Why is “metipred” prescribed for IVF and when is it canceled?
It is no secret that hormonal disorders and immune factors most often become causes of female infertility. Sometimes, when medicines cannot cope with the situation, a woman is recommended in vitro fertilization, in which doctors also have to withstand hormonal disorders and aggressive immunity, which perceives the embryo as alien objects. In this case, the patient may be recommended to take the drug "Metipred." That this such and how to accept it, we will tell in this material.
About the drug
Metipred is a Finnish-made drug. It belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroid hormones, the main active ingredient in the agent is methylprednisolone. Like most other drugs in the GCS group, Metipred has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and is also an excellent antihistamine drug and a regulator of certain hormones. In addition, the tool is considered a strong immunosuppressant, that is, the drug suppresses the activity of a person’s immunity, if this activity is shown to be overly aggressive.
Available in tablets, the content of metolprednisolone in each is 4 mg. In pharmacies you can buy plastic jars and glass bottles, which can contain both 30 tablets and 100 tablets.
The drug has widespread use. "Metipred" prescribed for various diseases and conditions. In gynecology, the tool is used when planning pregnancy caused by hormonal imbalance in a woman, in particular, with infertility against the background of exceeding the level of male sex hormones in the female body. I found the drug its use in IVF.
Purpose of appointment
“Metipred” is especially necessary if a woman has a history of miscarriages or previous IVF attempts have failed. It is no secret that a considerable percentage of IVF pregnancies are interrupted at the earliest periods due to the fact that the immunity of a woman rejects the fetus. In this case, “Metipred” will help to normalize the work of immunity, make it less aggressive, which will increase not only the chances of successful implantation, but also the likelihood of successful gestation before the birth.
Also a drug will be needed in the event that if a woman has a higher level of male sex hormone testosterone in the blood.
And, finally, the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug has a positive effect during the period of implantation of the embryo, and therefore the use of the drug is usually recommended from the day the embryo is transferred into the uterine cavity, and sometimes several days before the upcoming embryo transfer.
"Metipred" in the IVF protocol is used in combination with other hormonal drugs that are prescribed for various purposes - to increase the functional layer of the uterus (endometrium), to suppress ovarian function, to stimulate the growth of oocytes and stimulate their maturation.
Many of these drugs have side effects, which are manifested by edema, increased pressure, deterioration of health. In the IVF protocol, Metipred helps to level some of these “side effects” - removes puffiness, reduces allergic reactions to the components and the active substances of individual agents, suppresses inflammation.
Instructions for use
The dosage of methylprednisolone in preparation for IVF is determined individually.It all depends on the performance of the woman’s tests, her hormonal profile is especially important. Some patients are recommended to take the drug three months before the IVF cycle, some are prescribed in the cycle itself, and some only after embryo transfer.
Tablets are not recommended to chew, turn into powder before use. They need to be taken after meals in the morning.
An empty stomach is not allowed.
Cancel
If pregnancy occurs after IVF, you can not abruptly cancel the drug. This can trigger a sudden change in hormonal levels and cause miscarriage. With a confirmed pregnancy, “Metipred” is canceled gradually, reducing the dosage. The schedule for reducing the dosage is the attending physician, who is closely monitoring the status of the woman and the indicators of her laboratory tests during the cancellation process.
In some cases, after IVF “Metipred” it is recommended to take until delivery, with a gradual decrease in dosage to the minimum by the end of gestation.
Contraindications
There are conditions and diseases in which the drug is not prescribed. These conditions include:
- violation of the absorption and splitting of glucose;
- stomach ulcer;
- urolithiasis disease;
- low blood pressure;
- osteoroporosis and the effects of poliomyelitis.
In this case, other immunosuppressants are selected in the IVF protocol for the woman and anti-inflammatory therapy is performed separately.
Side effects and reviews
Manufacturers in the instructions for the drug noted that weight gain, lower blood pressure, the development of digestive problems, in particular, pancreatitis, are not excluded. When taking Metipred, a woman may experience an unstable psychological state, mood swings, insomnia.
According to reviews of patients, side effects were almost not felt. Only some women complain of headaches, nausea and a change in heart rate (rapid heartbeat) in the process of taking the drug.
Learn more about the drug "Metipred" you will learn from the following video.
