METHYLPREDNISOLONE NORMON 40 mg POWDER AND SOLVENT FOR INJECTABLE SOLUTION

Introduction

Leaflet: information for the user

Methylprednisolone Normon 40 mg powder and solvent for injectable solution EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before starting to use this medication.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medication has been prescribed to you only and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.

• If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist even if they are side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet

1. What Methylprednisolone Normon is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before starting to use Methylprednisolone Normon
3. How to use Methylprednisolone Normon

1. Possible side effects
2. Storage of Methylprednisolone Normon
3. Package contents and additional information

1. What Methylprednisolone Normon is and what it is used for

Methylprednisolone belongs to a group of medications called corticosteroids (it acts at the cellular level by decreasing the production of substances that produce inflammation or allergy).

Due to its rapid onset of action, it is especially indicated in those cases that, due to their severity, require immediate acute treatment or when the administration of methylprednisolone tablets is not possible, including:

• Severe asthma attacks.
• Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) and clinical situations that may pose a risk to the patient's life, such as, for example, angioedema (generalized urticaria accompanied by inflammation of feet, hands, throat, lips, and respiratory tract) or laryngeal edema (swelling of the throat area due to fluid accumulation).
• In accidental poisonings, such as insect bites or snake bites, to prevent anaphylactic shock.
• Cerebral edema (brain inflammation due to fluid accumulation) and spinal cord injuries (provided that treatment is started within 8 hours after the injury occurred).
• Addisonian crisis (a disorder that affects the adrenal glands located just above each of the two kidneys and requires immediate medical treatment) and secondary shock due to adrenocortical insufficiency.
• Acute multiple sclerosis attacks.
• As an adjunct in chemotherapy.
• Treatment of acute organ transplant rejection.

2. What you need to know before starting to use Methylprednisolone Normon

Do not use Methylprednisolone Normon

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance, to other glucocorticoids, or to any of the other components of this medication (included in section 6),
• except in substitution or emergency treatments, you should not use Methylprednisolone Normon in the following cases:
• if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers,
• if you have severe bone demineralization (osteoporosis),
• if you have a history of psychiatric disorders, consult your doctor about the convenience of using this medication,
• if you have closed or open-angle glaucoma (eye disease),
• if you have herpetic keratitis (eye disease),
• if you have lymphadenopathy (inflammation of the lymph nodes) after tuberculosis vaccination,
• if you have an infection caused by amoebas (a type of infectious agent),
• if you have systemic mycosis (infection caused by fungi and disseminated throughout the body),
• in patients with poliomyelitis (spinal cord disease),
• if you have certain viral infections (such as chickenpox, herpes, or herpes zoster) (see "Warnings and precautions" section),
• if you have tuberculosis, or if you only suspect that you may have it,
• 8 weeks before vaccination and 2 weeks after vaccination.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use Methylprednisolone Normon:

• if you have or have recently had intestinal diseases due to the risk of intestinal perforation with peritonitis, such as severe ulcerative colitis (with risk of perforation, abscesses, or purulent inflammation), diverticulitis, and intestinal anastomoses,
• methylprednisolone may produce gases in the intestinal wall, a disease called intestinal neumatosis (frequency not known, see section 4 "Possible side effects" below). The course of intestinal neumatosis varies from a benign disease that does not require treatment to more severe diseases that may require immediate treatment. If you experience symptoms such as "nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain" that persist or become severe, you should consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide on the need for other diagnostic measures and treatment,
• if you have any infection, as it may decrease your body's defenses, leading to new infections or reactivating existing ones. In severe infections, methylprednisolone should only be used together with infection treatment,
• contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances,
• in patients treated with high-dose intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone, as cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest may be observed, even in patients without known cardiac anomalies,
• except for patients who have already had chickenpox, avoid contact with people who have, for example, chickenpox or herpes zoster. If you are exposed to these infections during treatment with methylprednisolone, you should contact a doctor immediately, even if you do not have any symptoms,
• if you are using methylprednisolone, it is recommended that you not be vaccinated,
• if you have tested positive for the tuberculin test (test to determine tuberculosis), you should inform your doctor,
• if you have myasthenia gravis, particularly if you are receiving high-dose glucocorticoid treatment, you should use a low dose of methylprednisolone at the start of treatment and gradually increase it,
• if you have hypothyroidism or liver cirrhosis. In both cases, relatively low doses may be sufficient, and dose reduction may be necessary. Your doctor will perform regular checks,
• treatment should not be interrupted abruptly, but rather gradually. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor (see section 4 "Possible side effects"),
• if you are diabetic, or have heart failure and very high blood pressure, your doctor will perform regular checks,
• in long-term treatments, ensure adequate potassium intake, limit sodium intake, and analyze blood potassium levels. Additionally, your doctor will perform regular checks to avoid eye complications,
• long-term treatment with corticosteroids may produce osteoporosis,
• in patients with suspected or diagnosed pheochromocytoma,
• if you have scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder) because daily doses of 12 mg or more may increase the risk of a serious complication called scleroderma renal crisis. The signs of a scleroderma renal crisis include increased blood pressure and decreased urine production. Your doctor may advise you to have your blood pressure and urine checked periodically,
• if you have kidney problems or high levels of uric acid in the blood before starting treatment with methylprednisolone,
• you should inform your doctor if you have any symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome, such as muscle cramps, muscle weakness, confusion, vision loss or disturbances, breathing difficulties, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or kidney failure (decreased or darkened urine), in case you have a malignant hematological neoplasm (see section 4 "Possible side effects"),
• methylprednisolone is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding,
• unless prescribed by a doctor, methylprednisolone should be avoided in children,
• in premature babies, echocardiograms should be performed to monitor heart condition and function,
• when administered to elderly patients, the doctor will monitor the patient regularly. Elderly patients should avoid prolonged treatment with this medication,
• the administration of methylprednisolone in cyclic IV injection (usually in an initial dose of ≥ 1 g/day) may cause drug-induced liver damage, such as acute hepatitis or increased liver enzymes. Rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported. The time of onset of these adverse reactions may be several weeks or more. In most reported cases, the adverse reactions resolved after treatment was discontinued. Therefore, adequate follow-up is required.
• if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness, muscle pain, cramps, and stiffness while using methylprednisolone. These may be symptoms of a disease called thyrotoxic periodic paralysis that can occur in patients with hyperthyroidism treated with methylprednisolone. You may need additional treatment to alleviate this condition.

Use in athletes

This medication contains methylprednisolone, which may produce a positive result in doping tests.

Other medications and Methylprednisolone Normon

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken other medications, including those purchased without a prescription.

Some medications may increase the effects of methylprednisolone, so your doctor will monitor you closely if you are taking these medications (including some for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).

Methylprednisolone may interfere with the following medications:

• Amphotericin B, clarithromycin, erythromycin (antibiotics).
• Cyclosporine.
• Coumarin derivatives: oral anticoagulants (such as Sintrom).
• Anticholinesterases (such as neostigmine, pyridostigmine, medications used for muscle spasms, to treat myasthenia gravis, and paralytic ileus).
• Antidiabetics.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin) and alcohol.
• Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.
• Diltiazem (medication used for heart problems).
• Certain diuretics (medications used to eliminate water).
• Estrogens (medications used for hormonal disorders), oral contraceptives.
• Cardiac glycosides (medications used to treat heart failure).
• Enzyme inducers:

• Carbamazepine, phenytoin, barbiturics, or primidone (medications used to treat epilepsy).
• Rifampicin, rifabutin (antibiotics).

• Enzyme inhibitors such as ketoconazole (used for fungal infections).
• Ion exchange resins (such as cholestyramine, colestipol, medications used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels).
• Salicylates.
• Theophylline (medication used for asthma and bronchial problems).
• Vaccines.

Interference with analytical tests

If you are going to have skin tests "Allergy tests", inform your doctor that you are using this medication, as it may alter the results.

Using Methylprednisolone Normon with food and beverages

You should avoid consuming large amounts of grapefruit juice, as it may interfere with methylprednisolone.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

Methylprednisolone, like most medications, should not be administered during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless your doctor considers it essential.

Only use methylprednisolone during the first trimester of pregnancy after consulting your doctor about the potential benefits and risks for you and the fetus of the different treatment options. This is because methylprednisolone may increase the risk of a baby being born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (openings or fissures in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth). If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor about using methylprednisolone.

Methylprednisolone passes into breast milk. If high doses of methylprednisolone are necessary, breastfeeding should be avoided.

Driving and using machines

During treatment with methylprednisolone, do not drive or operate tools or machines. Some side effects (visual disturbances, dizziness, headache) may alter your ability to concentrate and react.

Important information about some of the components of Methylprednisolone Normon

This medication contains less than 23 mg (1 mmol) of sodium per vial; this is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to use Methylprednisolone Normon

Follow your doctor's instructions for administering this medication exactly. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

This medication can be administered by intravenous or intramuscular injection.

The dose will be individualized for each patient and may be modified by your doctor depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's response. The recommended dose is 20 to 40 mg per day in adults and 8 to 16 mg per day in children.

In severe cases, where a sufficient therapeutic effect has not been achieved within half an hour, injections may be repeated, up to a maximum recommended dose of 80 mg. The intervals between injections will be 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the severity of the patient.

If you think the action of methylprednisolone is too strong or too weak, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

In life-threatening situations, it is recommended to start treatment with single doses of 250 to 1000 mg of methylprednisolone in adults and 4 to 20 mg/kg of body weight in children. For this, you may need to use other commercial presentations with methylprednisolone as the active ingredient.

The following are the recommended doses according to the different indications:

Acute asthma exacerbations: 30 to 90 mg per day. In status asthmaticus, 250 to 500 mg of methylprednisolone is recommended.

Anaphylactic shock and life-threatening situations: 250 to 500 mg of methylprednisolone.

Cerebral edema: 250 to 500 mg of methylprednisolone.

Addisonian crises: 16 to 32 mg in perfusion, followed by another 16 mg over 24 hours. In these crises and in Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, simultaneous administration of mineralocorticoids is indicated.

Acute multiple sclerosis attacks: usually 1 g per day intravenously, for 3 to 5 days.

Rejection crises: up to 30 mg of methylprednisolone per kilogram of body weight.

In cases of cerebral edema, status asthmaticus, and immunological crises, it is recommended to continue treatment with oral presentations of methylprednisolone at gradually decreasing doses.

Methylprednisolone is used in addition to basic therapy (e.g., replacement of circulating fluid volume, heart and circulation treatment, administration of antibodies, analgesia, etc.).

Prolonged treatment with methylprednisolone, particularly with relatively high doses, should not be interrupted abruptly, but rather gradually (and if necessary, under additional treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH).

If you use more Methylprednisolone Normon than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested or administered. It is recommended to bring the leaflet and the package to the healthcare professional.

Overdose may cause anxiety, depression, mental confusion, spasms, or gastrointestinal bleeding, increased glucose levels (hyperglycemia), elevated blood pressure (arterial hypertension), and edema.

If you forget to use Methylprednisolone Normon

Do not use a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you interrupt treatment with Methylprednisolone Normon

Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

After prolonged use of methylprednisolone, if you need to interrupt your treatment, follow your doctor's advice. Your doctor may indicate that you reduce the amount of medication you are taking gradually until you stop taking it completely.

Abrupt interruption of treatment may cause:

• Corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome (see section 4).
• Adrenocortical insufficiency (low cortisol levels).
• There may be a recurrence (return) of the underlying condition being treated.

If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Adverse Effects

Like all medicines, Metilprednisolona Normon can cause adverse effects, although not all people experience them.

The following frequency definitions have been used for classification:

Very frequent: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

Frequent: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data

The following adverse effects have been observed during treatment with Metilprednisolona Normon:

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders

Frequent:Abnormal fat distribution, obesity, increased blood sugar levels, changes in blood fat levels (such as cholesterol or triglycerides), absence of menstrual period, excessive hair growth, weight gain.

Rare:Impotence, problems with the adrenal cortex (glands located above the kidneys that produce hormones), growth retardation in children, increased protein metabolism, elevated urea levels.

Very rare:Reversible fat accumulation in the epidural canal or thoracic cavity.

Frequency not known:Accumulation of fatty tissue in localized areas of the body. Cases of tumor lysis syndrome have been reported in patients with malignant hematological neoplasms. Tumor lysis syndrome may be revealed by changes in blood tests such as increased levels of uric acid, potassium, or phosphorus, and decreased calcium levels, and may cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, muscle weakness, confusion, vision loss or changes, breathing difficulties, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or kidney failure (decreased urine output or dark urine). If you experience such symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately (see "Warnings and Precautions" section).

Cardiac Disorders

Frequency not known:Cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) in premature infants, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest related to high-dose intravenous pulse therapy.

Vascular Disorders

Frequent:Sodium and water retention, increased potassium excretion, and possibly hypokalemia.

In patients with heart failure, pulmonary congestion may increase, and hypertension may develop.

Vascular disorders, including vasculitis (allergic inflammation of blood vessels), increased intracranial pressure with optic nerve inflammation.

Frequency not known:Increased blood clots.

Other effects include a tendency to increase platelet count (thrombocytosis) and increased risk of thrombosis.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Frequent:Skin alterations (atrophy, striae, acne, purpura, petechiae)

Rare:Allergic reactions (skin rash), including anaphylaxis in rare cases after parenteral administration, especially in patients with bronchial asthma or after kidney transplantation.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

Frequent:Delayed wound healing.

Frequency not known:Elevated white blood cell count, thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count).

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders

Frequent:Osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures in severe cases.

Rare:Reversible muscle weakness. In patients with myasthenia gravis, it may cause reversible worsening of weakness, which could lead to a myasthenic crisis.

Also, a severe muscle disease (acute myopathy) due to the concomitant administration of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.

Very rare:Death of bone tissue in the head of the femur or humerus, tendon rupture (in people with a previous tendon injury, diabetes, or high blood uric acid levels)

When methylprednisolone is administered at very high doses for a long time, muscle disorders may occur.

Renal and Urinary Disorders:

Frequency not known:Scleroderma renal crisis in patients with pre-existing scleroderma (an autoimmune disorder). Signs of a scleroderma renal crisis include increased blood pressure and decreased urine production.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Rare:Gastric or duodenal ulcers, and if they perforate, peritonitis (severe gastrointestinal infection), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), or abdominal discomfort.

Frequency not known:Gas in the intestinal wall (intestinal pneumatosis).

Hepatobiliary Disorders

Frequency not known:Methylprednisolone may damage your liver; cases of hepatitis and increased liver enzymes, cholestasis, and cellular damage, including acute liver failure (see "Warnings and Precautions" section), have been reported.

Endocrine Disorders

Frequency not known:Pheochromocytoma crisis (see "Warnings and Precautions" section).

The following adverse effects have been observed after sudden withdrawal of methylprednisolone after prolonged use, although not everyone experiences them:

• Symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, restlessness, joint pain, skin peeling, low blood pressure, and weight loss (corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome).

Ocular Disorders

Rare:Eye injuries: cataracts, increased eye pressure, glaucoma (eye disease that can cause vision loss)

Frequency not known:Retinal and choroidal disease, blurred vision.

Immune System Disorders

Uncommon:Decreased immune system function and increased risk of infection. If you have a viral disease such as chickenpox, herpes simplex, or herpes zoster, your condition may worsen, sometimes with serious risk to your health.

Nervous System Disorders

Rare:Seizures.

Frequency not known:Dizziness, headache, and sleep disturbances.

Psychiatric Disorders

Rare:Development or worsening of pre-existing psychiatric problems (euphoria, mood changes, personality changes, depression, psychosis).

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

Atrophy of the skin may occur when injected into fatty tissue.

If treatment with methylprednisolone is withdrawn rapidly (not gradually) after long-term treatment, muscle pain, joint pain, breathing problems, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, low blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, and even death due to acute adrenocortical insufficiency may occur (see "Warnings and Precautions" section).

Reporting of Adverse Effects

If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Metilprednisolona Normon

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

No special storage conditions are required.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date stated on the packaging after "EXP". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Once the solution is reconstituted, it should be used immediately.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Place the packaging and any unused medicines in the pharmacy's SIGRE collection point. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Metilprednisolona Normon 40 mg powder and solvent for injectable solution EFG:

• The active ingredient is methylprednisolone. Each vial contains 40 mg of methylprednisolone (as methylprednisolone sodium succinate).
• The other ingredients are: sodium hydroxide, disodium phosphate, sodium phosphate monohydrate. The solvent ampoule contains 1 ml of water for injectable preparations.

Appearance and Package Contents:

Metilprednisolona Normon 40 mg is presented as a powder and solvent for injectable solution. The vial contains a white or almost white lyophilized powder, and the ampoule contains a colorless and transparent liquid. Each package contains 1 vial and 1 ampoule.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer:

LABORATORIOS NORMON, S.A.

Ronda de Valdecarrizo, 6 – 28760 Tres Cantos – Madrid, Spain

This information is intended only for healthcare professionals

This medicine can be administered via intravenous or intramuscular injection.

Intravenous injection should be administered slowly (each vial in 1 or 2 minutes).

Your doctor or nurse will dissolve the contents of a Metilprednisolona Normon vial in 1 ml of water for injectable preparations, contained in the solvent ampoule.

Concomitant administration of reconstituted methylprednisolone solutions with other medicines in the same syringe should be avoided, as precipitation may occur. Mixing with infusion solutions may also cause the solution to become cloudy or form precipitates.

Prepared injection solutions should be used as soon as possible.

Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:October 2024

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/