Side Effects of Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy in Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disease with different types and symptoms. The most common type of MS is the relapsing-remitting MS whose relapses are treated using methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Our study was a descriptive study on 64 patients with MS who were selected based on McDonald criteria. The patients received methylprednisolone pulse therapy at Kashani Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). After treatment, we monitored the patients for 3 months. The required information was collected by history taking, physical examination, and filling a questionnaire. The type and percentage of minor and major side effects were specified. The major side effects were arrhythmia in 8 patients, hypertension in 3 patients, and aseptic necrosis in 1 patient. The minor side effects were palpitation in 47% of the patients, dyspepsia in 34%, and insomnia in 33%. The results of our study showed a direct relation between the type and severity of the side effects and the frequency of pulse therapy and the dosage of methylprednisolone. On the other hand, our study failed to establish relations between the type and severity of side effects and age, sex, and body mass index of the patients.