The bioavailability of IV methylprednisolone and oral prednisone in multiple sclerosis

Neurology. 2004 Sep 28;63(6):1079-80. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000138572.82125.f5.

Abstract

Oral prednisone (1)might be a convenient, inexpensive alternative to IV methylprednisolone (IVMP) if the bioequivalent dose was known. We compared the total amount of steroid absorbed after 1250 mg oral prednisone vs 1 gram IVMP in 16 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). At 24 hours, the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), the main component of bioavailability, did not differ between groups (p = 0.122). This suggests that the amount of absorbed corticosteroid is similar after either steroid at these doses.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Area Under Curve
  • Biological Availability
  • Biotransformation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / blood
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / pharmacokinetics*
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / metabolism
  • Prednisolone / blood
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / blood
  • Prednisone / pharmacokinetics*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate
  • Prednisolone
  • Prednisone
  • Methylprednisolone