and aspirin to patients with hypoprothrombinemia. Anticoagulants Anticoagulants exhibit variable interactions; monitoring coagulation indices is recommended to achieve the desired effect. Physical properties Oral methylprednisolone (Medrol) and its derivatives are a white, odorless crystalline powder. Its solubility ranges from practically insoluble in water, very slightly soluble in ether, slightly soluble in acetone and chloroform to sparingly soluble in alcohol, dioxane and methanol. Methylprednisolone acetate suspension (Depo-Medrol) is a 6-methyl derivative of prednisolone that melts at 215 degrees Celsius with some decomposition. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrol) is the sodium succinate ester of methylprednisolone. Contrary to the solubilities above, methylprednisolone sodium succinate is soluble in water and alcohol, slightly soluble in acetone and insoluble in chloroform Chemical properties Methylprednisolone, or 6α-methylprednisolone, also known as 11β,17,21-trihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, is a synthetic pregnane steroid and a derivative of hydrocortisone (11β,17α,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) and prednisolone (11β,17α,21-trihydroxypregn-1,4-diene-3,20-dione). A variety of methylprednisolone esters with differing characteristics exist and have been marketed for medical use. They include methylprednisolone aceponate (Advantan), methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol), methylprednisolone succinate (Solu-Medrol), and methylprednisolone suleptanate (Medrosol, Promedrol). Synthesis Synthetic steroids are synthesized from cholic acid and sapogenins obtained from cattle and plants, respectively. History, society and culture Methylprednisolone was first synthesized and manufactured by The Upjohn Company (now Pfizer) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in the United States on 2 October 1957. The patent has since expired, and generics are now available. In 2020, it was the 161st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3million prescriptions. Methylprednisolone has been a prescribed therapy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no evidence it is either safe or effective for this purpose. Research Methylprednisolone has been a prescribed therapy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no evidence it is either safe or effective for this purpose. References External links Alcohols Chemical substances for emergency medicine CYP3A4 inducers Glucocorticoids Ketones Pfizer brands Pregnanes Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate World Health Organization essential medicines