Severe forms of chronic dermatoses require complex treatment. And one of the methods of therapy is the appointment of external hormones. They are shown in the case when the patient has severe inflammation, does not pass the itching, and conventional drugs do not help. Many now negatively relate to hormonal drugs, but there are also such drugs that do not have their negative properties. For example, methylprednisolone aceponate. Preparations based on it are much more effective than previously hydrocortisone, but are safer for health.
Characterization of methylprednisolone aceponate
At the present stage of development of medical science, there are no more effective drugs than glucocorticosteroids. But most of them have a lot of side effects. Against the background of other hormonal agents of methylprednisolone, aceponate has many advantages:
- It is highly effective and quickly relieves inflammation;
- does not contain chlorine and fluorine, due to which it rarely provokes side effects;
- its effect lasts for 24 hours, therefore, a single use is sufficient;
- has a variety of forms of release for ease of use at different stages of the disease;
- easy to use: odorless, does not stain clothes;
- safe at any age, since it is almost not absorbed into the blood.
Therefore, now one of the most popular glucocorticosteroids for external use is precisely methylprednisolone aceponate. Its main name can be repeated by the main active substance, but the most commonly used is Advantan ointment based on it.
Its useful properties
This steroid hormonal drug does not contain halogens, which cause most of the side effects. Due to the special structure of the active substance, it does not penetrate the bloodstream, but acts directly in the focus of inflammation. When methylprednisolone aceponate is applied to the skin, the following effects are observed:
- the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators is reduced;
- itching and burning pass;
- pain is reduced;
- swelling and redness of the tissues decreases;
- collagen formation is reduced;
- capillary permeability decreases;
- blood composition normalizes: the number of lymphocytes and eosinophils decreases.
When are these drugs prescribed?
Like other hormonal agents, only in severe forms of the inflammatory process is methylprednisolone aceponate used. Ointment and other forms of the drug are prescribed for such conditions:
- various types of eczema: bacterial, occupational or pediatric;
- atopic dermatitis;
- neurodermatitis;
- seborrhea;
- allergic or contact dermatitis;
- psoriasis;
- sunburn and chemical burns.
In addition, it is methylprednisolone aceponate that is used after endoprosthetics, implant placement and organ transplantation. It helps their engraftment, suppressing the body's immune response to foreign tissue.
Forms of the release of drugs based on methylprednisolone aceponate
Another advantage of drugs based on this substance is that they are available in different forms. This increases their effectiveness.
- For dermatitis with dry and flaky skin, an ointment with a high fat content is used. It does not contain water at all and is effective for the treatment of long-term chronic diseases.
- If the inflammation has not changed the moisture content of the skin, use the usual ointment "Methylprednisolone aceponate" 0.1%. It not only eliminates inflammatory processes, but also effectively moisturizes the skin.
- Under the bandage, the preparation is applied in the form of an emulsion. This form is convenient for sunburn, atopic dermatitis. It is the emulsion that is most often used in the treatment of children.
- In case of weeping eczema and severe inflammatory processes, the methylprednisolone aceponate agent is used - a cream with a low fat content. It can also be used on the scalp.
Where methylprednisolone aceponate is contained
Drugs based on this substance are known to dermatologists, but not all patients are familiar with them. Among the cheaper products, an ointment with the same name or called “methylprednisolone aceponate” can be noted. It costs about 60 rubles. A cream based on this substance - Depo-Medrol can be purchased for 80 rubles. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effect, this drug affects the metabolism and improves the condition of bone tissue. There is also ointment "Komfoderm". It costs an average of about 300 rubles. But the most famous ointment is Advantan. It is more effective than other glucocorticosteroids and rarely causes allergic reactions. Although it costs more than 400 rubles, many people prefer to choose it for treatment.
Methylprednisolone aceponate: instructions for use
Use drugs based on this substance can only be prescribed by a doctor. It is not recommended to exceed the indicated dosage and frequency of application of the ointment. To prevent the occurrence of side effects, you can not use the drug on large surfaces of the skin (more than 50%) and next to the mucous membranes.
The rules for the use of Advantan and similar drugs do not depend on the form of release. Apply an ointment or cream with a thin layer on the affected skin 1 time per day. Perhaps its use under a blindfold. The duration of treatment should be observed: for children older than 4 months - no more than 30 days, and for adults - 3 months.
Side effects
This unique drug, unlike other hormonal drugs, very rarely causes negative reactions. It does not penetrate the blood and does not accumulate in the tissues. Therefore, when applying ointments based on it, there is no change in the level of cortisol and skin atrophy does not develop . But in some cases, with prolonged use or overdose, the following side effects are possible:
- burning sensation on the skin;
- the appearance of a rash and acne;
- allergic reaction;
- depigmentation of skin;
- in rare cases, atrophy of the skin, erythema, hypertrichosis or folliculitis is possible;
- in case of contact with eyes or frequent application to the area next to them, glaucoma may develop.
Contraindications to the use of such funds
Not all patients can use drugs based on methylprednisolone aceponate. During pregnancy, he is prescribed with great care, only if without it it is impossible to cope with the disease. If the inflammatory process is caused by bacteria or fungi, then methylprednisolone aceponate can be used only in combination with antibiotics or mycotic drugs.
And hormonal treatment for such diseases is contraindicated:
- viral infections;
- allergic reaction after vaccination;
- tuberculosis, syphilis and other serious diseases;
- chicken pox, lichen and herpes;
- if there is blackheads on the body or rosacea;
- individual intolerance;
- children under 4 months.
Errors in the use of methylprenisolone aceponate
These modern hormonal drugs differ from previously used in their safety. They do not contain chlorine and fluorine, so they can be prescribed even to small children and applied on the face. Because of this, many doctors consider methylprednisolone aceponate-based products to be weak and others prefer them. In fact, the effectiveness of Advantan and similar drugs has been clinically proven. Some dermatologists and patients make other mistakes when using methylprednisolone aceponate in treatment.
- It is recommended to be applied during remissions for prevention. But this drug is only active in case of inflammation; on healthy skin, it is useless.
- Many believe that with repeated application of the cream, its effectiveness will increase. However, methylprednisolone aceponate accumulates in the tissues, and its effect lasts 24 hours.
- To increase effectiveness, some doctors prescribe antibiotics with these drugs. But methylprednisolone aceponate due to its unique composition itself has bactericidal properties. Antibacterial agents are needed only if the disease is caused by microorganisms.
- Sometimes patients who are afraid of side effects dilute the drug with neutral ointments. But this can lead to a change in the pharmacological properties of the drug and to a decrease in its effectiveness.
Methylprednisolone aceponate: analogues
Despite the advantages of the drug based on this substance and its high effectiveness, not everyone can use it for treatment. Even if the patient does not have individual intolerance to methylprednisolone aceponate and contraindications for its use, the price of ointment is very high for many: “Advantan” costs 450-500 rubles. Therefore, some ask the doctor to recommend a cheaper drug that has a similar effect.
There are several such funds: Sterocort, Metipred, Medrol, Urbazon and others. But we must remember that all of them are not as effective as, for example, Advantan. Betamethasone-based drugs have a similar effect. These are ointments “Betasalik”, “Diprospan”, “Celeston”, “Triderm” and others. If you are intolerant of these drugs, you can use Flutsinar, which costs about 200 rubles, or Akriderm, about 120 rubles.
All hormonal drugs can only be used as directed by a doctor. Even if they do not have side effects like Advantan, it is better to anoint ordinary acne or skin irritation with a safer product.