Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Depo-Medrol (METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE)

Depo-Medrol works by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, which then regulates the expression of genes involved in inflammation and immune response.

Depo-Medrol, also known as methylprednisolone acetate, is a corticosteroid medication developed by Pharmacia and Upjohn and currently owned by Pfizer. It targets the glucocorticoid receptor and is used to treat various conditions such as adrenal cortical hypofunction, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Depo-Medrol is a small molecule corticosteroid that has been FDA-approved since 1959 and is now available as a generic medication. It is off-patent and has multiple generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include the potential for long-term side effects and interactions with other medications.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Think of it like a key that unlocks a lock on a door. The glucocorticoid receptor is like the lock, and Depo-Medrol is the key. When the key is inserted, it changes the way the lock works, which in turn affects how the body responds to inflammation and immune signals.

Approved indications

• Adrenal cortical hypofunction
• Atopic dermatitis
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Contact dermatitis
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Erythema multiforme
• Exfoliative Erythroderma
• Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
• Mycosis fungoides
• Pemphigus
• Perennial allergic rhinitis
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Transfusion Reaction Urticaria
• Transfusion reaction due to serum protein reaction

Boxed warnings

• WARNING: RISK OF CARDIAC ARREST WITH USE OF BUPIVACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION IN OBSTETRICAL ANESTHESIA There have been reports of cardiac arrest with difficult resuscitation or death during use of Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection for epidural anesthesia in obstetrical patients. In most cases, this has followed use of the 0.75% (7.5 mg/mL) concentration. Resuscitation has been difficult or impossible despite apparently adequate preparation and appropriate management. Cardiac arrest has occurred after convulsions resulting from systemic toxicity, presumably following unintentional intravascular injection. The 0.75% (7.5 mg/mL) concentration of Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia and should be reserved for surgical procedures where a high degree of muscle relaxation and prolonged effect are necessary [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: RISK OF CARDIAC ARREST WITH USE OF BUPIVACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION IN OBSTETRICAL ANESTHESIA See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. There have been reports of cardiac arrest with difficult resuscitation or death during use of Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection for epidural anesthesia in obstetrical patients. In most cases, this has followed use of the 0.75% (7.5 mg/mL) concentration. Resuscitation has been difficult or impossible despite apparently adequate preparation and appropriate management. Cardiac arrest has occurred after convulsions resulting from systemic toxicity, presumably following unintentional intravascular injection. The 0.75% (7.5 mg/mL) concentration of Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia and should be reserved for surgical procedures where a high degree of muscle relaxation and prolonged effect are necessary ( 5.1 ).

Common side effects

• Skin atrophy
• Miliaria
• Striae
• Secondary infection
• Maceration of the skin
• Allergic contract dermatitis
• Perioral dermatitis
• Hypopigmentation
• Acneiform eruptions
• Hypertrichosis
• Folliculitis
• Dryness

Drug interactions

• Local Anesthetics
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants
• Ergot-Type Oxytocic Drugs
• Nonselective Beta-Adrenergic Antagonists
• Drugs Associated with Methemoglobinemia (e.g., nitrates, nitrites, local anesthetics, antineoplastic agents, antibiotics, antimalarials, anticonvulsants)
• Potent Inhalation Anesthetics

Key clinical trials

• A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of a Higher Dose of Ocrelizumab in Adults With Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) (PHASE3)
• Treatment of Familiar Lymphohistiocytosis (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• A Study to Investigate Blinatumomab in Combination With Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE3)
• A Study to Compare Standard Therapy to Treat Hodgkin Lymphoma to the Use of Two Drugs, Brentuximab Vedotin and Nivolumab (PHASE3)
• Nivolumab in Combination With Chemo-Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PHASE3)
• Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE2)
• Brentuximab Vedotin and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Children and Young Adults With Stage IIB, Stage IIIB, IVA, or IVB Hodgkin Lymphoma (PHASE3)
• A Study Testing the Combination of Dasatinib or Imatinib to Chemotherapy Treatment With Blinatumomab for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) or ABL-Class Philadelphia Chromosome-Like (Ph-Like) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) (PHASE2)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Depo-Medrol CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Depo-Medrol updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Pfizer portfolio CI