My almost 12 year old son is suffering terribly from allergies,need help with a Depo Medrol question Please!?

Question

Over the counter stuff isn't really cutting it. Has anyone ever heard of using Depo Medrol in a 12 year old? I know it's too late to get allergy shots, and he is very allergic to trees and grass. I work in the medical field, but have never heard of them using it in kids. Anyone? He really needs some help, other than relying on all the astma meds all the time!

Answer 1

Sure, it's just methylpredinsolone, a corticosteroid. It's going to help with the inflammation and normal immune response to help slow down the gunk that comes with the ever so fun allergy process. I was put on prednisone (another type of corticosteroid) all the time when I was little, and even a few months ago, for the same thing.

Also, in the Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses it gives dosages for children, so it is something that is done regularly. "PO (Children ): Anti-inflammatory/Immunosuppressive-- 0.5-1.7 mgkg/day or 5-25 mg/m2/day in divided doses q 6-12 hr. Asthma exacerbations--1 mg/kg q 6 hr for 48 hr, then 1-2 mg/kg/day (maximum: 60 mg/day) divided twice daily"

So no worries, it should help him get back to normal shortly. Oh, but if your son is anything like me, have fun when it comes to bed time...my mom used to hate it when the doctor sent her home with the stuff for me, she said I was bouncing off the walls. To this day I still don't get a lot of sleep when I take it, but my house gets very very clean =).

And too late for allergy shots? I was under the impression that it's never too late...at least not with my doctor...?

Answer 2

Cortisone or prednisone is sometimes given to children, but its not a good idea unless nothing else works. I'm not sure what form of prednisone is used--Depo Medrol or something else? Most likely, a child would he given something like a 2-3 week course of an oral prednisone.

Answer 3

Ive heard of them using it in kids with bad sinuses...but they have to be a certain age and you can't just use any type of steroid. The wrong one could affect their growth.