Solumedrol Contraindications

Solumedrol, generically referred to as methylprednisolone sodium succinate, is a synthetic corticosteroid used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The medication is available in different strengths as an intravenous or intramuscular administration. You need to treat solumedrol contraindications with care; not doing so may result in severe consequences, including death.

Premature Infants

• Solumedrol contains benzyl alcohol, used as a preservative, which may cause fatal "gasping syndrome" in neonates. According to the University of Illinois, benzyl alcohol depresses the central nervous system in infants and causes hypotension, metabolic acidosis and bradycardia, eventually causing organ system failure.

Hypersensitivity

• Those who have a known hypersensitivity to the product or any of its constituents should not take solumedrol.

Intrathecal Administration

• Intrathecal administration is direct injection into the spinal column, effectively by-passing the blood-brain barrier, which normally filters out harmful substances. Intrathecal drugs cannot contain any preservatives, such as benzyl alcohol in solumedrol, because they cause harmful side effects in the brain.

Systemic Fungal Infections

• Solumedrol depresses the immune system. People with a systemic fungal infection should not take the medication because it decreases the body's ability to fight the fungal infection.