Urbason (Methylprednisolone): what it is, uses and side effects
Inflammation is very common in a large number of injuries and diseases, whether they are located or generalized and may have a very diverse origin. They are produced as a response of the immune system to an injury or infection, as a reaction to the entry into the body of particles that it identifies as harmful without being so, this being the case of allergic reactions or the cause of diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Although the majority of inflammations that we will have throughout life will be slight, the truth is that there are also processes in which they can put at risk the life of the person, something that has generated the need to create drugs that can stop the process inflammatory. One of these drugs, relatively known among the general population, is the Urbason . Let's see what it is and how it works.
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Urbason: what is it?
It is known as Urbason a a type of steroid or corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drug whose main active principle is methylprednisolone. Specifically, it would be part of the glucocorticoids, which work by reducing the activity of the immune system of our body and reducing the formation of substances that participate in inflammatory reactions.
This drug, of great potency and being a corticoid of intermediate life, has as its main mechanism of action the interaction of its components with the cell membrane to generate a complex that after entering the nucleus will contribute to increase or stop the synthesis of inflammatory proteins .
It also alters the metabolism , at the same time that it inhibits the action of vitamins like D (something that in turn is linked to decreases in calcium levels). It also works as a vasodilator, decreases the use of glucose in most systems and increases the level of blood sugar. It would act analogously to cortisone, the stress hormone, produced in the axis
This drug has several presentations and routes of administration, it can be used orally in the form of a tablet or in case of emergency it can also be found as an injectable intravenous or intramuscular route.
It is also important to keep in mind that, and especially when it has been used continuously and in high doses, the treatment should never be left at a blow because can generate serious syndromes that could even cause death .
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Main indications
Urbason is a drug of great potency and usefulness in the treatment of diverse conditions, both for the treatment of specific diseases and when an immediate treatment is needed and with rapid effects (in the case of injectables, generally when there is danger to life) .
Usually we are talking about a focused use to the treatment of inflammations and alterations in which it occurs an excessive or dangerous response from the immune system .
Among the conditions for which it is prescribed are the treatment of anaphylactic shocks, intoxications, adrenal insufficiency, lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis. It is also especially relevant in the treatment of serious edemas such as the cerebral ones (used for example in some traffic accidents) or those of the airways, as well as before rejection responses to transplants.
In many cases it is used as a drug to help the action of chemotherapy or even radiotherapy. It is also used in Addison's disease, in which there is a hypofunction of the adrenal glands that can generate serious insufficiencies.
Other conditions in which it has been shown useful are severe asthma attacks, COPD, various types of arthritis and rheumatism, anemia and hematological problems, urticaria or inflammatory processes such as hepatitis or optic neuritis.
Side effects
As we have said the Urbason, although of relatively frequent use in different conditions and alterations, such as corticosteroid is manifested as a high-potency drug that while it can be very useful and even save lives can also generate various types of side effects.
Some of the most frequent are an increase in appetite and weight, as well as hyperglycemia and increases cholesterol and triglycerides, along with fluid retention, hirsutism (hair growth), skin changes, slow healing and alterations in the distribution of the fats Other regulars are the muscle weakness, dizziness, irregular menstrual cycle, sweating and fatigue .
We must also bear in mind that it is a drug that decreases the immune system response, so that sometimes it will facilitate the onset of infections and diseases.
Likewise can cause erectile dysfunction, hormonal problems, growth disorders, arrhythmias, thrombosis seizures muscle problems, ulcers or glaucoma. It also favors osteoporosis, reducing calcium levels, as we have mentioned previously.
Another type of side effects that the Urbason can generate are the psychological ones: this drug is one of the steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids that has the greatest propensity to contribute to the onset of symptoms, especially in that it refers to variations of the state of mind
Generally related to the dose used (it is generally considered to be somewhat more frequent starting at 80 mg / day), some of the psychic symptoms that may appear they are mania (being this the most frequent), depression or psychosis, as well as confusional states.
Its sudden and non-gradual withdrawal can also generate serious consequences, among which we can find pain, respiratory problems, loss of appetite, hypotension or hypoglycemia and even adrenocortical insufficiency that could lead to death.
Contraindications
The use of Urbason can be useful, but not everyone can take it since it can be dangerous for certain sectors of the population. To begin with, it has contraindicated all those people who suffer from allergies to this type of drug.
Also the elevation of the blood glucose that it produces can result a danger for those patients who have diabetes , taking into account the need to regulate the insulin and medication used. Neither should they take it or do it with caution and under medical recommendation those people with heart disease, patients who are going to perform some type of surgery.
They also have contraindicated or at least should be consulted in those who have ulcers, infections or diseases such as herpes, glaucoma, liver disorders or in case of pregnancy or lactation .
It is also not recommended (except in case of need, as in medical emergencies) in people with mood or psychotic disorders. If you are taking other drugs, you should consult with the doctor the possibility of using it or not, since there are many medications that interact with Urbason.
Bibliographic references:
- Spanish Agency of Medicines (2017). Data sheet Urbason 16 mg tablets. [On-line]. Available at //www.aemps.gob.es/cima/dochtml/ft/59123/FichaTecnica_59123.html#4-6-fertilidad-embarazo-y-lactancia.
- Spanish Agency of Medicines (2017). Package leaflet: information for the user Urbason 40 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection. Methylprednisolone [Online]. Available at: //www.aemps.gob.es/cima/pdfs/en/p/34023/34023_p.pdf.
- Lozano, M., Pelegrín, C. and O'Neill, A. (1988). Effects of therapeutic drugs on the psyche. Judges for democracy.
