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

A potent Anti-Inflammatory drug that, although effective, can have serious side effects.

Inflammation is a very common occurrence in a large number of lesions 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 most of the inflammations that we will have throughout our lives will be mild, the truth is that there are also processes that can put the life of the person at risk, something that has generated the need to create drugs that can stop the inflammatory process. One such drug, which is relatively well known among the general population, is Urbason. Let's see what it is and how it works.

Urbason: what is it?

Urbason is known as a type of anti-inflammatory steroid or corticosteroid drug whose main active ingredient is methylprednisolone. whose main active ingredient is methylprednisolone. Specifically, it would be part of the glucocorticoids, which work by reducing the activity of our body's immune system and reducing the formation of substances involved in inflammatory reactions.

This drug, of great potency and being a corticoid of intermediate life, has as its main mechanism of action the interaction of its components with the cell membrane to generate a complex which, after entering the nucleus, will contribute to increase or slow down the synthesis of inflammatory proteins.

It also alters the metabolismIt also inhibits the action of vitamins such as D (which in turn is linked to decreases in calcium levels). It also functions as a vasodilator, decreases glucose utilization in most systems and increases blood sugar levels. It would act in a manner analogous to cortisone, the stress hormone, produced in the blood sugar axis.

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

It is also important to bear in mind that, especially when it has been used continuously and in high doses, the treatment should never be stopped suddenly since can generate syndromes of great severity that could even lead to 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 and rapid effects are required (in the case of injectables, generally when there is danger to life).

In general, we are talking about a use focused on the treatment of inflammations and alterations in which there is an excessive or dangerous response by the patient. an excessive or dangerous response by the immune system..

Among the conditions for which it is prescribed are the treatment of anaphylactic shock, intoxications, adrenal insufficiency, lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis. It is also particularly relevant in treatment of severe edema such as cerebral edema (it is used for example in some (it is used for example in some traffic accidents) or those of the airways, as well as in transplant rejection responses.

In 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 generate severe insufficiencies.

Other conditions in which it has been shown to be useful are severe asthmatic crises, COPD, different types of arthritis and rheumatism, anemias and hematological and hematological problems, urticaria or inflammatory processes such as hepatitis or optic neuritis.

Side effects

As we have said, Urbason, although relatively frequently used in different conditions and alterations, as a corticosteroid it is a high potency drug which, although it can be very useful and even save lives, can also generate various types 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, together with fluid retention, hirsutism (hair growth), skin alterations, slower healing and alterations in the distribution of fats. Other common symptoms are muscular weakness, dizziness, irregularity in the menstrual cycle, sweating and fatigue..

It should also be taken into account that it is a drug that decreases the response of the immune system, so that sometimes it will facilitate the appearance of infections and diseases.

Likewise, can also cause erectile dysfunction, hormonal problems, growth alterations, arrhythmias, thrombosis, convulsions, muscle problems, and other problems.muscular problems, ulcers or glaucoma. It also favors osteoporosis by reducing calcium levels, as mentioned above.

Another type of side effects that Urbason can generate are those of a psychological nature: this drug is one of the steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids most likely to contribute to the appearance of symptoms, especially those related to mood variations.

Generally related to the dose used (they are generally considered to be somewhat more frequent from 80 mg/day onwards), some of the psychic symptoms that may appear are mania (this being the most are mania (this being the most frequent), 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, respiratory problems, loss of appetite, hypotension or hypoglycemia, and even adrenocortic insufficiency. and even adrenocortical insufficiency that could lead to death.

Contraindications

The use of Urbason can be useful, but not everyone can take it because 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.

Also, the elevation of blood glucose levels that it produces can be a danger for those patients who present a danger for those patients with diabetesIt should be taken into account the need to regulate the insulin and medication used. It should also not be taken or should be taken with caution and under medical recommendation by people with heart disease, patients who are going to undergo some type of surgery.

It is also contraindicated or at least should be consulted in people with ulcers, infections or diseases such as herpes, glaucoma, hepatic alterations, or in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding. in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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

Bibliographic references:

• Spanish Medicines Agency (2017). Technical data sheet Urbason 16 mg tablets. [Online]. Available at https://www.aemps.gob.es/cima/dochtml/ft/59123/FichaTecnica_59123.html#4-6-fertilidad-embarazo-y-lactancia.
• Spanish Medicines Agency (2017). Package leaflet: user information Urbason 40 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection. Methylprednisolone [Online]. Available at: 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.