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Corticosteroid (Intra-articular)

Methylprednisolone Acetate 40–80mg (Depo-Medrone)

Brand names: Depo-Medrone

Methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrone) is a long-acting depot corticosteroid given by intra-articular or soft-tissue injection to reduce inflammation in arthritic joints and periarticular conditions.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

As a glucocorticoid it binds intracellular receptors to suppress local inflammatory mediator production and immune cell activity; the acetate ester provides a poorly soluble depot for prolonged local action.

Prescribing in practice

  • Never inject into a joint that may be infected (septic arthritis), as intra-articular corticosteroid can worsen infection and obscure its signs.
  • Use strict aseptic technique and limit repeated injections into the same joint to avoid cartilage damage and tendon weakening.
  • Systemic absorption can cause a transient blood glucose rise and HPA-axis effects, relevant in diabetic and immunosuppressed patients.

Monitoring

Review the joint after injection for response and signs of post-injection flare or infection, and monitor glucose in diabetic patients.

Counselling the patient

  • A short-lived flare of pain in the first day or two can occur before benefit is felt.
  • Seek urgent review if the joint becomes hot, increasingly swollen, or you develop a fever.
  • Diabetic patients should monitor blood glucose, which may rise temporarily.

Evidence & guidelines

Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is an established option for inflammatory and osteoarthritic joint pain in UK rheumatology and orthopaedic practice.

Reference: NICE NG226 (Osteoarthritis); BSR Guidelines for Intra-articular Injections; BSMS Joint Injection Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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