both the good and the bad. The drug has earned a place in medicine through decades of real-world use and careful study. Still, every pill or injection brings choices—balancing short relief against long-term risks. Knowing that, patients can join the discussion fully, helping drive decisions instead of feeling like bystanders.
Methylprednisolone often lands in medicine cabinets after a trip to the doctor for bad allergies, flare-ups from arthritis, or sudden rashes that won’t back down. Doctors like it because it acts fast. Inflammation gets dialed down and symptoms like pain or swelling start to clear up. This drug belongs to the steroid family, so its punch can feel a bit stronger than a usual anti-inflammatory pill.
Let’s get real about what happens once the prescription starts. The appetite often revs up. Some people find themselves making sandwiches in the middle of the night or snacking more than usual. Weight gain can sneak up, especially after a long course. Sleep tends to change, too. Instead of restful hours, nights might turn restless, and falling or staying asleep gets harder.
Stomach issues make the list. Heartburn and indigestion can show up, so eating smaller meals helps. Sometimes a sour or metallic taste lingers in the mouth. Even short bursts of methylprednisolone can unleash some mood changes. Some folks get irritable, others feel unusually energetic, and a few might notice anxiety brewing. Mood swings have real staying power with steroids.
Pimples, oily skin, and rounder cheeks don’t just bug teenagers. Steroids like methylprednisolone can trigger these changes for adults, too. The immune system stays busy—this pill can lower the body’s defenses against infection, so avoiding sick friends and crowded spaces makes good sense. Blood sugar bumps up, especially for anyone managing diabetes. Checking sugar levels a bit more often, or keeping healthy snacks handy, goes a long way.
Some folks notice muscles feel weaker or cramps kick in after a few weeks. Bones also lose some strength over time. Older adults or people already at risk for osteoporosis face greater chances of problems down the road. Eyes might feel dry, and those already dealing with cataracts or glaucoma may sense those conditions acting up.
The mental side should get the same attention as the physical. Anxiety and even moments of confusion sometimes show up, especially at higher doses. Checking in with loved ones for feedback on mood or behavior makes spotting problems easier before they escalate.
Strong communication with a healthcare team keeps side effects in check. Regular appointments catch blood pressure or blood sugar changes early. Folks can ask about lowering the dose as symptoms improve or about switching to a different medicine, if possible. Eating less salty, processed food helps with swelling and water retention. Staying active—even if just walking—keeps bones and muscles stronger for the long haul.
Doctors know this isn’t an over-the-counter painkiller. They weigh the risks and benefits with every prescription. Speaking up about strange or hard-to-handle symptoms never slows down care—in fact, it often leads to smarter adjustments and fewer long-term issues.
Short stints of methylprednisolone often come with manageable bumps in the road. Longer courses ask for more vigilance and teamwork with a healthcare provider. People do best when they listen to their bodies, show up for appointments, and chat honestly with their medical team about any changes they notice. Taking these steps can keep methylprednisolone’s helpful side front and center.
Methylprednisolone pops up in clinics and pharmacies all the time. Doctors reach for it when the body’s immune system hits overdrive—think about asthma flares, allergic reactions, arthritis pain, or those odd rashes that come out of nowhere. This medication packs a punch by taming inflammation and dialing back the body’s immune response. Anyone handed a prescription wants answers: how do I actually take it, what happens if I mess up, and will I walk away with a list of side effects I never bargained for?
Doctors base the dose and schedule on the problem at hand. Someone might need a “dose pack” that starts big and tapers over days, while others take stable daily pills. The difference really matters—steroids like methylprednisolone play by their own rules. Taking a high dose all at once or stopping cold turkey can stir up trouble, from fatigue to a flare of your original problem. I’ve seen folks bounce back to the clinic because they thought skipping the tail end of their pack wouldn’t matter. Trust your provider and finish the course—think of it like completing a round of antibiotics. Each dose steps down your immune system’s ‘executive order’ until things simmer down.
Swallow those pills with food or a hearty glass of milk—never on an empty stomach. Not just because it feels better, but because corticosteroids and hungry bellies clash, leading to acid reflux or nausea. Get into a groove and try to take your medicine at the same hour each day. An early morning dose lets your body follow its natural rhythm; life gets less chaotic that way. If your medication list already looks like a novel, talk to a pharmacist. Even common stuff like ibuprofen can mix poorly, giving your stomach lining a hard time or causing other issues. Alcohol, certain vaccines, and herbal supplements don’t always play nice with steroids either.
Every medication brings a few hitchhikers. Extra fluid, swelling, higher blood pressure, cranky moods, pimples—that all can show up. Long courses sometimes raise blood sugar or thin bones. The chance of something serious grows the longer you take steroids. Don’t shrug it off if your mood dips, sleep disappears, or a weird swelling shows up. I once watched a friend ignore these signs until things escalated to moon face and nearly uncontrollable blood sugar swings—issues that faded slowly only after the medication stopped. Speak up at follow-up visits and never tough it out alone.
Use a pill organizer or old-fashioned sticky notes if necessary. Let a family member know you’re taking methylprednisolone—they might spot mood or sleep changes before you do. Routine blood pressure checks aren’t overkill. Stay in touch with your care team. Early tweaks to your plan prevent bigger problems down the road.
Quality health advice comes straight from your prescriber or a seasoned pharmacist, not from a quick web search or cousin’s story. Share every health detail—even the embarrassing ones—or your doctor’s plan won’t fit you. No detail is too small. Good teamwork keeps the guessing and risk out of the equation, making methylprednisolone work for you, not against you.
Filling a prescription for methylprednisolone usually means dealing with something more serious than a mild cold—maybe asthma, an inflammatory flare-up, or a skin condition that just won’t settle down. For a lot of people, the big question isn't only about side effects but also about daily routines. Like, can you still enjoy a beer at a barbecue or a glass of wine with dinner if you're on this medication?
Doctors often urge caution with alcohol while taking methylprednisolone. Many don’t spell out the reasons, but folks notice that their stomach seems more sensitive, sleep can be shaky, and moods swing fast on this steroid. Adding alcohol, which already irritates the gut and can mess with your mood, creates real risk. From my own family’s experience—my mother needed methylprednisolone a few years ago for her arthritis—combining the two didn’t just mean minor discomfort. She ended up with a stomach ache so lasting and intense that she called her doctor late at night. Turns out, this mix can increase risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding.
Methylprednisolone works by suppressing inflammation, but it also makes the stomach lining more vulnerable, impacts blood sugar, and can raise blood pressure. Alcohol does much of the same—weakening the gut’s natural defenses, pushing sugars out of balance, and straining the heart. So, the risk isn’t just cautionary. Studies from the Mayo Clinic and American College of Gastroenterology show a higher chance of gastritis, ulcers, and heart issues when people mix alcohol with corticosteroids.
Alcohol’s effect on mental health also gets a boost when steroids enter the equation. I've heard more stories than I can count—friends feeling jumpier, quick to anger, or battling insomnia during steroid treatment. Add a drink or two, and those feelings intensify. It’s frustrating, especially for folks just trying to manage their condition and still have a normal social life.
Doctors rarely tell patients they must swear off alcohol forever, but they do stress moderation. If a social drink feels important for mental well-being, most physicians advise waiting until the steroid course finishes or at least reducing intake to one serving and monitoring the body’s reaction closely. People dealing with diabetes, ulcers, or heart disease should be even more careful, since risks climb so fast. In these cases, doctors often recommend skipping alcohol entirely during methylprednisolone use.
During my mom’s course of methylprednisolone, we supported her by keeping alternatives handy—sparkling water with lime, nonalcoholic beers, fruit-infused seltzers. Small changes like these helped. The goal shifted from feeling left out of family gatherings to feeling well enough to enjoy them. Anyone feeling uncertain about alcohol on this drug should talk openly with their pharmacist or specialist. Medication side effects hit everyone differently.
Reading up, including advice from trusted medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic and WebMD, backed up what we experienced firsthand. There’s no shame in playing it safe; health always outweighs the pleasure of a quick drink. Avoiding alcohol, at least for a short stretch, often leads to better outcomes. Many people find they sleep better, heal faster, and keep their condition from flaring worse.
Doctors, friends, and family can all help set the stage for healthier habits. Sticking to water or tea isn’t easy for everyone, but while on methylprednisolone, it’s one of the simplest and most reliable ways to make sure the treatment works as smoothly as possible.
A bottle of methylprednisolone in the medicine cabinet can fool anyone into thinking it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Steroids like this often get handed out for everything from a stubborn asthma flare-up to an achy autoimmune joint. Most folks expect relief, not wake-up calls from surprised pharmacists. Drugs rarely act alone inside the body. I’ve sat across from patients who’ve learned this the hard way, shocked when a prescription that soothed their pain warped their blood sugar, upset their moods, or made their blood pressure spike.
Let’s look straight at the interactions. Blood sugar, for one, can surge with methylprednisolone, especially if someone uses insulin or pills for diabetes. I’ve seen folks chasing their glucose numbers for days, dialing up insulin or adding new pills, all because a five-day steroid burst changed the rules. This isn’t a lesson pulled from a dusty textbook—emergency rooms see it often.
Another clash comes with blood thinners like warfarin. Steroids, at times, mess with how warfarin controls clotting. A dose adjustment gets tricky. Forgetting to check blood tests, or ignoring a bruise, lands people in a tough spot—a hospital bed, sometimes, instead of their own at home.
Mixing methylprednisolone with medicines that dampen the immune system, such as methotrexate or biologics, stacks the risk. The body becomes more inviting to infections. This risk isn’t abstract. A neighbor on steroids and a TNF blocker caught a simple cold, then ended up with pneumonia in less than a week. The intersection of medicines cut down her defenses, fast.
The trouble doesn’t stop at prescription bottles. Antacids and over-the-counter medicines taken for heartburn can draw out methylprednisolone’s effects or dull them, since calcium and aluminum can trip up absorption. Then there are vaccines. Some vaccines use weakened viruses. If someone’s on a strong steroid like methylprednisolone, their immune system might not mount a full defense, or the vaccine could even end up causing the very illness it set out to prevent.
Warnings hide in the fine print, and most people miss them. Real talk at the pharmacy counter, or a thoughtful conversation with a doctor, means more than anything written on an insert. In my own practice, I’ve watched patients sigh as their bag of medications grows larger, worried about the tangle of pills. They ask honest questions: “Will this interact with what I already take?” More people should.
No one walks into a drugstore looking for a chemistry experiment. Solutions start with a simple medication list—written, stored on a phone, or memorized. Pharmacists, doctors, and nurses all pitch in. Each check matters. Smart databases flag possible problems, but nothing replaces direct, respectful conversations. Patients who ask questions stay safer. Knowing which drugs don’t play nice together beats learning about interactions while rushing to the ER. The best advice I’ve ever given in a clinic: “Two heads are better than one—bring your medication list and your questions every visit.”
Methylprednisolone brings real benefits, but it never operates in a vacuum. People deserve honest answers, fewer surprises, and care that weighs all the pieces together before a new prescription starts.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | (6α,11β,16α)-11,17,21-Trihydroxy-6-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione |
| Other names |
Medrol
Solu-Medrol Depo-Medrol |
| Pronunciation | /ˌmɛθ.ɪl.prɛdˈnɪs.əˌloʊn/ |
| Preferred IUPAC name | (6α,11β,16α)-11,17,21-Trihydroxy-6-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione |
| Other names |
Medrol
Depo-Medrol Solu-Medrol 6α-Methylprednisolone |
| Pronunciation | /ˌmɛθɪlprɛdˈnɪsəloʊn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 83-43-2 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `3D model (JSmol)` string for **Methylprednisolone**: ``` CC(=O)[C@@H]1[C@@H]2C[C@@H]3C=C(C(=O)CO)[C@@]3(C)CC[C@@]2(C)C(=O)C[C@]1(C)O ``` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1204051 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:6823 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1200301 |
| ChemSpider | 2226 |
| DrugBank | DB00959 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 13c2e4a7-836c-4fd1-89e3-5310c17e6d6c |
| EC Number | EC 200-352-2 |
| Gmelin Reference | 60738 |
| KEGG | C00260 |
| MeSH | D008770 |
| PubChem CID | 5755 |
| RTECS number | OV8751000 |
| UNII | 8Z6JE1J0SR |
| UN number | UN2811 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID5027957 |
| CAS Number | 50-24-8 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `3D model (JSmol)` string for **Methylprednisolone** (from PubChem CID: 6741): ``` CC(=O)[C@]1(CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(C(=O)CO)C[C@@H]([C@H]3[C@H]2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34)O)O ``` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1421172 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:6820 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1239 |
| ChemSpider | 71453 |
| DrugBank | DB00959 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.015.170 |
| EC Number | EC 3.2.1.45 |
| Gmelin Reference | Gmelin Reference: "118404 |
| KEGG | D00424 |
| MeSH | D008770 |
| PubChem CID | 5743 |
| RTECS number | OA1750000 |
| UNII | 8I9YYY2L0F |
| UN number | UN2811 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID4020403 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C22H30O5 |
| Molar mass | 374.47 g/mol |
| Appearance | White or nearly white, odorless, crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.3 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 1.61 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000133 mmHg at 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 12.59 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 12.53 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -9.2e-6 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.508 |
| Viscosity | Viscous liquid |
| Dipole moment | 2.92 D |
| Chemical formula | C22H30O5 |
| Molar mass | 374.47 g/mol |
| Appearance | White or almost white crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.32 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble in water |
| log P | 1.61 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000167 mmHg at 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 12.59 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 12.48 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -88.4e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.561 |
| Viscosity | Viscous liquid |
| Dipole moment | 2.45 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 425.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -708.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -6453 kJ/mol |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 329.5 J/mol·K |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -706.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -6457 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | H02AB04 |
| ATC code | H02AB04 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause immunosuppression, increased risk of infection, hypertension, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, psychiatric disturbances, and adrenal suppression. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | Do not refrigerate; Protect from light; Keep dry |
| Hazard statements | Hazard statements: May cause cancer. May damage fertility or the unborn child. |
| Precautionary statements | Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | 215 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | > 400°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (rat, oral): >1000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Mouse intravenous 94 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | SAF87500 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 16 mg daily |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not Listed |
| Main hazards | May cause immunosuppression, increased risk of infections, gastrointestinal disturbances, osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, and mood changes. |
| GHS labelling | GHS labelling: "Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) |
| Pictograms | Maybe harmful, No driving, Prescription only, With food |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302: Harmful if swallowed. H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. H335: May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-0-0 |
| Flash point | Flash point: 232.8 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | > 500°C (932°F) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | Lethal dose or concentration: "LD50 (rat, oral): 1950 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Mouse (oral) = 1,350 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | NQ0167000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 500 mg |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not Listed |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Prednisolone
Prednisone Hydrocortisone Dexamethasone Betamethasone |
| Related compounds |
Prednisolone
Prednisone Hydrocortisone Dexamethasone Triamcinolone Betamethasone Fludrocortisone |
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