"Flosteron": instructions for use (injections), reviews, contra-indications

What is the purpose of the drug "Flosteron"? Instructions for use (injections), reviews will be presented later. Also we will tell you about the composition of this drug, what patients are saying about it, whether it has side effects and what contraindications should be known before using the medicine for the intended purpose.

Composition of the medical device, packaging and form of release

What form of release does the "Flosteron" medication have? Instructions for use (injections), reviews of experts say that this tool can be purchased only in the form of a suspension that is intended for injection.

The active substances of this drug are the following: betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate. The suspension is sold in ampoules, which are placed in contoured plastic packages.

Pharmacological characteristics of the drug

What is a tool like "Flosteron"? Instructions for use (injections), doctors say that the effectiveness of this medication is due to its composition.

Betamethasone is a synthetic GCS. It has desensitizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-allergic, immunosuppressive and antitoxic action. Also, the drug increases the excitability of the nervous system, reduces the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes, increases the number of erythrocytes (due to enhanced production of erythropoietins).

This agent easily interacts with cytoplasmic receptors, stimulates the synthesis of RNA, and forms a complex that penetrates into the nuclei of cells.

Mechanism of action

How does the Flosteron drug work for injections? He takes an active part in almost all metabolic processes of the body.

Lipid exchange. The drug increases the synthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as fatty acids (higher). It redistributes fat and leads to the formation of hypercholesterolemia.

Protein metabolism . The drug "Flosteron", the composition of which would be presented above, reduces the amount of protein in the plasma. In this case, it increases the coefficient of albumin and globulin, increases the synthesis of albumins in the kidneys and liver, and also increases protein catabolism in muscle tissues.

Carbohydrate metabolism . What do experts say about this drug? What about it leave reviews? "Flosteron" is a unique medication that increases the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive tract, increases the activity of the synthesis of aminotransferases and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, which leads to the activation of gluconeogenesis, and also increases the flow of glucose from the liver into the blood.

Water-electrolyte exchange . Treatment with "Flosteron" promotes the retention of Na + and water in the body, stimulates the excretion of K, Reduces the absorption of Ca ²⁺ from the digestive tract, flushes it from the bones, and also increases excretion by the kidneys.

Properties of the medicament

What are the properties of the drug Flosteron? Instructions for use (injections), reviews inform you that when used, the medicine has the following effects:

• Anti-inflammatory. This effect is associated with a decrease in the number of mast cells that produce hyaluronic acid, as well as inhibition of inflammatory mediators, which are released by eosinophils.
• Anti-allergic. Such an effect develops in response to suppression of the secretion and synthesis of mediators of allergy, as well as inhibition of the release of basophils histamine and mast cells.
• Antitoxic and anti-shock. Such an effect arises against the background of increased blood pressure, a decrease in the permeability of vascular walls, and the activation of liver enzymes.
• Immunodepressive. Such an effect is due to inhibition of the release of cytokines from macrophages and lymphocytes.

Pharmacokinetics of the agent

How long does the drug in question take up? What do the reviews say about this? "Flosteron" is a medication for intra-articular injection. After using the drug, its maximum concentration in the plasma is reached in about half an hour.

The drug easily binds to proteins, and also passes through the histohematological barriers, including the placental barrier.

Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. In this case, mainly inactive metabolites are formed. It is excreted through the kidneys, as well as in small amounts, together with bile and breast milk.

Indication of the drug

Can I use the "Flosteron" medication for psoriasis, arthritis and other diseases? The list of indications of this tool will be presented below.

As a local treatment:

• For intraarticular administration in the presence of synovitis, as well as with other rheumatic degenerative diseases (in no case can it be used for arthrosis of the hip joints) ;
• For periarticular and intraarticular administration in rheumatic inflammatory diseases (seronegative spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis in systemic connective tissue disease), psoriatic arthritis with tendosynovitis and joint damage, posttraumatic arthritis and crystalline arthritis;
• For the treatment of inflammatory lesions of the periarticular tissues (epicondylitis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, plaque fasciitis and tendonitis);
• For introduction into the lesion in the treatment of skin diseases (if there is no reaction to other methods of local therapy): psoriasis, sclerosing folliculitis, alopecia areata, keloids, coin-like eczema, annular granuloma, flat red lichen, skin sarcoidosis, neurodermatitis, diabetic Lipodystrophy and lupus erythematosus discoid.

As a systemic treatment:

• Systemic effect of the drug "Flosteron" is used only for certain allergic diseases (Quincke's edema, allergic rhinitis, insect bites, asthmatic status, allergic reactions to medications).

Medicinal product "Flosteron": contraindications to use

Before using the drug in question, you should always read the attached instructions. This is due to the fact that this medication has a large number of side effects. Let's consider their list right now:

• osteoporosis;
• Peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach, diverticulitis, intestinal anastamosis;
• glaucoma;
• Thrombophlebitis;
• The Itenko-Cushing syndrome;
• tuberculosis;
• Condition after surgery and serious injuries;
• diabetes;
• Thrombocytopenic purpura idiopathic (only for intramuscular injection);
• Acute fungal, bacterial and viral infections (if not treated properly);
• Postvaccinal period (2 months before and for two weeks after);
• Absence of symptoms of inflammation in the joint;
• Periartrikulyarnye infection, infectious (or so-called septic) inflammatory process in the joints;
• Over-joint fracture of bones;
• Joint instability as a result of arthritis;
• Previous arthroplasty;
• Necrosis (aseptic) of the epiphyses of bones forming the joint;
• Pronounced joint deformation and bone destruction;
• Introduction to the Achilles tendon;
• Lactation period;
• Bleeding pathological character;
• Increased human sensitivity to betamethasone, as well as any other component of the agent.

In view of the fact that the drug "Flosteron" contains benzyl alcohol, it is forbidden to use it against newborns, as well as children under three years of age.

Methods of application and dosage

The medicinal preparation "Flosteron" with psoriasis (reviews about the drug will be presented below), as well as other diseases are used parenterally. In other words, the medicament in question can be used for intraarticular, periarticular and intradermal administration. It should also be noted that in exceptional cases this agent is administered intramuscularly.

The dose of the drug for adults and small children is set individually. Its volume depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's response, the size and location of the joint, and so on.

Periarticular and intraarticular administration:

• Large joints (usually hip) - 1-2 ml;
• Large joints (humeral, knee, ankle) - 1 ml;
• Middle joints (elbow, wrist) - 0.5-1 ml;
• Small joints (interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, sternoclavicular) - 0,25-0,5 ml. Acute gouty arthritis requires the use of 0.5 to 1 ml of the drug.

Injections into large joints should be done no more than 3-4 times a year. Single dose of the drug should not be above 0.2 ml per cm ² .

Local infiltration:

• Tendonitis and tenosynovitis - 0.5 ml;
• Bursitis - about 0.25-1 ml (in the acute stage up to 2 ml);
• Fibrositis is about 0.5-1 ml.

The drug is used every 1-2 weeks. If required, the drug is mixed with a local anesthetic in one syringe.

Systemic administration for allergies:

• Single dose - from 1 to 2 ml (only intramuscularly).

The medication is injected deep into the gluteus muscle.

Children from 3 to 5 years of age, the initial dosage is 2 mg, and 6-12 years - 4 mg.

Overdose

In overdose, the following symptoms may occur in patients: agitation, nausea, sleep disorders, vomiting, depression and euphoria. With prolonged use of the drug in increased dosages, the drug causes myopathy, osteoporosis, fluid retention in the body, Itenko-Cushing's syndrome, increased blood pressure and suppression of the adrenal cortex. For treatment, it is necessary to reduce the amount of the drug, and then completely cancel it.

Side effects of the agent

The drug "Flosteron" during pregnancy is prohibited. This is due to the fact that this medication has a huge number of side effects. They can manifest themselves from all systems and bodies.

• Endocrine system: hirsutism, a decrease in glucose tolerance, delay in sexual development in adolescents and children, steroid diabetes and so on.
• The digestive tract: erosive esophagitis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, pancreatitis, nausea, depression, etc.
• Vessels and heart: arrhythmia, hypercoagulation, bradycardia, vein thrombosis, etc.
• Nervous system: hallucinations, headache, manic-depressive psychosis, depression, dizziness, disorientation, pseudotumor of the cerebellum, euphoria, nervousness, paranoia, etc.
• Sensory organs: trophic changes in the cornea, sudden loss of vision, subclusular cataract, eye infections, diplopia, exophthalmos and so on.
• Metabolism: hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, fluid retention and sodium in the body, weight gain.
• Musculoskeletal system: muscle tendon rupture, growth retardation in children, osteoporosis, steroid myopathy, weakness of proximal muscles, decreased muscle mass.
• Skin and mucous membranes: skin atrophy, petechiae, thinning of the skin, ecchymosis, steroid acne, slow healing of wounds.

Drug Interactions

Before using the drug under consideration it is necessary to find out whether it is possible to use the drug "Flosteron" simultaneously with other medicines.

• Blockade of muscle increases with the simultaneous use of other GCS.
• The efficacy of betamethasone is markedly reduced if it is administered together with phenobarbital, rifampicin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
• The joint use of the drug "Flosteron" and ritodrine is contraindicated, since this combination can cause pulmonary edema.
• With a single application with antiviral vaccines (live), the risk of infections and virus activation increases.
• The drug increases the toxicity of asparaginase, reduces the effect of somatotropin, and also reduces the metabolism of cyclosporine.

"Flosteron" or "Diprospan": what is better?

The active substance in both means is the same, and the composition is similar. But despite this, the cost of the first is much less than the second. This is partly due to the manufacturer of the drug. However, some experts say that the drug "Flosteron" is more effective. At the same time, I would like to note that there is a rather large number of positive responses about the "Diprospan" medication. Patients claim that this drug has fewer side effects. It practically does not cause allergic reactions and is relatively well tolerated. However, they do not speak very well about the drug "Flosteron", referring to its inefficiency. However, it should be said that everything here is purely individual.

By the way, the question of replacing one remedy with another should be decided only after consultation with the attending physician.

Analogs means

In addition to the drug "Diprospan", the drug "Flosteron" has other analogues. These include the following medicines: Acriderm, Betamethasone sodium phosphate, Acriderm Genta, Betamethasone valerate, Betnoveit, Celederm, Beloderm, Betamethasone dipropionate, Beloderm Express, Celeston, Diprospan, Betazon, Celestoderm-V, Betamethasone, Betliben, and Kuterid.