Psoriasis is one of the skin diseases. Getting rid of it is a rather problematic process that can take years, and sometimes even a lifetime. Despite the fact that psoriasis does not pose any danger to others, it does not look aesthetically pleasing and can cause disgust.
For treatment, special creams, ointments, and other topical preparations are usually used. In search of a more effective remedy, psoriasis injections were developed. It is about them that the article will be discussed.
How does psoriasis manifest
The appearance of the disease is associated with disruptions in the life cycle of skin cells. While in a healthy body this period is approximately 30 days, during psoriasis it decreases to 4-5 days.
In the affected areas, inflammation of the skin is observed , which is accompanied by the appearance of red plaques. They look like dry spots raised above the surface of the body. Very often, this whole process is accompanied by severe continuous itching and peeling.
Psoriasis Remedies
As mentioned above, pharmaceutical companies for the fight against psoriasis usually produce topical type of action (creams, ointments, sprays) and tablets. Unfortunately, all of them differ only in short-term effectiveness. That is why new methods have begun to be developed to combat the disease, which, if they cannot completely get rid of it, will extend the period of remission as much as possible. One such remedy is injections for the treatment of psoriasis.
What are the benefits of injections?
Compared with other drugs (tablets, creams, and so on), injections have several important advantages.
Firstly, the very rapid onset of the effect of the drug.
Secondly, the treatment of psoriasis with injections involves the direct entry of the drug into the blood. And this means that he will not need to go through the aggressive environment of the stomach, as is the case with tablets.
And finally, thirdly, injections from psoriasis have a stronger and lasting effect.
With all this, the most optimal option is the introduction of the drug directly into the plaque-affected area.
Types of injections for psoriasis
Psoriasis injections can be divided into several groups depending on the composition and type of exposure.
- Immunosuppressants. They can be represented by drugs such as Remicade, Humira or Stelara.
- Immunomodulators. These include Pyrogenal and Glutoxim.
- Hepatoprotectors. Examples include Heptor and Heptral.
- Glucocorticosteroids. These are “Flosteron” and “Diprospan”.
Let's look at some of the above remedies in more detail to understand how the injections from psoriasis work.
Diprospan
The active substance of the drug is betamethasone.
"Diprospan", whose price is not too high, has an immunosuppressive, anti-shock, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, desensitizing effect.
The drug has gained quite a lot of popularity due to the possibility of inhibiting the synthesis of substances that cause the appearance of an inflammatory reaction, already at the cellular level.
Diprospan is available as a suspension for injection or solution. At the same time, depending on the indications, the drug can be administered intramuscularly, intradermally, periarticularly (around the joint) or intraarticularly.
The required dose depends on the route of administration and the place for injection.
"Diprospan", as a rule, does not cause significant negative reactions of the body in the event of a single use or a short course of treatment. But still, the manufacturer in the instructions for use warns the patient about the possible development of the following side effects:
- hypernatremia, fluid retention in tissues, increased excretion of potassium and calcium from the body, increased body weight
- heart failure, increased blood pressure;
- metabolic disorders in muscle tissue, thinning of bone tissue, fractures of the tubular bones, aseptic necrosis of the head of the femur and humerus;
- flatulence, hiccups, pancreatitis, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive system;
- excessive sweating, dermatitis, atrophy and thinning of the skin, impaired wound healing;
- increased intracranial pressure, convulsions, headaches, dizziness, depression, increased irritability, insomnia;
- secondary adrenal insufficiency, menstrual irregularities, growth retardation and sexual development in children, steroid diabetes;
- cataract, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure;
- anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, aseptic abscesses, skin and subcutaneous atrophy.
The use of Diprospan is contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to its components and systemic mycoses. With extreme caution, it is worthwhile to relate to its use in the presence of peptic ulcers, liver cirrhosis, renal failure, chickenpox, osteoporosis, hypertension, thrombophlebitis.
What is the cost of Diprospan injections? The price can range from 173 rubles and above, it all depends on the pharmacy, the region of residence and the number of ampoules in one package.
"Humira"
The active substance of the drug is adalimumab. It is worth noting immediately that the drug "Humira" is quite expensive. The price for it is in the range of 64,000 rubles.
The product is released in the form of a slightly colored solution in a transparent disposable syringe.
Contraindications to the use of the drug:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- age younger than 16 years;
- the presence of infectious diseases;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
"Humira" can cause the development of a number of side effects:
- infectious diseases of the urinary system or respiratory tract;
- malfunctions in the immune system;
- confusion, depression, insomnia;
- headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
- ringing, stuffiness or pain in the ears;
- glaucoma, edema of the eyelids, redness of the eyes;
- hot flashes, tachycardia, arterial hypertension;
- nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary insufficiency;
- abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhoids, gastritis, flatulence, colitis;
- general and local allergic reactions;
- the appearance of protein in the urine, an increase in creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and urea.
In pharmacies, the drug is dispensed only by prescription. He also selects the necessary dose of medication.
"Stelara"
The main active substance of the drug is ustekinumab.
An agent is available in the form of a solution for injection.
Stelar psoriasis injections are not used for treatment in the following cases:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- the presence of infectious diseases in the acute phase;
- with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- children under the age of 18;
- in the presence of malignant neoplasms.
Caution should be given to its use in the presence of a history of a malignant tumor, chronic or recurring parasitic or infectious diseases of a bacterial, viral or fungal breed, as well as for the treatment of elderly patients.
The most common side effects (in 1 out of 10 cases) are upper respiratory tract infections and nasopharyngitis. A little less often, the drug may be accompanied by inflammation of the subcutaneous fat, viral diseases of the nose or mouth.
In addition, dizziness, nasal congestion, diarrhea, allergic reactions, and fatigue may occur.
The most serious side effects include the appearance of malignant neoplasms. Although studies conducted to date have not revealed any correlation between the use of the drug and the development of the tumor.
Pyrogenal
The active substance of the drug is a bacterial type lipopolysaccharide.
The drug is available in the form of a solution for injection or rectal suppositories (suppositories).
"Pyrogenal" has an immunomodulating effect, and also has good anti-inflammatory, adjuvant and desensitizing properties.
The use of the drug is contraindicated in the case of hypersensitivity to its components, as well as during pregnancy and lactation, with renal, hepatic or heart failure.
Pyrogenal (injections) can cause side effects such as chills, fatigue, fever, nausea, headaches, back pain, fever.
The medicine is dispensed only by prescription.
Psoriasis injections: patient reviews
What do the patients themselves say about the above injections? Each drug has its pros and cons. But if you combine everything that was said about these tools, you can draw small conclusions.
Firstly, they really have a very quick effect on the body and are much more effective than topical preparations.
Secondly, treatment by injection is quite convenient. In addition, when choosing this type of therapy, there is no need to irritate the stomach with the chemical composition of the tablets.
As for the minuses, they are in the high cost of some drugs (an example of this is the "Humira") and a significant number of possible side effects.
Be healthy!