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How Long After Withdrawal From Medrol Will Immune System Get Back Normal?
Posted on
Wed, 7 Sep 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 7 Sep 2016
Answered on
Wed, 28 Sep 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
If someone is presçribed Medrol for one month like tappering dose. Like first week 20 mg, second week 16 mg. third week 12 mg, fourth week 08 mg and fifth week 4 mg and stop the dose. How far the immune system will be suppressed in body? Will it generate any antibodies against any viral/bacterial infection during that time? If not then, after stopping medrol how long will it take for immune system to produce antibodies against any viral/bacterial infections?
If someone is presçribed Medrol for one month like tappering dose. Like first week 20 mg, second week 16 mg. third week 12 mg, fourth week 08 mg and fifth week 4 mg and stop the dose. How far the immune system will be suppressed in body? Will it generate any antibodies against any viral/bacterial infection during that time? If not then, after stopping medrol how long will it take for immune system to produce antibodies against any viral/bacterial infections?
Brief Answer:
can still make antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is true that your immune system is somewhat suppressed when you are on a steroid taper but you would still be able to make antibodies, but to a lesser extent than normal. As the dose is tapered down there is less immunosuppression and the ability to respond to an infectious agent will improve as the dose is lowered.
Your body should be recovered and back to its normal ability to make antibodies after you have been off the steroids for two weeks.
Because of this and many other possible side effects of steroids we always recommend taking them only in extreme cases.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
can still make antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is true that your immune system is somewhat suppressed when you are on a steroid taper but you would still be able to make antibodies, but to a lesser extent than normal. As the dose is tapered down there is less immunosuppression and the ability to respond to an infectious agent will improve as the dose is lowered.
Your body should be recovered and back to its normal ability to make antibodies after you have been off the steroids for two weeks.
Because of this and many other possible side effects of steroids we always recommend taking them only in extreme cases.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Thanks for answering. If potential exposure of infection has happened suppose six months before taking steroids and when test is carried out during last week of steroids (8 mg per day) will that testing (helicobacter antibodies) still be reliable or do we need to do test again after two weeks.
Thanks for answering. If potential exposure of infection has happened suppose six months before taking steroids and when test is carried out during last week of steroids (8 mg per day) will that testing (helicobacter antibodies) still be reliable or do we need to do test again after two weeks.
Brief Answer:
would wait at least two weeks after being off steroids
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If it is possible I would wait at least two weeks after being off the steroids to get the test.
If it is not possible to postpone it, then here's how I would interpret it.
If it is positive then that is reliable and I would go ahead and treat it.
If you are having symptoms and the test is negative then I would repeat it after being off the steroids for at least 2 weeks
Dr. Robinson
would wait at least two weeks after being off steroids
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If it is possible I would wait at least two weeks after being off the steroids to get the test.
If it is not possible to postpone it, then here's how I would interpret it.
If it is positive then that is reliable and I would go ahead and treat it.
If you are having symptoms and the test is negative then I would repeat it after being off the steroids for at least 2 weeks
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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