Methylprednisolone typically begins to work within 1 hour when given intravenously, and peak effects from oral administration occur within 1 to 2 hours. For intra-articular injections, the onset of action may take about 1 week. Patients may start noticing improvement from methylprednisolone for conditions like allergies or acute inflammation within hours to a few days, but for chronic conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, it may take several days to weeks to observe significant effects. The medication is absorbed through the gut within 1 to 2 hours after oral ingestion and is distributed throughout the body rapidly. Its anti-inflammatory effects can persist even after the drug is eliminated from the bloodstream.
