Urbason (Methylprednisolone): what it is, uses and side effects

Inflammation is very common in a large number of injuries and illnesses, whether localized or generalized and may have a very diverse origin. They are produced as a response of the immune system to an injury or infection, as a reaction to the entry into the body of particles that the identifies itself as harmful without being so, this being the case of allergic reactions or the cause of diseases such as sclerosis multiple.

Although most of the inflammations that we will have throughout life will be mild, the truth is that there are also processes in which they can put the life of the person 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.

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Urbano: what is it?

It is known as Urbason a type of steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or corticosteroid whose main active ingredient is methylprednisolone. Specifically, it would be part of the glucocorticoids, which work by reducing the activity of the system immunity of our organism 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 increase or stop protein synthesis inflammatory.

It also alters the metabolism, at the same time that it inhibits the action of vitamins such as D (something that in turn is linked to decreases in calcium levels). It also works as a vasodilator, decreases the use of glucose in most systems and increases the level of sugar in the blood. It would act in a similar way to cortisone, the stress hormone, produced in the axis

This drug has several presentations and routes of administration, being able to be used orally in the form of tablet or in case of emergency it can also be found as an intravenous or intramuscular injection.

It is also important to bear in mind that, and especially when it has been used continuously and in high doses, the treatment should never be stopped suddenly since It can generate very serious syndromes that could even cause death.

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main indications

Urbason is a highly potent and useful drug in the treatment of various conditions, both for the treatment of specific diseases such as when immediate treatment and rapid effects are required (in the case of injectables, generally when there is danger to the life).

In general we are talking about a use focused on the treatment of inflammations and alterations in which it occurs 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 edemas such as cerebral (it is 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 a hypofunction of the adrenal glands that can cause serious insufficiencies.

Other conditions in which it has been shown to be 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.

Side effects

As we have said, Urbason, although it is used relatively frequently in different conditions and alterations, as a corticosteroid that is manifested as a high-powered drug that, although it can be very useful and even save lives, can also generate various types of effects secondary.

Some of the most frequent are an increase in appetite and weight, as well as hyperglycemia and increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, along with retention loss of fluids, hirsutism (hair growth), skin disorders, slow healing and changes 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 It can cause erectile dysfunction, hormonal problems, growth disturbances, arrhythmias, thrombosis., seizures. muscle problems, ulcers or glaucoma. It also favors 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-inflammatories or corticosteroids that have a greater propensity to contribute to the appearance of symptoms, especially those that refer to variations in mood.

Generally related to the dose used (generally it is considered that they are somewhat more frequent from 80 mg/day), Some of the mental symptoms that can appear are mania (being this the most frequent), depression or psychosisas 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, low blood pressure or hypoglycemia and even adrenocortical insufficiency that could lead to death.

contraindications

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 who are allergic to this type of drug.

Likewise, the elevation of glycemia that it produces can be a danger for those patients who present diabetes, taking into account the need to regulate the insulin and medication used. Nor should people with heart disease, patients who are going to undergo some type of surgery, take it or do it with caution and under medical recommendation.

They also have it contraindicated or at least should be consulted in those people who present ulcers, infections or diseases such as herpes, glaucoma, liver disorders or in case of pregnancy or lactation.

It is also not recommended (except in cases of necessity, such as in medical emergencies) in people with mood or psychotic disorders. If you are taking other drugs, the possibility of using it or not should be consulted with your doctor, since there are many drugs that interact with Urbason.

Bibliographic references:

• Spanish Medicines Agency (2017). Technical sheet Urbason 16 mg tablets. [On-line]. Available in https://www.aemps.gob.es/cima/dochtml/ft/59123/FichaTecnica_59123.html#4-6-fertilidad-embarazo-y-lactancia.
• Spanish Medicines Agency (2017). Package leaflet: Information for the user Urbason 40 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection. Methylprednisolone [Online]. Available in: https://www.aemps.gob.es/cima/pdfs/es/p/34023/34023_p.pdf.
• Lozano, M., Pelegrín, C. and O'Neill, A. (1988). Effects of drugs for therapeutic use on the psyche. Judges for democracy.