Some diseases can occur with a certain resistance to drugs, i.e., not respond to the introduction of drugs. In such cases, they usually resort to the use of glucocorticoids. One of these drugs is Metipred. Why is this medicine prescribed and what is it like?
What is this drug?
"Metipred" refers to a group of synthetic glucocorticosteroids, that is, it is an artificially synthesized analogue of hormones. It has anti-inflammatory activity, has an anti-allergic effect, relieves swelling, slightly reduces the activity of immunity, restores metabolic disorders.
The mechanism of its action is based on a reaction with specific receptors located in many tissues. Due to the connection with them, special proteins are formed that are responsible for the regulation of most vital processes.
The medicine affects all types of metabolic processes in the body.
Since the drug belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids, it is prescribed only in certain cases when the basic drugs indicated for the treatment of this disease become ineffective.
In what cases can Metipred be used? Why is it prescribed for a particular disease?
Indications for appointment
What diseases do hormonal preparations require for their cure? What ailments are indicated for "Metipred"? Why is this medicine prescribed?
First of all, the appointment of this medication is mandatory for systemic diseases of the connective tissue. As such, they are: systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, all vasculitis, dermatomyositis. In these cases, the hormone helps to reduce the inflammatory process, restore metabolism in the affected tissues.
In rheumatology, Metipred is also widely used. Indications for use - acute inflammatory diseases of the joints: arthritis of gouty and psoriatic etiology, osteoarthritis, bursitis, synovitis, ankylosing spondylitis. The main effect of the drug in these diseases is anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
You can use "Metipred" for bronchial asthma and various chronic allergic diseases.
Drug dosage
In what doses is the use of Metipred indicated? It should be remembered that when prescribing this medicine, like other hormones, you need to take into account the circadian rhythms of the body, as well as the function of the adrenal cortex. The dose for each patient is selected individually.
The daily amount of the hormone is best taken in the morning (usually it is advised to drink the entire dose in the range from 6 to 8 in the morning, or to divide it into two doses - at 8 and 12 hours). A similar dosage is observed in all hormonal preparations. Metipred is no exception.
Tablets are taken directly with or after meals. In children, the dose is determined according to age and body weight.
The norm of the drug is from 4 to 50 mg per day. A higher dose (up to 1 g) is indicated for patients with systemic diseases of the connective tissue of extreme severity. Particular attention should be paid to the appointment of the drug before organ transplantation to the recipient or in vitro fertilization.
Side effects
With proper dosage of the drug and compliance with all the doctor’s prescriptions, when it is taken, side effects almost never develop. However, it should be remembered that in case of violation of the reception conditions, quite serious conditions can develop. What can the use of this medicine lead to?
"Metipred" primarily has a negative effect on the endocrine system. There may be a decrease in glucose tolerance, the development of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, delayed sexual development (when prescribed to children).
The digestive system can respond to the introduction of the drug by the development of nausea and vomiting, stool changes, pancreatitis, ulcers, up to bleeding and perforation of the stomach wall.
The influence of Metipred on the cardiovascular system is manifested in the form of arrhythmias, bradycardia, and the deterioration of the body with heart failure.
On the part of the nervous system, a delirium-like state, the development of psychosis, paranoia, insomnia and dizziness are most often observed.
Contraindications
When is it not worth using this medicine? Metipred can only be used for a short period of time. With a longer intake, the list of contraindications expands significantly.
They use the medicine with caution in diseases of the digestive tract such as ulcers, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, gastrointestinal surgery.
Many infectious diseases are also included in the list of relative contraindications, since it is not known how the body will respond to the introduction of a hormonal drug. Another condition prohibiting the use of hormones is their immunosuppressive effect.
You should not use the drug for diabetes, obesity.
Children and pregnant women belong to the category with absolute contraindications to the use of Metipred. It can only be prescribed if there is a significant threat to life.
Interaction with other medicines
As you know, many drugs can enhance, weaken or neutralize the effect of another drug. How does Metipred react with the parallel administration of other drugs?
The use of this medication with inducers of liver enzymes leads to a decrease in the concentration of the active substance in the blood (its metabolism is enhanced).
If you prescribe the drug "Metipred" with diuretics, the risk of developing heart failure and hypokalemia increases significantly.
Pulse therapy "Metipred" with the simultaneous appointment of cardiac glycosides an order of magnitude increases the risk of ventricular extrasystole.
Do not use methylprednisolone and anticoagulants together, as the therapeutic effect of the latter worsens.
Taking the drug with alcohol and non-steroidal drugs leads to an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers.
"Metipred" reduces the effectiveness of the administered insulin and antihypertensive drugs.
Directions for use
In what dosage forms can Metipred exist? What is each of them prescribed for? Let's look at these issues in more detail.
"Metipred" (tablets) is prescribed for mild forms of the disease, as well as in the absence of contraindications for oral administration.
Lyophilisate is a special form of the drug, which is a powder for dilution and intravenous administration. They are used mainly in severe forms of diseases, as well as in emergency care.
The resulting solution is recommended to be used immediately. If you need to store it for a while, then this should be done at a temperature of 15 to 20 degrees. At lower rates, you can keep the prepared drug for no more than a day.
For the safety of the patient’s health, it is recommended to use antacids in parallel (to protect the mucous membrane).
Before using the medicine, you should always consult with your doctor about the dose of the drug and the frequency of its administration.
"Metipred" in the treatment of infertility
In gynecology, as in other areas of medicine, Metipred is also used. Why is this medicine prescribed?
The main use of the drug is suppression of immunity in vitro fertilization.
IVF is a procedure the essence of which is to isolate an egg from a woman, fertilize her in vitro with a male sperm and introduce the resulting zygote into the uterus.
"Metipred" in IVF is indicated for some suppression of immunity. It is recommended to use it several days after the transfer of the zygote into the uterine cavity. This is done in order to exclude the possibility of rejection by the body of a “foreign object”.
With a favorable outcome, embryo implantation in the uterine mucosa, placenta formation and intrauterine growth of the embryo occur.
"Metipred" in IVF is indicated for all women. If there are contraindications to its use, it is better to refuse in vitro fertilization.
Some diseases of the female reproductive system may require hormones. "Metipred" in gynecology is rarely used to treat leukoplakia and some inflammatory processes.
Systemic disease treatment
With these conditions, as a rule, resort to the so-called pulse therapy. The essence of this treatment method is as follows: for a short period of time (usually 1-2 days), a rather large dose of the drug is administered to the patient, and then within a few weeks (depending on the severity and type of the disease) - the maintenance dose of the drug.
For example, in the treatment of systemic vasculitis, this scheme is as follows: the Metipred drug is first administered in a dose of up to 1000 mg, after which the patient is transferred to maintenance therapy (80-100 mg).
Such a scheme has gained its distribution due to its high efficiency.
The introduction of a large dose contributes to the "stress" of the disease and the development of the so-called metabolic failure. In this case, the affected body is easier to restore normal reactions than without such a strong impact. Also, due to the large dose, it is possible to inhibit most immune cells.
Pulse therapy can be supplemented with cytostatics to achieve a more pronounced immunosuppressive effect.
Importance of using the drug
This medicine cannot be simply bought at the pharmacy. Only the attending physician can issue a prescription for Metipred. Indications for use should be weighty (for example, systemic inflammatory diseases). Only in this case, the pharmacist will be able to give you the drug you need.
Another feature of the drug is that with prolonged use, addiction or withdrawal symptoms is possible.
It develops when Metipred has been prescribed for a long time and in large doses. In parallel, there is inhibition of their own hormones produced in the adrenal glands. In this case, do not immediately discontinue the drug. It is recommended for a long time to gradually reduce the dose. Only under such conditions can normal hormone synthesis be restored.