Dipropan for psoriasis: course of treatment and reviews

Diprospan is considered a highly effective remedy for psoriasis, as it belongs to the GCS category. This is a hormonal drug with a prolonged effect. The drug's multifaceted effect on metabolic processes helps the body adapt to the stressful effects of the environment.

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Indications of dipropan for psoriasis

Indications for the use of the drug include generalized psoriasis, as well as psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic erythroderma in severe forms.

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Release form

Available in ampoules with injection solution (volume 1 ml). The package contains 1 or 5 ampoules.

Diprospan injections for psoriasis

When carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to follow certain rules:

• Injections are performed only when indicated;
• They should be done only in a hospital, since complications such as a sharp drop in blood pressure or anaphylaxis may occur after the injection. In this case, timely assistance can only be provided in a clinic or during inpatient treatment;
• The dosage of injections must be followed very carefully.

Pharmacodynamics

Diprospan is a glucocorticoid with immunosuppressant, antiallergenic, anti-shock, anti-inflammatory and hyposensitizing properties. In addition, the drug has a mineralocorticoid effect, but the effect is weak and has no clinical significance when administered in therapeutic doses. The active component of betamethasone disodium phosphate accelerates the onset of the therapeutic effect of the drug.

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Pharmacokinetics

In addition to betamethasone disodium phosphate, the drug also contains betamethasone dipropionate. The first of them is capable of being quickly absorbed and is also easily hydrolyzed, as a result of which the therapeutic effect is obtained almost immediately. The time of elimination from the body is 24 hours. The second component first accumulates in the body, and then begins a gradual release. The duration of this process is 10 days, which determines the prolonged effect of this drug.

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Dosing and administration

To eliminate the disease, patients are prescribed injections of the drug in a dosage of 1 ampoule intramuscularly. The interval between procedures should last 14 days. The treatment course includes 3 procedures of Diprospan administration.

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Use of dipropan for psoriasis during pregnancy

Although the teratogenic effect of Diprospan has not been sufficiently studied, many gynecologists speak negatively about it. Most doctors are against its use in pregnant women. Diprospan, and other GCS, can pass through the placenta, and also penetrate into breast milk.

If the drug was prescribed before the start of pregnancy, after determining the condition, you should begin to gradually reduce the dosage of the drug.

Contraindications

The use of Diprospan is contraindicated in the following cases:

• for diabetes, tuberculosis, gastric ulcer;
• severe hypertension, mental illnesses;
• hypercortisolism syndrome and glaucoma;
• infections of viral origin;
• thromboembolic dysgenitalism, and in addition fungal diseases;
• Werlhof's disease, as well as purulent infections.

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Side effects of dipropan for psoriasis

With a short course of using Diprospan, the risk of developing severe side effects is very small, but in case of long-term use, they may occur. The following reactions may occur:

• Disorders of the central nervous system: feeling of depression or excitement, increased anxiety, neuroses;
• Gastrointestinal organs: disorders of the digestive system, as well as polyphagia;
• Metabolic disorders: osteoporosis, weight gain increases sharply, health deteriorates in patients with diabetes, infectious pathology becomes more complicated, children experience growth retardation, and corticoadrenal suppression develops.

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Overdose

Overdose of Diprospan in the treatment of psoriasis can cause the following symptoms:

• vomiting with nausea;
• sleep problems;
• an excited or euphoric state.

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Interactions with other drugs

In combination with NSAIDs, the risk of ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract increases.

Diprospan reduces the effect of diuretic drugs, insulin, vaccines, anticoagulants, and oral medications. The properties of the drug are enhanced in combination with hormonal contraceptives.

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Storage conditions

The medicine must be kept in a dark place, out of reach of children, at a temperature of 2-25°C. The medicine must not be frozen.

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Shelf life

The medicine may be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture.

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What can replace Diprospan for psoriasis?

There are a large number of different medications for psoriasis. Depending on the active ingredient contained in these drugs, they can be divided into several groups:

• immunosuppressants (such as Stelara, as well as Humira and Remicade);
• immunomodulators (such as thymalin and pyrogenal, as well as glutoxim);
• hepatoprotectors (for example, heptor, as well as heptral);
• antihistamines (for example, tavegil or chloropyramine);
• GCS (this is hydrocortisone, flosterone, and in addition, methylprednisolone and prednisolone).

Which is better? Diprospan or Kenalog for psoriasis

Both Kenalog and Diprospan are glucocorticosteroids, so their properties are similar. Test results showed that Diprospan is more effective than Kenalog, but it should be taken into account that it is slightly more expensive.

Reviews of Diprospan for psoriasis

Diprospan is prescribed for psoriasis very carefully, as it has many serious side effects. Therefore, the drug is prohibited to use on its own.

Reviews of people treated for psoriasis with Diprospan are quite ambiguous. Many note the positive effect of the drug, but at the same time there are many complaints that the disease subsequently worsens. In some patients, as a result of treatment with this drug, the disease transformed into a hormone-dependent form.

Reviews indicate that the drug leads to remission of the disease, but after each new injection its duration is reduced, and relapses of psoriasis become more pronounced.