How to Remove a Tick - Barf
Depo-Medrol
methylprednisolone acetate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leafletPlease read this leaflet carefully before being treated with DEPO-MEDROL suspension for injection. This leaflet answers some common questions about DEPO-MEDROL. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being treated with DEPO-MEDROL against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Consider keeping this leaflet even after treatment with DEPO-MEDROL is finished. You may need to read it again.
What DEPO-MEDROL is used forDEPO-MEDROL is used to treat disorders of many organ systems such as skin, lung, eye, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, joints and blood. DEPO-MEDROL works by reducing inflammation and changing the body's natural ability to respond when the immune response is not working properly. It is also used in certain conditions where the adrenal gland doesn't function correctly.
Your doctor may have prescribed DEPO-MEDROL for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why DEPO-MEDROL has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before treatment with DEPO-MEDROLSome information is provided below. However, always talk to your doctor if you have concerns or questions about your treatment.
When DEPO-MEDROL must not be usedDEPO-MEDROL must not be used:
1. If you have an allergy to:
methylprednisolone acetate
any of the other ingredients listed under Product Description at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or difficulty in breathing.
2. If you have a severe fungal infection
3. It must not be injected into the spinal cord (intrathecal or epidural) or into a vein (intravenous)
4. It must not be given by any other unapproved route of administration
5. If you have been given a vaccine
6. If the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
7. After the expiry date (EXP) printed on the carton.
If you use it after the expiry date, it may have no effect at all, or an entirely unexpected effect.
If you are not sure whether you should be treated with DEPO-MEDROL, talk to your doctor.
Before treatment with DEPO-MEDROLBefore treatment with DEPO-MEDROL, tell your doctor if:
1. You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using DEPO-MEDROL during pregnancy.
2. You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using DEPO-MEDROL when breastfeeding.
3. You have allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
4. You have or have had any of the following:
tuberculosis
underactive thyroid gland
kidney or liver disease
herpes in the eye
hypoprothrombinaemia (a blood clotting disorder)
disease of the bowel, e.G., ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis
stomach ulcers
diabetes
emotional problems or mental disorder
any pus-producing infection
problems with your heart, including high blood pressure or congestive heart failure
Cushing's disease (a hormone disorder)
seizure disorders e.G. Epilepsy
myasthenia gravis (ongoing muscle weakness and chronic fatigue)
thin or weak bones, or bones that tend to break easily (osteoporosis)
recent head injuries
blood clots
systemic sclerosis
a solid cancer or cancer of the blood because you may be at risk of a very rare, potentially life-threatening condition resulting from a sudden breakdown of tumour cells.
ChildrenLong term treatment with corticosteroids can affect growth and development in children. It can also increase the risk of high pressure in the brain. Your doctor will monitor your child closely if your child needs long term treatment with DEPO-MEDROL.
ElderlyIf you are over 65 years old, you may have an increased chance of side effects such as bone weakness possibly leading to fractures. You may also experience fluid retention which may lead to increased blood pressure.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, do so before you are treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
Taking other medicinesTell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines or food and DEPO-MEDROL may interfere with each other. Some of these medicines and food include:
cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus (medicines used to suppress the immune system e.G. After a transplant)
isoniazid (a medicine to treat tuberculosis)
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID] such as salicylates or aspirin (medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation including arthritis)
some antifungals e.G. Ketoconazole, itraconazole
some antibiotics e.G. Rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin
phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine (medicines used to treat epilepsy, convulsions)
anticoagulants e.G. Warfarin, heparin
some immunisations, inoculations or vaccinations
some diuretics e.G. Frusemide, a medicine to help kidneys get rid of salt and water by increasing the amount of urine produced
neuromuscular blocking drugs (medicines that block nerve and muscle action) e.G. Pancuronium
medicines used to treat myasthenia gravis (ongoing muscle weakness and chronic fatigue), glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease
medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders
medicines used to treat anxiety
bronchodilators (a type of medicine that opens up the airways in the lungs) used to treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases, e.G., salbutamol
medicines used to treat diabetes e.G. Insulin, glibenclamide and metformin
anti-nausea medicines e.G. Aprepitant, fosaprepitant
medicines to treat HIV e.G. Indinavir, ritonavir
some medicines to treat blood pressure, heart conditions and stroke, e.G., digoxin and diltiazem
oral contraceptives e.G. Ethinylestradiol, norethisterone
grapefruit juice
medicines used to treat breast cancer and hormone disorders.
These medicines and food may be affected by DEPO-MEDROL or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful with or avoid while being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
Treatment with DEPO-MEDROLThis medicine will be administered under medical supervision.
It may be given into a muscle (intramuscularly) or into a joint (intra-articularly) or into a lesion (intralesional). Due to the risk of serious side effects, it must not be injected into the spinal cord (intrathecally or epidural) or into a vein (intravenously).
How and where DEPO-MEDROL is injected and the dose given will depend on the nature and the severity of your condition. You will be given a different dosage depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine.
If you are given too much (overdose)Overdose is unlikely with DEPO-MEDROL. However, repeated frequent doses over a long period of time may cause an increase in side effects.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have been given too much DEPO-MEDROL. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep the telephone numbers for these services handy. Have the DEPO-MEDROL box or this leaflet available to give details if needed.
While you are being treated with it Things you must do
If you become pregnant while you are being treated with DEPO-MEDROL, tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
Tell your doctor that you are being treated with DEPO-MEDROL:
before having any skin tests
before having any kind of surgery
if you get a serious injury or infection.
Medicines such as DEPO-MEDROL can increase the risk of infection and mask symptoms of infection.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
fever
tiredness
sore or swollen joints.
Your doctor may request you follow a low-salt diet and/or take potassium supplements.
If you are a diabetic, your need for insulin or glucose lowering medicines may increase while being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
For patients having this medicine injected into their joints:
be careful not to put too much stress onto that joint for a while
ask your doctor how much you can move this joint while it is healing.
Your doctor may reduce the dose of DEPO-MEDROL gradually if you have been on long-term treatment.
Side effectsCheck with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any concerns while being treated with DEPO-MEDROL, even if you do not think the concerns are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, DEPO-MEDROL can cause side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and it worries you:
nausea
vomiting
headache or dizziness
lightheadedness
forgetfulness
sleeplessness
mood changes e.G. Over-excitement, depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, anxiety
changes to menstrual periods
fluid retention
muscle weakness, pain or loss of muscle mass
problems with your joints, including pain
problems with your growth
thin fragile skin or bruising
itchy or peeling skin
increased sweating
facial flushing/redness, heat
changes to skin at the injection site
injection site pain
rashes, acne, hives
diarrhoea or constipation
heartburn
increased appetite
loss of appetite or weight loss
persistent hiccups
tiredness.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following
bone weakness (can lead to fractures)
wounds that will not heal
loss in the control of your diabetes
red, purple or brown patches on your skin
problems with your back, including pain or weakness
loss of sensation or problems with your reflexes (slow or too fast)
bouts of anxiety and headaches, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, a feeling of weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dilated pupils and blurring vision, stomach pains, and raised blood pressure. These could be symptoms of a rare tumour of the adrenal gland, which sits near the kidney.
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following symptoms:
signs of increased pressure in the skull, including drowsiness, vomiting, headache, weakness, numbness and /or eye problems such as double vision
allergic type reactions e.G. Skin rash, itching and difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing, chest pain (anaphylactic reaction)
signs of infection such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
severe stomach pains
blurred or distorted vision or loss of vision, eye infections
breathlessness, fatigue and swelling (heart failure)
convulsions or fits
passing large amounts of urine, increased thirst and appetite
pain and tenderness in the leg, pain on extending the foot, swelling of the lower leg, ankle and foot
chest pain and breathlessness.
DEPO-MEDROL can also cause chemical imbalances in the blood, swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis), masking of infections, increased risk of infection, hormone changes, metabolic changes and changes in liver enzymes, increased blood pressure, increased number of white blood cells (leucocytosis), or cataracts. Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests to check on your progress.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Some people may get other side effects while being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
It is very important to tell your doctor if you notice any side effects while being treated with DEPO-MEDROL.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
After treatment with DEPO-MEDROL Storage
DEPO-MEDROL will normally be stored in a hospital or doctor's surgery. It should be stored in its original packaging in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. It must not be frozen.
Product Description What it looks like
DEPO-MEDROL is a suspension for injection packaged in a glass vial. It is supplied in cartons of 5 x 1 mL or 1 x 1 mL vials.
IngredientsThe active ingredient in DEPO-MEDROL is methylprednisolone acetate. Each vial contains 40 mg of methylprednisolone acetate.
DEPO-MEDROL also contains macrogol 3350, sodium chloride and miripirium chloride.
IdentificationDEPO-MEDROL can be identified by the Australian Register Number, AUST R 12299, which is found on the carton label.
SupplierDEPO-MEDROL is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll free number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was revised in January 2024.
®Registered trademark
What To Know About Heartworm In Cats
Most dog owners are familiar with the risk of heartworm to their pets. Dogs are the primary host of this dangerous parasite and the most likely to get sick from them, but they aren't the only animals at risk. Cats can also get heartworm infections, as can ferrets and wild animals such as coyotes, foxes, and wolves. Very rarely, humans get heartworms.
Heartworm develops differently in cats than in dogs. Cats may not show symptoms for a long time after being infected. When they do, they typically develop a condition called heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD).
The only way that animals contract heartworm is through mosquito bites. The bloodsucking insects acquire the immature form of the parasites from biting an infected animal, like a dog, fox, or coyote. Once the worms are in the mosquito, they mature over the next 10 to 14 days. If a mosquito bites another animal at that point, the heartworms travel through the mosquito's proboscis (the part of their mouth that pierces the skin) and into the other creature's body.
Once the heartworms are in your cat's body, they begin to grow and mature. It usually takes 6 to 8 months for the worms to get to full size, which can be as much as a foot long. The worms can live for years inside an animal, and they can cause significant health problems, and even more, after reaching their full size.
Cats that spend time outdoors have an increased risk of encountering a mosquito that can pass along heartworm. Even indoor cats are at risk for exposure to the illness. Mosquitos can get inside homes and bite pets and humans.
Heartworm is not contagious. Animals cannot pass heartworm to each other through regular contact. They don't shed the parasites in their waste, so a cat's litter box isn't a danger to other animals or people.
As their name suggests, heartworms affect a cat's heart as well as their blood vessels. The parasites make their way through the skin first, then penetrate muscles before migrating into the blood vessels. Once they are in the circulatory system, heartworms travel into the heart and lungs.
Even before heartworms get into a cat's heart itself, they can cause severe damage. The worms are large enough to block blood vessels. The cat's heart has to work harder to move blood through their body. The cat's natural immune reaction to a foreign substance in the body can cause an inflammatory response, though, and sometimes, the immune response is strong enough to get rid of the heartworm infection altogether.
Lung problems are a further risk for cats with heartworms. They may develop heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD). The symptoms of this condition may be similar to asthma or other respiratory problems in cats. In addition, your cat may develop fluid in their lungs and abdominal cavity. The swelling and excess fluid can cause additional breathing problems.
The symptoms of heartworm in cats include:
Some cats also experience difficulty moving, seizures, or fainting.
Heartworm in dogs is treatable, but that is not the case for cats. There is no heartworm medicine for cats. The medications that work for dogs are not safe for cats due to differences in size and biology. Some cats, though, do spontaneously recover from heartworm infection.
If your cat has heartworms, you should discuss your options with your vet. If your cat isn't showing symptoms, your vet may suggest nothing more than periodic testing. If your cat is ill, the vet might offer supportive care such as IV fluid, medication to relieve respiratory symptoms, or antibiotics.
Some experts recommend that cats should be tested for heartworm once a year. Early detection allows you and your vet to keep a close eye on your cat and treat any symptoms if they develop. In addition to testing, cats should be taking heartworm preventive medicine.
There are very effective heartworm preventives for cats. These medicines kill any larval heartworms before they can mature and cause damage to your cat's blood vessels. It is important to give your cat the medicine on schedule. Delaying a dose gives parasites time to mature. The preventive medications are not effective on mature heartworms.
Most veterinarians recommend medicines such as selamectin, milbemycin, and ivermectin. You can discuss the best method of heartworm prevention with your vet. Many pet owners give their companions monthly pills to prevent heartworm or topical treatments. Ask your vet what they recommend for your pet.
What Is Hyperesthesia In Cats?
Feline hyperesthesia is a condition in which your cat has increased sensitivity in parts of their skin. Your cat may react when you try to pet this area.
The word hyperesthesia means increased sensitivity. When you pet your cat, they will react as if in pain. Their skin may even twitch when touched.
Hyperesthesia in cats is also known by other names, such as:
Hyperesthesia syndrome tends to be found in younger cats between ages 1 and 5. Any breed of cat can get hyperesthesia, but it's more common in Oriental breeds like:
The exact cause of hyperesthesia syndrome in cats is unknown. It's been linked to various conditions such as:
Some experts say that it may be a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder, while others say that it may be related to seizures.
When you pet your cat, they may react in different ways:
In severe cases, cats with this syndrome may damage or mutilate their own tail.
These behaviors can appear for no obvious reason, and your cat may look confused afterwards. The episodes may take place every few days or almost every day. They may last a few seconds or a few minutes.
Your vet may first try to rule out other possible causes for your cat's behavior. They may look for other sources of pain in the area. This includes arthritis of the spine and skin problems like allergies and parasites.
Since the tail is often the site of self-mutilation, your vet may also check for injuries such as old tail fractures that may be the cause of nerve or muscle spasms.
Other possible tests include:
Most cats' hyperesthesia can be managed with treatment, though they may not be completely cured. Treatment should help to stop the self-mutilation, reduce discomfort, and improve quality of life. The type of treatment depends on the symptoms your cat has.
Manage itching. Itching often leads to grooming, which may turn into overgrooming or even self-mutilation. To control itching, make sure there are no fleas in your cat's surroundings.
Medications like corticosteroids can be used for skin inflammation. To decrease skin sensitivity, your vet may recommend adding omega-3 fatty acid supplements to your cat's diet.
Seizures. If your cat has seizures, your vet may prescribe medication such as phenobarbital or gabapentin. Gabapentin not only helps with seizures but also is effective for managing pain caused by nerves that are oversensitive.
Compulsive grooming. Toys or other objects of stimulation may help distract your cat during a compulsive grooming episode. Your vet may also prescribe medications that modify behavior, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine.
Manage anxiety. Experts say that stress and anxiety may increase your cat's hyperesthesia reaction. Besides behavior-modifying medications, you may also want to establish routines to help minimize stress in your cat's life.
Some ways you can help reduce your cat's anxiety include:
Cats with feline hyperesthesia can't control their actions, so don't punish them for their behavior.
Boredom can also stress your cat. You can try to create a more stimulating environment in these ways:
Some cats may need a combination of different treatments to reduce their hyperesthesia.
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