DIPROGENTA: COMPOSITION, INDICATIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS - MEDICINE

Diprogenta is the trade name for the combination of betamethasone dipropionate and gentamicin sulfate. It is a drug that has been designed to treat inflammations due to dermatosis that are also accompanied by infections. It comes in the form of a cream, so it only has topical use, that is, external.

Based on the above, it can be said that Diprogenta is a product that should not be ingested, since it is a solely and exclusively dermatological drug; that is, it is only used to be used on the skin.

Furthermore, Diprogenta has pharmacochemical properties that must be carefully observed before being administered in cases where there are clear contraindications and warnings of adverse reactions (in other words, side effects).

Also, Diprogenta has pharmacological aspects that should not be overlooked. While this cream has no known interaction with other products, Diprogenta has toxicological repercussions on the human body.

That is to say, in doses higher than those indicated by the doctor, this medicine can negatively affect the health of the patient, especially if its treatment is carried out without the proper supervision of the dermatologist.

Composition

Diprogenta is a cream made of a corticosteroid (a type of steroid) that has anti-inflammatory properties and an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. As already mentioned, there are two active ingredients in Diprogenta: betamethasone dipropionate and gentamicin sulfate.

Each gram of this drug is distributed respectively in 0.5 milligrams of the first and 1 milligram of the second, not including the excipients that are contained within the formula.

Excipients serve multiple purposes that cannot be described here. But it is worth noting that Diprogenta has, for example, purified water (or distilled, as it is also known), white petroleum jelly (which explains the color and texture of the cream), ether, phosphoric acid and liquid paraffin, without mention others more.

These ingredients appear equally in the Diprogenta presentations, as in the 30-gram tubes and in the 60-gram tubes, among others.

Pharmacology

There are two main properties of Diprogenta: the pharmacodynamic, related to the physiological and biochemical effects, and the pharmacokinetic, related to the displacement of the drug in the human body.

In pharmacodynamics, Diprogenta is characterized by having anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antiproliferative and bactericidal properties. This means, in other words, that this drug not only deflates the skin, but also rid it of harmful microorganisms.

For its part, the pharmacokinetic properties of Diprogenta imply that it is easier and faster to absorb when the skin where it is applied is healthy. There are various factors that can alter this process, but in general it develops normally, that is, the active principles of the cream pass into the bloodstream, then into the liver and from there are expelled through the urine (in laboratory experiments carried out in mice, it is from bile).

All the studies that have been carried out in human beings have shown without a doubt that the best route of application of Diprogenta is the topical one, which is external, instead of the oral route.

This is so for a compelling reason; because the active principles of this cream are not well absorbed in the intestines, hence it does not make sense that this drug is manufactured in tablets. Consequently, Diprogenta has been shown to be better metabolized in the skin.

Indications

Diprogenta is used mainly in those skin conditions that are inflammatory such as dermatosis, which is a disorder that yields to the action of the active principles of this cream.

It is also used to fight psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin diseases caused by any class of microorganisms that are vulnerable to gentamicin. In no way should this medicine be used outside of these specifications (see section 7).

Dosage

Although the exact dose of Diprogenta is determined by the doctor for sure, it is usually administered in adults and young people over 12 years of age (there are contraindications for children, see sections 5 and 7, below). twice daily.

This application should only be done on the affected area, with thin layers of cream covering the skin lesion. It is recommended that the treatment last no more than two weeks.

Contraindications

Apart from the universal prohibition in case of allergy to the components (which is common in medicines), the use of Diprogenta is contraindicated in the following circumstances:

Patients infected with syphilis, chickenpox, tuberculosis, herpes and related diseases.
When there are fungi on the patient's skin.
In children (some advise against its use in children under 12 years of age; others, for their part, suggest that the drug should not be used in children under 1 year of age). Diprogenta is not a cream for pediatric use.
Patients with dermatitis and skin inflammations of this type on the face, such as rosacea.
In people with skin atrophy problems.
On parts of the skin that show reactions to vaccines, such as inflammation and redness.

Adverse reactions

Diprogenta does not have any undesirable effect on the patient when driving machines and vehicles, hence it can be used without problems in that sense. However, this cream can have adverse reactions that do not occur in all people, but in very exceptional or specific cases.

For example, Diprogenta can cause changes in skin color and even allergies, but these symptoms are rare and therefore do not appear very frequently.

Although Diprogenta can cause itching, swollen red spots (erythema), tenderness, and irritation, these symptoms of gentamicin treatment have rarely been a reason to stop using this medicine.

However, the abuse of corticosteroids, as well as their use in large areas, especially if it is with dressings (external use remedies that are covered with bandages, gauze, etc.), can lead to various adverse reactions on the skin., such as:

Cracking (cracking).
Burning
Discoloration (known to doctors as hypopigmentation) and maceration (skin with a soft, weak, moist texture).
Secondary skin infections.
Dryness (dry skin)
Acne.
Hypertrichosis (excessive hair that is known as "werewolf disease").
Telangiectasia (the appearance of blood vessels that are usually small and dilated).
Abnormal or malformed growth and / or development (atrophy).
Dermatitis around the mouth (perioral), with vesicles or pustules (miliaria, rash) and contact allergy.
Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles, which give hair growth).
Stretch marks.

Additionally, the absorption of Diprogenta through the skin can also generate adverse reactions that extend to various parts of the human body that are not treated in the patient.

This happens because the active ingredients dissolve and pass into the bloodstream, which means that they are distributed or concentrated in other organs and tissues that are healthy. Consequently, additional effects may occur from the use of corticosteroids. Among them are:

Cushing's syndrome.
Problems with blood glucose, such as hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) and glycosuria (glucose in the urine).
Increased blood pressure (high blood pressure).
Increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Hair loss (alopecia)
Increased activity in the thyroid, leading to hyperthyroidism.
General sensitivity problems in the senses (paresthesia), such as tingling and numbness.
Edema (commonly known as fluid retention).
Hypokalemia (that is, reduced levels of potassium in the blood).

There are adverse effects of Diprogenta that are not related to its use according to the doses indicated by the doctor, but due to overdose.

A single overdose is not enough to cause serious disorders as these are completely reversible through treatment that relieves symptoms. But indiscriminate use of Diprogenta can cause alterations in the functions of the kidneys, apart from lesions on the skin from bacteria and fungi (that is, bacterial resistance).

Precautions

First of all, the use of Diprogenta must take into account the aforementioned contraindications and adverse reactions that were explained above, especially in pregnancy, lactation and in children under 12 years of age.

In special cases where there may be an allergy or hypersensitivity to the components of this drug, it is preferable that its use is under the guidance of a doctor who makes an objective balance of the risks and benefits of said drug.

However, it should be noted that there are a number of highly recommended measures and considerations when using Diprogenta, which must be followed to the letter. These are:

The application of Diprogenta in large areas of the skin, and even more so if this is done by covering the cream with dressings (gauze, sanitary adhesive strips, etc.), makes its active principles are absorbed faster and in more parts of the human body. This makes the patient more vulnerable to the side effects of the drug. Therefore, Diprogenta should only be used in specific areas of the skin, which after treatment should not be covered by bandages of any kind.
Diprogenta is a medicine that is not indicated for use on the face, eyes, mucous membranes (nostrils, etc.), genitalia and much less in the so-called intertriginous areas (that is, those parts of the skin that are rubbed when contact, such as the armpit, the inside of the elbow, etc.), which lend themselves to the accumulation of bacteria and fungi that could develop resistance, which would worsen health instead of improving it.
The use of Diprogenta in cases of psoriasis accompanied by infections should be careful and under strict medical supervision.
Any use of this medicine in conditions of a different nature will only camouflage its symptoms and hinder the diagnosis of the dermatologist. Diprogenta should only be applied in those indications for which it was created (see section 2 of this article).
Under no circumstances should Diprogenta be used on open wounds.
The active ingredients in this medicine, like corticosteroids, have hormonal effects that do not affect adults much. In children, on the other hand, Diprogenta has more aggressive reactions that can delay their normal growth. It is for this precise reason why this drug should not be administered to children under 12 years of age.

Interactions

As far as it has been known, Diprogenta cream does not have any kind of interaction with other medications, regardless of their type. Diprogenta has not been shown to interact with other chemicals that can be ingested orally, such as alcohol or drugs.

In any case, it is highly recommended that the patient tell his doctor if he is taking drugs, in order to evaluate potential adverse effects with their application to the skin.

Attention

This article is only intended to give general information about Diprogenta, hence the pharmaceutical terminology will not be used much. Since Diprogenta is a product that comes in different presentations, it will be discussed in a very global way.

It should be noted that Diprogenta is a registered trademark in the name of the defunct Schering-Plow, so this writing is not an official publication of the company and its author does not act on its behalf.

That is to say, consult a specialist first if you have a condition that can be treated with Diprogenta; do not use if you do not need it or if your doctor has not told you to.

It is also important to limit what the leaflets that are printed on all medicines say: you must always go to the doctor if there are adverse effects, if you have an allergy to any of its components and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. See the references section for details.

References

Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (2011a). Diprogenta. Madrid Spain. Government of Spain; Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. Consulted on January 31, 2017, at: msd.es.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. (review, 2010). Betamethasone Topical. Maryland, United States. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved January 31, 2017, at: medlineplus.gov.
Diprogenta (2015). PRVademecum. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Clyna SA Consulted on January 31, 2017, at: ar.prvademecum.com.
McVan, Barbara (1995). Pharmaceutical references: reference manual for health professionals (Francisco Balderrama Encimas, trad.). Mexico DF, Mexico. Modern Manual.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (No year). Gentamicin. Maryland, United States. US National Library of Medicine, PubChem Compound Database. Retrieved January 31, 2017, from: pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Rodríguez Carranza, Rodolfo (1999). Academic Vademecum of Medicines (3rd ed.). Mexico DF, Mexico. MacGraw-Hill Interamericana.
Pharmaceutical Vademecum IPE On-Line (2017). Diprogenta. Mexico DF, Mexico. Editorial Multicolor SA Consulted on January 31, 2017, at: medicaments.com.mx.

DIPROGENTA: COMPOSITION, INDICATIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS - MEDICINE - 2025