Steroids (Methylprednisolone, Prednisone, Prednisolone, Solumedrol, Dexamethasone)

A type of medication typically given intraveneously or orally. For myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD)Often referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease   it is used as an immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory to reduce disease activity and inflammationA process of the immune system that involves chemicals released by immune cells (i.e. white blood cells) inducing localized heat, swelling, redness, and pain to an area that occurs when tissue becomes damaged or infected from a pathogen, and usually results in the desctruction and removal of the pathogen and/or healing to the tissue. In the case of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD), inflammation is the result of the incorrect targeting of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) by the immune system, resulting in damage to myelin sheaths..
In adults, it is sometimes used in high doses for acuteThe severe and sudden onset of a disease process. attacks. In some adult patients, it may be used for 1-2 months after an acuteThe severe and sudden onset of a disease process. attack to avoid a rapid onset of relapseWhen you present to your doctor or hospital with new or worsening central nervous system symptoms. Generally, if your symptoms gradually worsen over 24-48 hours, there is heightened concern of a relapse. (Also referred to as a flare by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproten antibody disease (MOGAD) community).. Higher doses (>10mg/day) are not recommended for an extended period of time but lower doses (<=10mg/day) may be used in some patients longer term. In children, it may be used after treatment of an acuteThe severe and sudden onset of a disease process. attack, but it is not recommended long-term due to the profound effects of chronic steroids onInflammation of the optic nerve that may be classified as unilateral (affecting one eye) or bilateral (affecting both eyes) that may result in vision changes, vision loss, and/or pain with eye movement. a child’s health. Use of oral prednisone as a maintenance therapy in relapsing pediatric MOGADOften referred to as MOGAD, Anti-MOG, MOG Ab+, MOG Antibody Disease, MOG Associated Antibody Disease, MOG positive disease   patients is discouraged due to side effects in developing children, and other therapies such as monthly immune globulin are suggested.
(To understand relapsing during steroid tapering, see Steroid DependencyMay occur for MOGAD patients when tapering to a lower dose of steroids causing recurrance of symptoms and may cause a relapse of new disease activity.)