What is the drug called “Phlosterone” intended for? Instructions for use (injections), reviews will be presented later. We will also tell you about the composition of this drug, what patients say about it, whether it has side effects and what contraindications should be known before using the medication for its intended purpose.
The composition of the medicinal product, packaging and release form
What form of release does the drug “Phlosterone” have? Instructions for use (injections), reviews of experts say that this tool can only be purchased in the form of a suspension, which is intended for injection.
The active substances of this drug are the following: betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate. The suspension goes on sale in ampoules, which are placed in contour plastic packaging.
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
What is a remedy like Phlosterone? Instructions for use (injections), reviews of doctors say that the effectiveness of this medication is due to its composition.
Betamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroids. It has a desensitizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-allergic, immunosuppressive and anti-toxic effect. Also, the medication increases the excitability of the nervous system, reduces the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes, increases the number of red blood cells (due to the increased production of erythropoietins).
The agent under consideration easily interacts with cytoplasmic receptors, stimulates RNA synthesis, and forms a complex that penetrates the nuclei of cells.
Mechanism of action
How does the drug “Phlosterone” for injection? He takes an active part in almost all metabolic processes of the body.
Lipid metabolism. The drug increases the synthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as fatty acids (higher). It redistributes fat and leads to the formation of hypercholesterolemia.
Protein metabolism . The medicine "Phlosterone", the composition of which would be presented above, reduces the amount of protein in plasma. At the same time, it increases the coefficient of albumin and globulin, increases the synthesis of albumin in the kidneys and liver, and also enhances protein catabolism in muscle tissues.
Carbohydrate metabolism . What do experts say about this drug? What kind of reviews do they leave about him? “Flosterone” is a unique medication that increases the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive tract, increases the activity of the synthesis of aminotransferases and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, which leads to the activation of gluconeogenesis, and also increases the flow of glucose from the liver to the blood.
Water-electrolyte exchange . Treatment with “Flosterone” promotes the retention of Na + and water in the body, stimulates the excretion of K, lowers the absorption of Ca 2+ from the digestive tract, leaches it from the bones, and also increases excretion through the kidneys.
Drug properties
What are the properties of the drug "Phlosterone"? Instructions for use (injections), reviews inform that when using the medication has the following effects:
- Anti-inflammatory. This effect is associated with a decrease in the number of mast cells that produce hyaluronic acid, as well as inhibition of inflammatory mediators that are released by eosinophils.
- Antiallergic. Such an effect develops in response to suppression of the secretion and synthesis of allergy mediators, as well as inhibition of the release of histamine basophils and mast cells.
- Antitoxic and anti-shock. This effect occurs against the background of increased blood pressure, decreased permeability of the vascular walls and activation of liver enzymes.
- Immunosuppressive A similar effect is due to inhibition of the release of cytokines from macrophages and lymphocytes.
Pharmacokinetics
How long is the drug in question absorbed? What do the reviews say about this? “Flosterone” is a medication for intra-articular administration. After using the drug, its maximum plasma concentration is reached in about half an hour.
The drug easily binds to proteins, and also passes through histohematological barriers, including the placental one.
The metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. In this case, predominantly inactive metabolites are formed. It is excreted through the kidneys, as well as in a small amount along with bile and breast milk.
Drug indications
Can I use the drug “Phlosterone” for psoriasis, arthritis and other diseases? The list of indications of this tool will be presented below.
As a local treatment:
- for intraarticular administration in the presence of synovitis, as well as in other rheumatic degenerative diseases (in no case can be used for arthrosis of the hip joints) ;
- for periarticular and intraarticular administration in rheumatic inflammatory diseases (seronegative spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis in systemic connective tissue disease), psoriatic arthritis with tendosynovitis and joint damage, post-traumatic arthritis and crystalline arthritis;
- for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of the periarticular tissues (epicondylitis, bursitis, tendosynovitis, planar fasciitis and tendonitis);
- for introduction into the lesion site during the treatment of skin diseases (if there is no reaction to other methods of local therapy): psoriasis, sclerosing folliculitis, alopecia areata, keloids, coin-like eczema, annular granuloma, lichen planus, skin sarcoidosis, neurodermatitis, diabetic lipodystrophy and lupus erythematosus discoid.
As a systemic treatment:
- the systemic effect of the drug “Phlosterone” is used only for certain allergic diseases (Quincke's edema, allergic rhinitis, insect bites, asthmatic status, allergic reactions to medications).
The drug "Phlosterone": contraindications for use
Before using the drug in question, be sure to read the attached instructions. This is due to the fact that this medication has a large number of side effects. Consider their list now:
- osteoporosis;
- peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach, diverticulitis, intestinal anastamosis;
- glaucoma;
- thrombophlebitis;
- Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome;
- tuberculosis;
- condition after surgery and severe injuries;
- diabetes;
- idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (for intramuscular administration only);
- acute fungal, bacterial and viral infections (if appropriate treatment is not carried out);
- post-vaccination period (2 months before and for two weeks after);
- lack of symptoms of inflammation in the joint;
- periarthricular infections, an infectious (or so-called septic) inflammatory process in the joints;
- transarticular fracture of bones;
- joint instability as a result of arthritis;
- previous arthroplasty;
- necrosis (aseptic) of the epiphyses of the bones that form the joint;
- severe joint deformation and bone destruction;
- introduction to the Achilles tendon;
- lactation period;
- bleeding of a pathological nature;
- hypersensitivity to betamethasone, as well as any other component of the drug.
Due to the fact that the medicine “Phlosterone” contains benzyl alcohol, it is forbidden to use it in relation to newborns, as well as children under three years of age.
Dosage and administration
The drug “Phlosterone” for psoriasis (reviews of the drug will be presented below), as well as other diseases, are used in a parenteral way. In other words, the medication in question is allowed to be used for intraarticular, periarticular and intradermal administration. It should also be noted that in exceptional cases, this tool is administered intramuscularly.
The dose of the drug for adults and young children is set individually. Its volume depends on the severity of the nature of the disease, patient response, size and location of the joint, and so on.
Periarticular and intraarticular administration:
- large joints (often hip) - 1-2 ml;
- large joints (shoulder, knee, ankle) - 1 ml;
- middle joints (ulnar, carpal) - 0.5-1 ml;
- small joints (interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, sternoclavicular) - 0.25-0.5 ml. Acute gouty arthritis requires the use of 0.5 to 1 ml of the drug.
Injections into large joints should be done no more than 3-4 times a year. A single dosage of the drug should not be higher than 0.2 ml per cm 2 .
Local infiltration:
- tendonitis and tendosynovitis - 0.5 ml;
- bursitis - about 0.25-1 ml (in the acute stage, up to 2 ml);
- fibrositis approximately - 0.5-1 ml.
The drug is used every 1-2 weeks. If required, then in one syringe, the drug is mixed with a local anesthetic.
Systemic administration for allergies:
- single dose - from 1 to 2 ml (only intramuscularly).
The medication is injected deep into the gluteal muscle.
For children from 3 to 5 years old, the initial dosage is 2 mg, and 6-12 years old - 4 mg.
Overdose
In case of an overdose, patients may experience the following symptoms: agitation, nausea, sleep disorders, vomiting, depression, and euphoria. With prolonged use of the drug in high dosages, the drug causes myopathy, osteoporosis, fluid retention in the body, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, increased blood pressure and inhibition of the adrenal cortex. For treatment, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the drug, and then completely cancel it.
Side effects of the drug
The drug "Phlosterone" during pregnancy is prohibited. This is due to the fact that this medication has a huge number of side effects. They can appear on the part of all systems and organs.
- Endocrine system: hirsutism, decreased glucose tolerance, delayed sexual development in adolescents and children, steroid diabetes mellitus, etc.
- Digestive tract: erosive esophagitis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, pancreatitis, nausea, decreased, etc.
- Blood vessels and heart: arrhythmia, hypercoagulation, bradycardia, venous thrombosis, etc.
- Nervous system: hallucinations, headache, manic-depressive psychosis, depression, dizziness, disorientation, cerebellar pseudotumor, euphoria, nervousness, paranoia, etc.
- Sensory organs: trophic changes in the cornea, sudden loss of vision, subcapsular cataract, eye infections, diplopia, exophthalmos, etc.
- Metabolism: hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, fluid and sodium retention in the body, weight gain.
- Musculoskeletal system: tendon rupture of muscles, growth retardation in children, osteoporosis, steroid myopathy, proximal muscle weakness, decreased muscle mass.
- Integuments and mucous membranes: atrophy of the skin, petechiae, thinning of the skin, ecchymosis, steroid acne, slow healing of wounds.
Drug interaction
Before using the drug in question, it is necessary to find out whether it is possible to use the drug “Phlosterone” simultaneously with other medicines.
- Muscular blockade increases with the simultaneous use of other corticosteroids.
- Betamethasone's effectiveness is markedly reduced if it is administered with phenobarbital, rifampicin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
- The combined use of the drug "Phlosterone" and ritodrin is contraindicated, since this combination can cause pulmonary edema.
- With a single use with antiviral vaccines (live), the risk of developing infections and activating viruses increases.
- The drug increases the toxicity of asparaginase, reduces the effect of growth hormone, and also reduces the metabolism of cyclosporine.
“Flosteron” or “Diprospan”: which is better?
The active substance is the same for both agents, and the composition is similar. But despite this, the cost of the first is much less than the second. This is partly due to the manufacturer of the drug. However, some experts argue that the drug "Flosteron" is more effective. At the same time, I want to note that there are a fairly large number of positive reviews about the Diprospan medication. Patients claim that this drug has much fewer side effects. It practically does not cause allergic reactions and is tolerated relatively well. However, they do not speak very well about the drug “Phlosterone”, referring to its inefficiency. However, it should be said that everything here is purely individual.
By the way, the question of replacing one remedy with another should be decided only after consultation with the attending physician.
Analogs of means
In addition to the medicine "Diprospan", the drug "Flosteron" has other analogues. These include the following drugs: Akriderm, Betamethasone sodium phosphate, Akriderm Genta, Betamethasone valerate, Betnovate, Celederm, Beloderm, Betamethasone dipropionate, Beloderm Express, Celeston "," Diprospan "," Betazone "," Celestoderm-V "," Betamethasone "," Betliben "," Kuterid ".