Urbason (Methylprednisolone): What It Is, Uses And Side Effects
Inflammations are very common in a large number of injuries and diseases, whether localized or generalized and can have a very diverse origin. They occur as a response of the immune system to an injury or infection, as a reaction to the entry into the body of particles that it identifies as harmful without being so, this being the case of allergic reactions or the cause of diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Although the majority of inflammations that we will have throughout life will be mild, the truth is that there are also processes that can put the person’s life at risk, something that has generated the need to create drugs that can stop the process. inflammatory. One of these drugs, relatively well known among the general population, is Urbason Let’s see what it is and how it works.
It is known as Urbason a type of steroid or corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drug whose main active ingredient is methylprednisolone. Specifically, it would be part of glucocorticoids, which work by reducing the activity of our body’s immune system and reducing the formation of substances that participate in inflammatory reactions.
This drug, of great potency and being an intermediate-life corticosteroid, has as its main mechanism of action the interaction of its components with the cell membrane to generate a complex that after entering the nucleus will contribute to increasing or stopping the synthesis of inflammatory proteins. .
It also alters metabolism, while inhibiting the action of vitamins such as D (something that in turn is linked to decreases in calcium levels). It also works as a vasodilator, decreasing the use of glucose in most systems and increasing blood sugar levels. It would act analogously to cortisone, the stress hormone, produced in the axis
This drug has several presentations and routes of administration, and can be used orally in tablet form or in case of emergency it can also be injected intravenously or intramuscularly.
It is also important to keep in mind that, and especially when it has been used continuously and in high doses, the treatment should never be stopped suddenly since can generate very serious syndromes that could even cause death
Main indications
Urbason is a drug of great potency and usefulness in the treatment of various conditions, both for the treatment of specific diseases and when immediate treatment with rapid effects is required (in the case of injectables, generally when there is a danger to life). .
Generally we are talking about a use focused on the treatment of inflammations and alterations in which an excessive or dangerous response by the immune system
Among the conditions for which it is prescribed are the treatment of anaphylactic shock, poisoning, adrenal insufficiency, lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis. It is also especially relevant in the treatment of severe edema such as cerebral edema (used, for example, in some traffic accidents) or those of the airways, as well as in response to rejection responses to transplants.
On many occasions it is used as a drug to help the action of chemotherapy or even radiotherapy. It is also used in Addison’s disease, in which there is hypofunction of the adrenal glands that can generate serious insufficiencies.
Other conditions in which it has proven useful are severe asthma attacks, COPD, different types of arthritis and rheumatism, anemia and hematological problems, hives or inflammatory processes such as hepatitis or optic neuritis.
As we have said, Urbason, although used relatively frequently in different conditions and alterations, as a corticosteroid, manifests itself as a high-potency drug that, although it can be very useful and even save lives, can also generate various types of of side effects.
Some of the most frequent are an increase in appetite and weight, as well as hyperglycemia and increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, along with fluid retention, hirsutism (hair growth), skin alterations, slowing of healing and alterations in the distribution of fats. Other common ones are muscle weakness, dizziness, menstrual cycle irregularity, sweating and fatigue
It must also be taken into account that it is a drug that decreases the response of the immune system, in such a way that it will sometimes facilitate the appearance of infections and diseases.
In addition can cause erectile dysfunction, hormonal problems, growth disorders, arrhythmias, thrombosis, seizures. muscle problems, ulcers or glaucoma. It also promotes osteoporosis, by reducing calcium levels, as we have previously mentioned.
Another type of side effects that Urbason can generate are those of a psychological nature: this drug is one of the steroidal anti-inflammatory or corticosteroids that has the greatest propensity to contribute to the appearance of symptoms, especially when it refers to variations in the mood.
Generally related to the dose used (it is generally considered that they are somewhat more frequent from 80 mg/day), some of the psychological symptoms that may appear They are mania (this being the most common), depression or psychosis, as well as confusional states.
Its sudden and non-gradual withdrawal can also generate serious consequences, among which we can find pain, breathing problems, loss of appetite, hypotension or hypoglycemia and even adrenocortical insufficiency that could lead to death.
The use of Urbason can be useful, but not everyone can take it since it can be dangerous for certain sectors of the population. To begin with, it is contraindicated for all those people who suffer from allergies to this type of drug.
Likewise, the elevation in blood glucose that it produces can be a danger for those patients who have diabetes, taking into account the need to regulate the insulin and medication used. Those with heart disease, patients who are going to undergo some type of surgery, should not take it or do so with caution and under medical recommendation.
It is also contraindicated or at least should be consulted in those people who have ulcers, infections or diseases such as herpes, glaucoma, liver disorders or in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding
It is also not recommended (unless necessary, such as in medical emergencies) in people with mood or psychotic disorders. If you are taking other drugs, you should consult with your doctor about whether or not to use it, since there are many medications that interact with Urbason.
