The right choice of drug is the basis of fast and successful therapy. In the pharmaceutical market there are a large number of analogues and generics, so it is quite difficult for a person who is far from the world of medicine to make a choice in a pharmacy.
In this case, the main factor when buying a medicine is its price. However, even the identical principle of action of the drug and the composition does not always guarantee the same effect of therapy. When it comes to drugs that can cause serious side effects, the choice of medication should be especially careful. It is necessary to listen to the recommendations of doctors, independently understand the issue of the differences between two similar formulations of drugs.
Indications
Before you understand the question of which is better: Prednisolone or Metipred, you need to understand why these drugs are needed. The composition of both drugs is aimed at suppressing the body’s immune response, that is, minimizing immunity. Despite the fact that this may seem paradoxical, because the issue of increasing immunity is very popular and relevant, immunosuppressants are indispensable in the treatment of a number of diseases.
Autoimmune pathologies are processes in which human immunity begins to attack its own cells. This occurs as a result of the fact that the infection penetrates into the cells, and it is impossible to destroy it without destroying the cell. After the cell becomes infected, the body begins to produce certain antibodies that circulate in the body and destroy their own cells.
It is noteworthy that antibodies can “make mistakes” and attack organs whose cells have a similar structure, for example, the heart and kidneys often become targets of immunoglobulins after streptococcal angina.
Autoimmune diseases are incurable today, so even after the infection has already been eradicated, antibodies continue to be produced. At best, the disease goes into remission, but under the influence of any factor (emotional shock, colds, climate change, pregnancy), it can return. If the disease does not enter sleep mode and actively destroys the tissues of organs, it is necessary to introduce it into remission artificially, by “resetting” the immune system.
“Prednisolone” or “Metipred” reduce the activity of the immune system to a minimum, ensuring that antibodies cease to be produced. After a course, which on average lasts from two to six months, the dosage of the drug begins to be slowly reduced, awakening its own immune response. If the treatment is successful, the immune system will work correctly until the next exacerbation. However, there are frequent cases when remission after treatment with glucocorticosteroids lasts a lifetime.
Side effects
When considering the issue of which is better - “Prednisolone” or “Metipred”, they rarely imply immediate effectiveness, since the severity of the effect depends on the individual characteristics of the body, and not on the difference between the two compounds.
Patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment are interested in the possibility of avoiding the side effects that both drugs have in large numbers.
Weight gain
The main side effect that the vast majority of people undergoing a long course of treatment with glucocorticosteroids encounters is weight gain. Metabolism during therapy with hormonal drugs really decreases, and appetite, on the contrary, increases. But the main reason for weight gain is fluid retention in the body. If the diuresis and the amount of sodium consumed are carefully controlled, weight gain can be avoided, and only the face pastiness provoked by the development of Cushing's syndrome during therapy will testify to the use of drugs. As the dosage is reduced, the problem will resolve itself.
Diabetes
Steroid diabetes is the second common problem faced by patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. For young patients whose genetics are not burdened by endocrine diseases, diabetes does not pose a great danger, after canceling the level of glucose and insulin stabilizes.
Stomach ulcer
And finally, the third most common side effect is gastric ulcer. Modern medicine has almost completely eliminated the relevance of this problem with the help of a special diet and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa during the course of treatment. In the event that the patient carefully treats all the doctor's recommendations, acquired gastrointestinal pathologies can be avoided.
Side effects such as menstrual irregularities, the development of hypertension and osteoporosis are also known. Many patients experience increased irritability and insomnia.
Can side effects be avoided?
The list of side effects when taking glucocorticosteroids is quite impressive in terms of the number of possible consequences and their severity. Unfortunately, there are no methods to eliminate them completely, but to minimize them is quite realistic. It is in connection with this that the question arises, which is better: "Prednisolone" or "Metipred"?
Both drugs have the same composition and similar mechanism of action. However, Metipred, in the language of pharmacists, is a more “pure” drug. That is, the components that make up the medicine underwent a more complex and multi-stage purification than that of the analogue, which means that the toxic effect is reduced during its administration and side effects are reduced.
If we are talking about the short-term use of glucocorticosteroids, for example, with an allergic reaction, to think on the topic: "Prednisolone" or "Metipred" - which is better to choose, is irrelevant. Any drug will be effective, and the very fact of the short duration of its use will not allow either the side effects listed above to appear or have a toxic effect on the body. But if the course of therapy is calculated for months, a “clean” drug will be much safer.
It is believed that side effects can be less severe if glucorticosteroids are used early in the morning.
When prescribing Prednisolone or Metipred during pregnancy, doctors more often make a choice in favor of the latter, since in this case we consider not only the effectiveness of therapy for the patient, but also safety for the fetus.
Mineralocorticoid effect
Analyzing the question of which is better - "Prednisolone" or "Metipred", it is important to consider such a phenomenon as the mineralocorticoid effect. This definition refers to a phenomenon associated with sodium retention in the body. This leads to edema, an increase in blood pressure characteristic of hormones, a round face.
The composition of "Metipred" allows sodium not to linger in the body, due to which the problem of "Cushingoid face" in patients undergoing therapy with this drug is less pronounced than in people taking "Prednisolone".
Severity of effect
Studies studying the difference in the therapeutic effect of the two drugs did not reveal a fundamental difference. The result of therapy is based on the individual characteristics of a person, a specific disease, concomitant diseases.
Available on various resources about drugs such as Prednisolone or Metipred, reviews often speak about the effectiveness of the former. Remission from Prednisolone arose faster and, on average, lasted longer.
Drug Replacement
In order to find out in a particular case, “Prednisolone” or “Metipred” - which is better, you can try both drugs and compare the effect. Starting therapy with Prednisone, you can switch to Metipred without changing the dosage. Thus, 1 mg of Prednisolone and 1 mg of Metipred are completely identical.
However, it is necessary to replace the drug under the supervision of the attending physician.
Immunosuppressants and diseases
Choosing a specific drug for treatment, many patients are interested in the effectiveness of the drug for a particular disease. That is, the question of “Prednisolone” or “Metipred” - which is better for arthritis, glomerulonephritis or other pathology, is very relevant.
Given the identical composition and indications in use, it can be argued that there is no fundamental difference in the appointment of immunosuppressants. When choosing a drug, the doctor relies on his own experience and analytical data, which medicine was easier for a patient with a similar disease, age, gender, did not entail complications and showed the best effect.
Cost of drugs
Considering the question of “Prednisolone” or “Metipred” - which is better, it is impossible to ignore the issue of the cost of drugs. Metipred is a more expensive medicine. Its average price in Russia is 200 rubles, while the cost of Prednisolone varies from 50 to 70 rubles. The cost of Russian drugs is traditionally lower, but reviews on domestic immunosuppressants are on average worse than on imported ones.
Considering the fact that the use of glucocorticosteroids for autoimmune diseases lasts from six months to a lifetime intake, it is obvious that for many patients it is more relevant to choose the treatment tool that fits most well into the monthly budget. The dosage prescribed for taking Prednisolone or Metipred preparations is also of no small importance, since a higher concentration of the active substance is reasonably also of a higher cost.
Thus, the answer to the question of “Prednisone” or “Metipred”: which is better, is individual. When choosing a drug, it is important to take into account the entire clinical picture of the patient, consult a doctor and choose medications and their dosage so that the effect is pronounced, and side effects do not significantly affect the patient's quality of life and do not pose a threat to his health.