Does methylprednisolone help with COVID?
Methylprednisolone can help with COVID according to a 2022 systematic review of 33 studies that reported the use of methylprednisolone was associated with:
- Fewer deaths in the short-term (relative risk [RR] 0.73 which means patients given methylprednisolone were 0.73 times less likely to die within 28 days than those not given methylprednisolone)
- A decrease in the likelihood of being admitted to ICU (RR 0.77)
- A decrease in the need for mechanical ventilation (RR 0.69)
- More ventilator-free days within 28 days (mean difference [MD] 2.81)
- No significant increase in the risk of secondary infections (RR 1.04).
Use of higher dose methylprednisolone was associated with a possible prolongation in the duration of viral shedding, but this was not seen with lower dose methylprednisolone (≤ 2 mg/kg/day for ≤7 days).
References
- Hong, S., Wang, H., Zhang, Z., & Qiao, L. (2022). The roles of methylprednisolone treatment in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Steroids, 183, 109022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109022
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Drug information
- Methylprednisolone Information for Consumers
- Methylprednisolone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Methylprednisolone (detailed)
Related support groups
- Methylprednisolone (79 questions, 151 members)
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