How to Use Medrol for Chronic Bronchitis

Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid medication sold under the brand name Medrol in the United States and Canada. Medrol is commonly prescribed to treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma, immune disorders, allergies and respiratory diseases. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, bronchitis is defined as an inflammation of the main airways to your lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough and chest tightness. Medrol treats chronic bronchitis by reducing the swelling of breathing tubes that supply oxygen to the lungs. It is important to use Medrol properly to avoid adverse reactions and treat the symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your physician or be seen at an urgent care clinic if you suspect you may have bronchitis. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis can be mistaken for other conditions, so it is important to see a physician for a definite diagnosis. If experiencing symptoms of severe shortness of breath or chest pain, seek emergency treatment immediately.

• 2

  Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of taking Medrol for chronic bronchitis with your doctor. According to Drugs.com, common side effects of Medrol include mood changes, dry skin, bruising, nausea, bloating and headache. Steroid medications can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of colds, influenza and other infectious diseases.

• 3

  Provide your doctor with a complete medical history. Medrol is contraindicated in some patients including patients with diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. Physicians sometimes choose to treat an episode of chronic bronchitis with Medrol in patients with these conditions, but dosage changes and special blood work may be necessary before starting Medrol therapy.

• 4

  Physicians sometimes suggest a lung specialist to treat chronic bronchitis.

  Tell your doctor of any medications, supplements or herbal products you are taking because Medrol can cause interactions when combined with other medications. Tell your physician if you have ever had any allergic reactions to Medrol or other drugs from the steroid family. Get emergency medical help for severe allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat, lips or tongue.

• 5

  Take Medrol exactly as it was prescribed by your physician and exactly as it is stated on your prescription container. Eat a small meal a half hour before taking Medrol to prevent gastric upset and increased chance of gastric ulcers. Drink plenty of fluids, when taking Medrol, to thin mucus secretions commonly caused by chronic bronchitis.

• 6

  Monitor for any signs of infection such as fever, coughing up fluid or increased shortness of breath. The Mayo Clinic reports that corticosteroids may increase a child's risk of chickenpox or measles, and elderly patients could experience a rise in blood pressure when taking corticosteroids. It's important to always monitor for reactions and secondary infections when taking an immune suppressant like Medrol.

• 7

  Notify your physician if your symptoms of bronchitis have not improved while on Medrol therapy. Although Medrol is a strong medication, it may not work for every case of chronic bronchitis. Medrol is safe to take for chronic bronchitis when prescribed and monitored by a physician.