Diprospan is a steroid that prevents the body from releasing various substances that have a potential of causing inflammation. It is mainly used in the treatment of a large number of skin conditions including eczema, chronic inflammation, psoriasis, allergic reactions, autoimmune reactions and more.
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Composition of Diprospan
Diprospan is a transparent viscous suspension that appears slightly yellowish in color. It comes in ampoules measuring 1 ml. The composition of diprospan is as follows:
Active Ingredients
- Betamethasone sodium phosphate
- Betamethasone dipropionate
- Auxiliary substances
- Water
- Polysorbate 80
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hydrophosphate dihydrate
- Benzyl alcohol
- Disodium edentate
- Carmellose sodium
- Macrogol
- Methylparahydroxybenzoate
- Propyl parahydroxybenzoate
- Hydrochloric acid
When Should Diprospan be Administered?
Diprospan should be used in the following instances.
- Allergic Reactions
It helps in controlling severe allergic reactions that are impossible to be controlled via the regular conventional methods. The cases of allergic reactions where it can be used include atopic dermatitis, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, asthma, contact dermatitis, transfusion reactions and serum sickness.
- Dermatological Diseases
It can be used for a number of dermatological diseases, including pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, mycosis, fungoides, exfoliative erythroderma and severe erythema multiforme.
- Endocrine Disorders
It can be used in cancer-associated hypercalcemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and non-suppurative thyroiditis.
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
Diprospan can be very helpful when a patient is suffering a critical phase of ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis.
- Hematologic Disorders
It can be used for acquired hematologic disorders such as diamond black fan anemia, hemolytic anemia, pure red cell aplasia and even in some cases of secondary thrombocytopenia.
- Neurological Disorders
Diprospan can be used in treating miscellaneous trichinosis having a myocardial or neurologic association. It can also be used for tuberculous meningitis caused due to subarachnoid blockage. In this case, it can be effective when used with antituberculous chemotherapy.
- Neoplastic Diseases
Dirpsopan is also used for lymphomas and leukemias.
- Nervous System Disorders
Diprospan is generally used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and cerebral edema that has a link to craniotomy or metastatic and primary stages of a brain tumor.
- Ophthalmic Disorders
Ophthalmic diseases such as temporal arteritis, sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitis, and conditions causing inflammation in the ocular region can be cured by diprospan.
- Renal Diseases
Diprospan can be used in inducing dieresis and for proteinuria remission caused during lupus erythematosus or idiopathic nephritic syndrome.
- Respiratory Diseases
It helps in alleviating the symptoms of symptomatic sarcoidosis and idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia. It can also be helpful in treating Berylliosis and disseminated or pulmonary tuberculosis when used together with antituberculous chemotherapy.
- Rheumatic Disorders
Diprospan can be used as adjunctive therapy for a short term in cases of acute rheumatic carditis, psoriatic arthritis, acute gouty arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and more. In some cases, only low doses are required.
- It can also be used in the treatment of polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and dermatomyositis.
Methods of Diprospan Administration
Disprospan can be administered through injections in the following ways:
- Intramuscularly
- Intraarticularly
- Intradermally
- Intramuscularly
- Periarticularly
- Intravesually
- Interstially
In fact, the method administration may vary according to from individual to the other and according to the condition of the disease. The administration method may also be changed after observing the feedback shown by the patient.
Diprospan Dosage
- For any emergency use, the recommended dosage for diprospan is 2 ml
- For dermatological issues, the recommended dosage is 1 ml
- For respiratory issues, it should be used in a dosage of 1 to 2 ml. This implies to a number of issues, including hay fever, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic bronchitis.
- 1 to 2 ml of the drug should be used for the treatment of both chronic and acute bursitis. If the problem persists, it can also be used in repeated doses. If diprospan does not give any satisfactory results, it would be advisable to discontinue the drug and opt for an alternative.
- For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, taking an intraarticular injection with a dosage of 0.5 to 2 ml can be very helpful in alleviating the pain and immobility. For large joints, use 1 to 2 ml, for small joints use 0.25 to 0.5 ml and for small joints, use 0.5 to 2 ml.
- In case of dermatological diseases, a dosage of 0.2 ml can be injected directly into the affected area. It should be noted that the total amount of drug administered throughout the week should not be more than 1ml.
- For spurs, use 0.5 ml
- For improving the mobility of the big toe, use 0.5 ml
- For tenosynovitis, use 0.5 ml
- For synovial cyst, use 0.25 to 0.5 ml
- For acute gout arthritis, use 0.5 to 1.0 ml
Side Effects of Diprospan Administration
Some of the side effects caused by diprospan have been mentioned below:
- It can result in a body weight increase together with the release of potassium, increased excretion of calcium, hypokalemic alkalosis, fluid retention, lipomatosis and a negative balance of nitrogen
- Increase in the blood pressure
- Failure of the cardiovascular system
- Vision issues such as increased intraocular pressure, posterior subcapsular cataract, glaucoma, exophthalmos, and blindness
- Disorders of the digestive system, including flatulence, pancreatitis, digestive tract ulcers, and hiccups
- Problems with the peripheral and central nervous system such as mood changes, euphoria, insomnia, convulsions, dizziness, headache, and personality disorders
- It can also affect the musculoskeletal and endocrine system leading to problems such as secondary adrenal insufficiency, steroid diabetes, disturbed menstrual cycle, Itenko Cushing syndrome, and delay in the sexual development among children, intrauterine growth disorder and a lowering of the tolerance to carbohydrate intake. Musculoskeletal problems include joint instability, muscle weakness, tubular bone fractures, tendon ruptures, osteoporosis, spine fracture, and increase in the myasthenic symptoms and loss in the mass of muscles.
- Diprospan can also lead to dermatological issues such as petechia, skin thinning and atrophy, allergic reactions, delay in the healing of wounds, increased perspiration rate, dermatitis, ecchymosis, and steroid acne, increased risk for candidiasis and pyoderma and striae.
- It can also result in arterial hypotension, angioedema and anaphylactic reactions.
- The patients may experience blood rushing to the face immediately after taking the injection.
Diprospan Contraindications
People with a hypersensitivity to the auxiliary as well as the active ingredients used in diprospan are advised not to use the drug. It is also contraindicated in the following cases
- Infectious arthritis
- Systemic mycoses
- Injection to the infected surfaces
- Injection to the intervertebral space
- Cases of unstable joint
In addition to this, people with the following conditions are advised to use the drug with caution.
- Ulcerative colitis
- Cirrhosis of liver
- Diverticulitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Peptic ulcer
- Severe myasthenia gravis
- Osteoporosis
- Renal insufficiency
- Arterial hypertension
- Thrombocytopenic purpura
In case of breastfeeding and pregnant women, the prescriptions are given only if the therapy surpasses the risk by a significant degree.
Diprospan Drug Interactions
Diprospan may lead to some interactions if it is used at the same time with other counter products or prescription drugs. This will not only reduce the effectiveness of the drug, but will also increase the risk of developing various side effects. Therefore, before using diprospan, it is advisable that you inform your doctor regarding all the different supplements and drugs that you have been using on the side. This can help in better management of the interactions. Some of the most common interactions of diprospan are with:
- Vitamins
- Agents used during cancer chemotherapy
- Topical ointments.
Overdose Side Effects of Diprospan
Long-term usage of diprospan, leading to an overdose can result in some adverse side effects which are mentioned below:
- Bloating, intestinal clicks, nausea, and vomiting
- Irritability, depression, insomnia, neurotic syndrome, anxiety
- Development of brittle bones, retarded growth in children, edema, and the onset of diabetes
- Decreased immunity in the body.
- Extremes of overdose can also cause high blood pressure, osteoporosis and adrenal cortex atrophy.
Instructions for Use
Before you start the use of diprospan injection, have a consultation with the doctor and inform him/her regarding all the medications you have been using for your existing medical conditions. This can include vitamins and even herbal health supplements. If there is anything such as surgery or a pregnancy coming up, make sure you inform your doctor regarding this. Some specific health conditions can increase your risk of side effects. The drug should be taken strictly as per the guidance given by the doctor. You can also follow the instructions given on the product. The dosages are different for different medical conditions. If the problem persists despite timely administrations, it should be brought to the doctor’s notice. It should be used under close medical supervision, especially in the following cases
- Cataracts
- Breastfeeding
- Glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Circulation disorder
- Pregnancy
- Immunity disorder
Storage Guidelines
Diprospan should be stored away from direct light, in a dry place with temperature varying between 15 and 25 degree Celsius. The storage area should be away from the reach of children. The maximum shelf life of the drug, starting from its date of manufacture, is two years.
