Some illnesses may have some degree of drug resistance, i.e. not respond to drug administration. In such cases, as a rule, resort to the use of glucocorticoids. One of these drugs is Metipred. What is this medicine prescribed for and what is it?
What is this drug?
"Metipred" belongs to the 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, somewhat lowers the activity of the immune system, and restores metabolic disorders.
The mechanism of its action is based on the 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 drug affects all kinds of metabolic processes in the body.
Since the drug belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids, it is prescribed only in certain cases whenbasic remedies indicated for the treatment of this disease become ineffective.
In what cases can Metipred be used? Why is it prescribed for this or that disease?
Indications for prescription
What diseases require the appointment of hormonal drugs for their cure? For what ailments is Metipred indicated? What is this drug prescribed for?
First of all, the appointment of this medication is mandatory for systemic diseases of the connective tissue. These 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.
Metipred is also widely used in rheumatology. 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 dosing
In what doses is the use of "Metipred" shown? It should be remembered that when prescribing this drug, like other hormones, one must 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 between 6 and 8 am, or divide it into two doses - at 8 and 12 o'clock). Similar dosing is observed in all hormonal drugs. Metipred is no exception.
Pills 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 connective tissue diseases of extreme severity. Particular attention should be paid to prescribing the drug before organ transplantation to the recipient or during in vitro fertilization.
Side effects
With proper dosing of the drug and compliance with all doctor's prescriptions when taking it, side effects almost never develop. However, it should be remembered that if the reception conditions are violated, rather serious conditions can develop. What can the use of this medicine lead to?
"Metipred" primarily has a negative impact on the endocrine system. There may be a decrease in glucose tolerance, the development of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, delayed sexual development (when administered to children).
The digestive system may react to the administration of the drug with the development of nausea and vomiting, changes in stool, pancreatitis, ulcers, up to bleeding and perforationstomach wall.
The effect of "Metipred" on the cardiovascular system manifests itself in the form of arrhythmias, bradycardia, deterioration of the body in heart failure.
On the part of the nervous system, a delirium-like condition is most often observed, the development of psychosis, paranoia, insomnia and dizziness.
Contraindications
When should you not use this medicine? "Metipred" can only be used for a short period of time. With a longer intake, the list of contraindications expands significantly.
Carefully use the medicine for diseases of the digestive tract such as ulcers, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, surgery on the gastrointestinal tract.
Many infectious diseases are also included in the list of relative contraindications, since it is not known how the body will react to the introduction of a hormonal drug. Another condition prohibiting the use of hormones is their immunosuppressive effect.
Do 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 when there is a significant threat to life.
Interaction with other drugs
As you know, many drugs can enhance, weaken or neutralize the effect of another drug. How does Metipred react with a parallel appointmentother drugs?
The use of this drug with liver enzyme inducers leads to a decrease in the concentration of the active substance in the blood (its metabolism increases).
If you prescribe Metipred with diuretics, the risk of developing heart failure and hypokalemia increases significantly.
Metipred pulse therapy while prescribing cardiac glycosides by an order of magnitude increases the risk of ventricular extrasystole.
Methylprednisolone and anticoagulants should not be used together, as the therapeutic effect of the latter worsens.
Taking the drug with alcohol and nonsteroidal drugs increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal ulcers.
"Metipred" reduces the effectiveness of administered insulin and antihypertensive drugs.
Instructions for use
In what dosage forms can "Metipred" exist? What is each of them for? Let's take a closer look at these questions.
"Metipred" (tablets) is prescribed for non-severe forms of diseases, as well as in the absence of contraindications to 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 it is necessary to store it for some time, then this should be done at a temperature of 15 to 20degrees. At lower rates, you can keep the prepared preparation for no more than a day.
For the safety of the patient's he alth, it is recommended to use antacids in parallel (to protect the mucous membrane).
Before using the medicine, be sure to consult your doctor regarding the dose of the drug and the frequency of its use.
"Metipred" in the treatment of infertility
In gynecology, as in other areas of medicine, Metipred is also used. What is this drug prescribed for?
The main use of the drug is immune suppression in in vitro fertilization.
IVF is a procedure, the essence of which is to isolate an egg from a woman, fertilize it 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 for 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”.
If the outcome is favorable, the implantation of the embryo into the uterine mucosa, the formation of the placenta and intrauterine growth of the embryo occur.
"Metipred" for IVF is shown to 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 the appointment of hormones. "Metipred" in gynecology is occasionally usedfor the treatment of leukoplakia and some inflammatory processes.
Treatment of systemic diseases
In these conditions, as a rule, resort to the so-called pulse therapy. The essence of this method of treatment 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 for several weeks (depending on the severity and type of the disease) - a maintenance dose of the drug.
For example, in the treatment of systemic vasculitis, this scheme is as follows: Metipred is first administered at a dose of up to 1000 mg, after which the patient is transferred to maintenance therapy (80-100 mg).
This scheme has gained popularity 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. At the same time, it is easier for the affected organism to restore normal reactions than without such a strong impact. Also, due to the large dose, most immune cells can be inhibited.
Pulse therapy can be supplemented with cytostatics to achieve a more pronounced immunosuppressive effect.
Importance of using the drug
This medicine cannot simply be bought at a pharmacy. Only the attending physician can issue a prescription for Metipred. Indications for use must be strong (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 remedy is thatwith prolonged use, addiction or withdrawal symptoms may occur.
It develops when "Metipred" was prescribed for a long time and in large doses. In parallel, inhibition of its own hormones produced in the adrenal glands is observed. In this case, you should not immediately cancel the drug. It is recommended to gradually reduce the dose over a long period of time. Only under such conditions can normal hormone synthesis be restored.
