Urbason

definition

Urbason® is the trade name of the active ingredient methylprednisolone and is used as a therapeutic glucocorticoid. The drug requires a prescription and can only be taken on the advice of a doctor.

effect

Glucocorticoids are produced naturally by the body Hormones from the Adrenal cortexthat bind to receptors in the cell and thus control the regulation of many important variables and functions in the human body. They do this by binding to a specific receptor to ensure that proteins and enzymes that are important for specific metabolic pathways are increasingly synthesized (transcribed).

The functions of the glucocorticoids include above all Maintaining blood sugar levels and the Inhibition of inflammatory, immunological, allergic and proliferative processes. Furthermore, glucocorticoids suppress the immune reaction. In addition, glucocorticoids have numerous other effects in the human body, they ensure that the body less sodium, but more potassium and Calcium is eliminated. The most famous biological representative is probably that Cortisol.

Methylprednisolone is manufactured and is semi-synthetic more anti-inflammatory more effective than the body's own cortisol.

Ingestion

Urbason® with the active ingredient it contains Methylprednisolone can orally be taken as a tablet, the daily dose is 4-160mg daily. Alternatively, Urbason® intravenous administered, whereby the daily dose can be chosen between 250 and 1000 mg.

Areas of application

The versatile therapeutic use of Glucocorticoids like Urbason® results from its numerous effects in our body. Most of all, Urbason® is because of its anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory), decongestant and anti-allergic effects applied.
Important therapeutic indications for Urbason® are Allergic and autoimmune diseases, Skin diseases as well as accompanying medication in the Cancer and pain therapy. The intravenous administration is with anaphylactic shock, Brain edema, to Relapse therapy at Multiple sclerosis, heavy Asthma attack and status asthmaticus as well as a few other life-threatening conditions are displayed.

Urbason® is often used in different Respiratory diseasessuch as asthma. Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory inflammation of the airways that is caused by attacks Spasms in the bronchial muscles (Bronchospasm) and increased mucus secretion Shortness of breath (Dyspnea) leads.
Up to 5% of adults and 10% of children in Germany suffer from asthma. Due to its anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) and anti-proliferative effects extends Urbason® the bronchi and ensures a swelling of the bronchial mucosa and thus counteracts shortness of breath. Urbason® can be administered orally for up to ten days in a row, depending on the severity of the disease, with a methylprednisolone content of 4-40mg. Other respiratory diseases that are an indication for Urbason® are the Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the chronic one Sarcoid, an acute inflammation of the Alveoli (Alveolitis) and diseases of the upper respiratory tract such as severe hay fever and allergic rhinitis (Rhinitis).
Urbason® can also be used for chronic bronchitis and Sinus infections (Sinusitis).

Another large area of ​​application for Urbason® are various skin diseases for which local (topical) treatment with glucocorticoids is not sufficient. These include allergic and apparently allergic reactions, allergic reactions related to infections such as hives (acute urticaria), shock-like (anaphylactoid) reactions; Serious skin diseases, some of which can destroy the skin, drug-related rashes (e.g. Steven-Johnson's syndrome), allergic contact eczema and inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), e.g. allergic vascular inflammation (vasculitis allergica).
Psoriasis vulgaris can also be treated with Urbason®, as can neurodermatitis.

Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect of Urbason® can cause autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus and rheumatic diseases such as arthritis, polyarthritis or psoriatic arthritis.
Finally, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can also be treated with Urbason®.

Hormone replacement treatment with Urbason® is also possible in the case of reduced or absent adrenal cortical function (adrenal insufficiency) for various causes (e.g. Addison's disease, adrenogenital syndrome, surgical removal of the adrenal glands, hypofunction of the pituitary gland).

Urbason® can also be used to suppress the body's own defenses (immunosuppression) after transplantation as part of conventional combination therapies, or as a supplementary measure for cytostatic or radiation therapy within the framework of existing schemes for combination therapy, palliative therapy (disease-relieving treatment) or antiemetic therapy ( Anti-vomiting treatment).

Side effects

The side effects of Urbason® mainly occur with long-term use and result from its numerous effects in the body. These include nausea and vomiting with high doses, with long-term use, weight gain up to trunk obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, cataracts, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and psychoses. In addition, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias can occur. The sudden discontinuation of cortisone after long-term therapy (longer than three to four weeks) can lead to secondary Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), which is why the therapy should be gradually discontinued.

Contraindications

Contraindications for Urbason® are Intolerances against any of the active ingredients, special care should be taken in the pregnancy and Lactation required because with children Growth inhibitions can occur, as well as with osteoporosis, hepatitis, Psychosis, difficult to adjust Diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure, as well as inflammatory skin diseases Viruses, bacteria and Mushrooms (Tuberculosis, syphilis, chickenpox, herpes zoster).