Hi brired!!
I am going to start answering your last question. There is a feature
called "Request for Answer Clarification", you can use this tool all
the times that you feel you need to. So please don´t consider this
question finished until you are completely satisfied with the answer
and the follow up clarifications. I will gladly respond to all the
clarifications requested by you regarding to the topic of this
question.
The symptoms/effects of an overdose of the drug methylprednisolone:
Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid mainly indicated for the
treatment of inflamed areas of the body. The medication may, however,
be prescribed for a number of disorders, including rheumatic,
endocrine, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, opthalmic,
gastrointestinal, respiratory, hematologic and neoplastic diseases.
Medications such as methylprednisolone acetate are given to replace a
lack of cortisone-like hormones naturally produced by the body.
Methylprednisolone acetate was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 1960.
As a corticosteroid it has many contraindications and side effects
that must be accounted, so the risks of taking this medicine,
specially in long-term treatments, must be weighed against the good it
will do.
Dosing is individually based, so the dose of these drugs will be
different for each patient and his/her condition. The following link
gives you information about the range of doses of the different
corticosteroids (including methylprednisolone) for all uses, this
doses indications are only given as reference, depending of the
patient and the condition the necessary dose can be out of these
ranges:
"MedlinePlus Drug Information: Corticosteroids Glucocorticoid Effects
(Systemic): Proper Use of This Medicine":
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202018.html#SXX15
A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms
or death. An overdose is more likely to be caused by a large doses
taken over an extended period of time. Symptoms of an overdose include
obesity (especially around the stomach); a round face; increased hair
growth (especially around the face); acne; bruising; increased blood
pressure; swollen hands, feet, or ankles (fluid retention); and sore
or weak muscles.
A chronic overdose usually results in accumulation of steroids in
blood stream due to kidney or liver disorders. This produces the
Cushing's disease:
"WHAT IS CUSHING'S SYNDROME?
Cushing's Syndrome is a disease caused by an excess of cortisol
production or by excessive use of cortisol or other similar steroid
(glucocorticoid) hormones....
WHAT CAUSES CUSHING'S SYNDROME?
When cortisol or other glucocorticoid hormones (such as
hydrocortisone, prednisone, methyl-prednisolone or dexamethasone) are
taken in excess of the normal daily requirement for a prolonged period
of time, it causes Cushing's syndrome. This "iatrogenic" (caused by
the treatment) form is unfortunately a necessary side effect when high
doses of these steroid hormones must be used to treat certain
life-threatening illnesses, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, some allergies, and
others...
HOW COMMON IS CUSHING'S SYNDROME?
Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome from taking steroid medication is
extremely common because of the widespread use of these medicines in
treating many illnesses..."
From "CUSHING'S SYNDROME: THE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW" by Paul
Margulies, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Cornell
University Medical College. I strongly suggest you to visit this page:
http://www.medhelp.org/www/nadf4.htm
Other sources of CUSHING'S SYNDROME are spontaneous overproduction of
cortisol in the adrenals or a tumor of the adrenal gland that produce
an excess of cortisol.
"Warnings and Precautions:
Short term administration of corticosteroids and short courses of high
dose intermittent Methylprednisolone are unlikely to produce harmful
effects provided the drug is given at the recommended rate of
administration. However, if used for longer than 48 to 72 hours
continuously, severe endocrinological and cardiovascular side effects
can occur. Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency leading to adrenal
atrophy and generalised protein depletion have been reported.
Following long term therapy it is essential that withdrawal of
corticosteroid therapy is gradual to avoid adrenal insufficiency
effects.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular
cataracts and glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves and
may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to
fungi or viruses...
Adverse Effects:
If used for short-term therapy the incidence of adverse reactions to
Methylprednisolone sodium succinate therapy is rare. High dose therapy
may be associated with reactions common to corticosteroids such as:
·Gastrointestinal
Dyspepsia, peptic ulceration with perforation and haemorrhage.
Abdominal distension, oesophageal ulceration or candidiasis,
oesophagitis, acute pancreatitis, gastric haemorrhage and perforation
of the bowel. Nausea, vomiting and bad taste may occur with repeated
administration.
·Musculoskeletal
Muscle weakness steroid myopathy, aseptic necrosis, osteoporosis, long
bone or vertebral and pathologic fracture, avascular osteonecrosis,
tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon.
·Cardiovascular
Sodium and water retention, hypertension, hypotension, potassium loss,
hypokalaemic alkalosis, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure.
·Dermatologic
Impaired wound healing, skin atrophy, bruising, striae, petechiae,
telangiectasia, acne, ecchymotic manifestations, hyperpigmentation,
hypopigmentation, thin fragile skin.
·Endocrine
Menstrual irregularity and amenorrhoea, Cushingoid face, hirsutism,
weight gain, impaired carbohydrate tolerance with increased
requirement for antidiabetic therapy, negative nitrogen balance,
suppression of growth in children, suppression of pituitary-adrenal
axis.
·Neuropsychiatric
Euphoria, psychological dependence, depression, insomnia, intracranial
hypertension in children, aggravation of schizophrenia, pseudotumor
cerebri, seizures, increased intracranial pressure, psychic
derangements.
·Ophthalmic
Increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, papilloedema, cataracts,
corneal thinning, exacerbation of viral disease, exopthalmos.
·Immune System
Masking of infections, latent infections becoming active,
opportunistic infections, hypersensitivity reactions including
anaphylaxis may suppress reactions to skin tests.
The following additional reactions are related to parenteral
corticosteroid therapy: anaphylactic reaction with or without
circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, bronchospasm, cardiac
arrhythmias."
The above text was extracted from the "Methylprednisolone Sodium
Succinate Powder for Injection - Data Sheet" at :
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/m/Methylprednisoloneinj.htm
The above text is showed as an example of what you can find in
Methylprednisolone's Data Sheet pages at Medsafe - the New Zealand
Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority - website; because I
don't know how this drug has been prescribed to you and in which form
(tablet, injection, etc.) I give you links to data sheets of the
different forms as Methylprednisolone is presented, in the proper data
sheet page search for the WARNING & PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE EFFECTS
sections:
"Methylprednisolone tablets, 4mg and 100mg":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/m/Medroltab.htm
"Methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% Cream and Ointment":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/a/Advantanointcrm.htm
"Methylprednisolone acetate USP, 40mg/ml injection":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/d/Depomedrolinj.htm
"Methylprednisolone acetate, lignocaine hydrochloride injection":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/d/Depomedrolliginj.htm
"Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Powder for Injection":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/m/Methylprednisoloneinj.htm
"Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, USP 40mg, 125mg,
250mg, 500mg, 1000mg and 2000mg vials":
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/s/Solumedrolinj.htm
Note that a chronic overdose is likely to cause diabetes mellitus,
manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, increased requirements for
insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics. Cortisone causes
blood glucose to increase, therefore, high blood sugar may occur,
glucose tolerance may be altered, and diabetes mellitus may be made
worse. Close monitoring of blood glucose is recommended with any
abnormalities reported to the doctor.
For more info about Diabetes:
"MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diabetes":
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001214.htm
For additional reference the following pages will be useful:
"RxMed: Pharmaceutical Information - METHYLPREDNISOLONE SODIUM
SUCCINATE FOR INJECTION USP":
http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20(General%20Monographs-%20M)/METHYLPREDNISOLONE%20SODIUM%20SUCCINATE%20FOR%20INJECTION%20USP.html
"Methylprednisolones":
http://www.larsanna.com/Drugindex/mg/methylprednisolones.htm
------------------------------------------------------------
This is all about symptoms/effects of a long-term overdose of the drug
methylprednisolone.
Regarding to medical malpractice lawsuits involving an overdose of
methylprednisolone, I found the following cases involving methylprednisolone:
(Note: remember that Medrol is a brand name for the drug Methylprednisolone)
S. C. O.,Plaintiff, vs Dayton Hudson Corp.:
"This plaintiff alleged, in her pharmacy malpractice suit, that
pharmacists Joyce Reyes and Martin S. Pecina, both employed by the
Target Store at 601 South County Farm Road in Wheaton, Illinois didn't
misfill her prescription with the wrong drug, but instead didn't
follow her doctors instructions on the appropriate daily dosage to be
taken and the number of times it could be refilled."
http://www.malpracticeweb.com/dayton_os.htm
E. L., Plaintiff, vs Gene O. Neri, M.D., Defendant.:
"In his medical malpractice lawsuit filed in 2001, then 47-year-old
Mr. L claimed that while he was being treated by Dr. Gene O. Neri from
September of 1997 through November of 1998, apparently after being
involved in an accident while riding his motorcycle, Dr. Neri
negligently over prescribed corticosteroid medication to him, namely
Medrol, to reduce swelling, which resulted in bilateral avascular -
insufficient blood supply - necrosis to both femoral heads which
necessitated multiple surgeries including hip replacements."
http://www.malpracticeweb.com/neri_gene_li.htm
"MEYER PROCTOR and MARJORIE PROCTOR vs MICHAEL J. DAVIS, M.D. and THE
UPJOHN COMPANY":
The patient lost his eye because a bad injection procedure. See the
entire file found at "Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Court
Opinions" page:
http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/1997/1stDistrict/July/HTML/1923151.txt
The following page may be interesting to you:
"Drug News: Methylprednisolone - Woman Dies from Contaminated Drug":
'An elderly woman died during August 2002 in a Raleigh, North Carolina
hospital, and two others contracted meningitis as a result of a
medication infected with a type of mold called Wangiella
dermatitidis.'
From "Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A." site, the ofices of this
North Carolinian attorneys are about 100 miles from Greenville.
http://www.druginjurylaw.com/Drug-news.html
The same for the following story:
"MEDICAL ERRORS HAPPEN - Testimony By Bruce H. Stern, Esq., President,
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America-New Jersey -":
http://www.atlanj.org/atlapublic/Auto-MedMal-WrongfulDeath/MedicalErrors.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------
Malpractice attorneys in the Greenville, North Carolina area:
First of all read the following notice from "Law Offices of Thomas J.
Lamb, P.A." site:
"A Prescription Drug Injury or Death Can Be Medical Malpractice:
How to get legal compensation for a prescription drug adverse
reaction, a drug interaction, or a medication error in a medical
malpractice lawsuit"
http://www.druginjurylaw.com/medical-malpractice-lawsuits.html
Follows a list with links to attorneys in the requested area:
"The Blount Law Firm":
Post Office Drawer 58
400 West First Street
Greenville, NC 27835
Phone: 252.752.6000
Toll Free: 800.851.1818
Fax: 252.752.2174
http://www.theblountlawfirm.com/
"Edwards & Ricci, P.A.":
321 South Evans Street
Suite 101
Greenville, North Carolina 27835
Phone (252) 752-7785
Toll Free (800) 387-6406
Fax (252) 752-1016
E-mail: bmricci@earthlink.net
http://edwardsricci.lawoffice.com/
"The Melvin Law Firm, P.A."
610-A Lynndale Court
Greenville, NC 27858
Phone: (800) 391-8191
Fax: (252) 215-1234
baileymelvin@medscape.com
http://www.melvinfirm.com/
"Mills & Economos, LLP":
200 W. 3rd St.
Greenville, North Carolina 27835
Phone: (252) 752-6161
Fax: (252) 695-0107
Email: Leconomos@earthlink.net
http://www.leconomoslaw.com/
"Law Offices of Frank A. Cassiano, Jr"
This firm claims to be dedicated to the victims of truck crashes, but
one of its practice areas is Medical Malpractice.
310 South Pitt Street
Greenville, N. C. 27834
Post Office Box 7383
Greenville, N. C. 27835
Local Tel: (252)-752-1000
Toll Free: 1-800-588-1849
Fax No.: (252) 752-7860
E-Mail: FCassiano@aol.com
http://www.truckcrashattorneys.com/index.htm
The following links lead you to malpractice attorneys directories of
North Carolina State:
"NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY DIRECTORY":
http://www.medical-malpractice.us.com/northcarolina.html
"Greenville Medical Malpractice Attorney, Lawyer, Law Firm - Find
North Carolina NC Attorneys, Lawyers, Law Firms" from FindLaw.com:
http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/lawyer_dir/search/jsp/stdSearch_process.jsp?target=FIRM&state=NC&city=Greenville&practice=FL4203
"Medical Malpractice North Carolina":
http://www.malpracticelawyersmedical.com/nc/northcarolina.htm
From InjuryBoard.com:
"North Carolina Personal Injury Law Firms - Medical Malpractice":
http://firms.injuryboard.com/directory/index.jsp?state=NC&practice_area=60
From LawyerProfiles.com:
"Lawyer Profiles - U.S. and North Carolina lawyers law firms legal
directory Consultwebs.com Raleigh NC Attorneys":
See the Personal Injury section.
http://www.lawyerprofiles.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------
Search strategy:
Methylprednisolone
overdose methylprednisolone
overdose methylprednisolone "long-term"
corticosteroid malpractice lawsuit
corticosteroids malpractice overdose
Greenville, North Carolina attorney malpractice
------------------------------------------------------------
I hope this helps you and please feel free to ask for any
clarification needed before rate this answer.
Best regards.
livioflores-ga |
