For people with back pain, the patch is an easy to use, affordable, effective and safe dosage form. He is incapable of curing the disease or removing the cause of the discomfort, because. This is just one important link in the treatment complex. The effect of the patch is to eliminate or alleviate the painful symptoms of the disease, improve the quality of life at home without the help of a medical professional, take harmful pillsto the gastrointestinal mucosa or cause pain. Injections have many side effects and contraindications. Without negatively affecting other systems and organs, the back pain patch delivers medication to the correct location, providing sufficient concentrations to develop therapeutic effects and directly targeting the source of pain.
Attributes and types of putty
Patches are a relatively new type of drug related to the transdermal system.
Its distinctive feature is a unique structure that has several advantages:
- easy to use, easy to put on - invisible to others, protects freedom of movement, comfortable in treatment (depending on product type and expected effect, patch can stay on skin for 1 hour to 2 hours)-3 days);
- active factors quickly penetrate the superficial blood vessels through the upper layers of the skin, begin to work purposefully and faster than with oral forms;
- When applied to the skin, systemic effects are produced, but these substances are absorbed into the inferior vena cava or superior vena cava, bypassing the liver and gastrointestinal tract, and do not undergo a complex biotransformation. metabolism (primary metabolism in the liver and stomach), in which the drug is broken down and often loses its pharmacological activity;
- ability to slowly release the active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, providing a longer contact time. This occurs due to the continuous delivery of the drug to the body at a rate that produces a constant therapeutic concentration and is close to the minimum therapeutic concentration of the drug in the blood;
- the absence of withdrawal syndrome with a clear end to the application;
- the possibility of combination with drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures and other treatments;
- The release control and prolonged action of the back pain patch allows to reduce the frequency of prescribed medication. This, in turn, minimizes the systemic and local side effects characteristic of long-term repeated use, the presence and intensity of cumulative effects, and avoids possible attenuation. have pharmacological effects.
Due to its benefits, transdermal therapy is rapidly gaining popularity. Officially, dozens of medical adhesive tapes with different active ingredients have been registered in the world. All available patches for the treatment of back pain, based on composition and principle of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, because many of them act by several mechanisms and produce a complex effect, when the influence of one positive component is supplemented by the action of the other. . On the pharmaceutical market, patches of domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented.
In pharmacies you can find products of the following brands that specialize in the production of complete drugs in dosage forms, completely ready for external use in the form of patches:
- offensive behavior;
- with heat-reflective coating, dry heat;
- with non-steroidal or other anti-inflammatory agents;
- with the addition of medicinal herbs and oils;
- based on substances of chondroprotective action;
- analgesics with local anesthetics;
- Nanotechnology.
Overview of the most popular patches
The development and deployment of transdermal therapy systems has changed the idea of the patch as a simple protective patch. The presence of a drug reservoir has made the patch an important element in the symptomatic treatment of low back pain and an alternative to the parenteral and oral route. There are many possible reasons for back pain and worsening. This can be caused by problems with the musculoskeletal system, internal diseases, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infections, back injuries, stress, changesrelated to age.
In order not to aggravate the situation, the pain cannot be ignored, it rarely goes away on its own. Treatment must be timely and competent - an integrated approach is required. Depending on the type and severity of pain, their probable cause, the physiological features of the body, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug.
Only a specialist, after thorough investigation and examination, can determine which medical patch is better, because. They differ in their principles of operation and tasks. Brief description and characteristics of the most commonly prescribed pain relief patches for back treatment:
- Pepper - the most popular, well proven. Cheap and effective. The transparent, hypoallergenic liquid-gel patch is securely fixed. After 2 minutes, an increase in heat will be felt when the gel film is applied. Patches based on capsaicin (extracted from hot bell peppers) improve blood flow, metabolism in the affected area, relieve muscle tension, have a local stimulating, warming, antispasmodic effect andhandle. They relieve pain from the distracting impact, while pain is replaced by a slight burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, can cause skin irritation. Indicated for pulpitis, rheumatic diseases, joint syndromes, back neuralgia, lumbago, myalgia of the spinal muscles.
- A type of plasterboard containing a collection of substances (Turfan sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powders, etc. ), capable of heating up to 40-58 degrees in just 20 minutes of contactwith air and maintain the optimum temperature for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. The single-use patch anesthetizes, provides uniform heat, increases blood circulation, and relaxes the non-stop tense deep muscle fibers running along the spine. Warm patch helps to treat rheumatism, osteonecrosis, inflammation of the lumbago or other back muscles, chronic osteoarthritis, sciatica.
- The block patch with the inclusion of Diclofenac is a representative of the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They work quickly without irritating the skin. They are characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect is long lasting. Eliminates pain associated with inflammatory processes. The synthetic component of the non-steroidal structure causes the possibility of undesirable side effects (risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). Usually they bring relief in acute stages of the disease: with inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, muscle aches. Also shown to the back and joints as a means of rapid recovery from overuse, injury, sprains.
- A highly targeted adhesive bandage containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and nerve-stimulating vitamin B1. The complex of active ingredients involved in the synthesis of connective tissue increases the production of cartilage matrix, protects cartilage from damaging factors, helps restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. Drugs of natural origin are expensive, providing nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties. Its action is aimed at eliminating the cause of the pain syndrome. This type of patch is recommended for deforming, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, which is a combination of 2 anesthetic drugs. Strong pain reliever, transdermal anesthetic, effect lasts for 120 minutes after removing the treatment strip from the skin. Used for neurogenic back pain, prior to injection or superficial surgery.
- New products are produced using special technology. They consist of bioactive substances of the smallest size deposited on a polymer matrix, which can easily penetrate the layers of the epidermis, reach the pain point, generate radiation in the infrared region of the spectrum andproduces a constant magnetic field. The result of the synergistic action of the nanoparticles is to increase local blood flow, improve lymphatic drainage, reduce pain, inflammatory response, eliminate edema, relax muscles and restore function. . Patches are indicated for violations of sensitivity, pain in the neck, lumbar region against the background of a pinched nerve, sciatica, spondylosis, osteonecrosis and other pathologies of the column. living.
- Patches based on medicinal plants - they are also called Chinese patches. They are not officially a drug, they are registered as products in the category of cosmetic and hygiene products. Manufacturers emphasize the effectiveness and safety of herbal patches, which is due to the large amount of useful natural substances that form the basis of the medical sheet. There are many variations of adhesive tape and the reviews from them are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings, frequent allergic reactions and a large number of counterfeits are noted. The scope of application is very wide, including osteonecrosis of any part of the spine, sciatica.
Using
All back pain patches are for external use only. They are not to be reused, once removed from the skin they must be disposed of. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a cleansed dry skin surface in the affected area and left to work for the period specified by the manufacturer.
The guide says:
- Pepper can be applied topically, providing a therapeutic effect, for 2 days. May cause skin irritation and severe burning. Re-application is possible after only a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area with a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for it to dry completely. The film that has formed will be removed in one day.
- Thermal patches are rarely applied directly to the naked body, because the perceived temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends sticking them on fairly thick underwear. After opening the packaging bag and removing the sticker, remove the protective film from it. It must be used immediately and intact - no cutting is allowed! The maximum usage time is 10-12 hours per day.
- Patches with NSAIDs are only allowed for 24 hours. The maximum allowable daily dose is 30 mg. The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed 21 days.
- Anesthetic patches are applied to the area of the skin that is maximally painful. They can be cut, pasted 3 pieces at the same time on different parts of the body. Duration of application - 1-5 hours, after which the effect weakens. The interval between repeated use is at least 12 hours, the effectiveness of the treatment should be assessed - if after 2-4 weeks of regular use the results are not satisfactory, the treatment should be terminated.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require long-term use. Recommended regimen: the first week - use all day (when reapplying, the patch should be moved slightly so as not to unnecessarily obstruct skin respiration), the second week and then - every other day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that visible changes will appear after 3 months of treatment, and in order to consolidate the achieved effect, it is necessary to extend the course of treatment for at least another 3 months.
- Nanotechnology patches are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, exacerbation of chronic diseases - 9-15 days. After a week of rest, you can repeat the treatment. The continuous stay of the tape on the skin is limited to 12 hours, after which the skin must rest for at least 6 hours, the therapeutic effect is often accompanied by a slight burning sensation and hot flushing.
Contraindications to use
If we compare different types of patches, taking the safety of the treatment as the criterion, then high-quality modern developments take precedence over all. The list of contraindications to their use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large moles at the site of plaque fixation, skin diseases, and pregnancy (due to the lack of adequate clinical data to confirm this). safety for fetal development). The next safest patch is Nano Patch GS, which is prohibited for treatment by pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents aged 0-18, and individuals with individual intolerance to the ingredients. . Thermal patches should also not be used by patients with diabetes or those who have undergone heart surgery.
The list is closed with patches with NSAIDs, which have the following contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to non-steroidal substances, auxiliary elements of the drug;
- the aspirin trio;
- dysfunction of the kidneys, liver;
- chronic course of cardiac dysfunction;
- erosion, ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract;
- exacerbation of porphyria;
- old people or children - 0-15 years old;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Similar
The above is a complete list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, they do not have analogues in this dosage form. Other drugs for external use, ointments and gels, sprays, containing the same active ingredient, have the closest effect.
Back pain is a reason to immediately consult a doctor, self-medicating by any means can provoke the development of a serious pathology.