For those suffering from back pain, the patch is an easy-to-use, affordable, effective and safe dosage form. He is unable to cure the disease or eliminate the cause of the ailments because. This is just an important link in the treatment complex. The action of the patch is aimed at eliminating or relieving the painful symptoms of the disease, improving the quality of life at home, without resorting to the help of a doctor, taking pills that are harmful or painful to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tractare injections that have many side effects and contraindications. Without negatively influencing other systems and organs, the back pain patch brings drugs to the right place, ensures sufficient concentration to develop a therapeutic effect and a selective effect directly at the source of the pain.
Properties and types of plasters
The patch is a relatively new form of medication associated with the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its distinctive feature is a unique structure that has a number of advantages:
- Ease of use, ease of wearing - invisibility for others, preservation of freedom of movement, comfort of treatment (depending on the type of product and the expected effect, the patch can remain on the skin from 1 hour to 2-3 days);
- active elements quickly penetrate through the upper layers of the skin into superficial blood vessels, begin to act specifically and faster than in forms for oral administration;
- When applied to the skin, a systemic effect is obtained, but the substances are absorbed into the system of the inferior or superior vena cava, bypassing the liver and digestive tract, and there is no complex of biochemical transformations (primary liver and gastric metabolism). in which drugs are broken down and usually lose their pharmacological effect;
- the ability to slowly release active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, allowing for a longer duration of exposure. This occurs due to the continuous delivery of the drug to the body at a rate that produces a constant and near minimum therapeutic concentration of the drug in the bloodstream;
- the absence of a withdrawal syndrome with a sharp end to the application;
- the ability to combine with other drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures and methods of treatment;
- The controlled release and prolonged action of the back pain relief patch allows for a reduction in the frequency of administration of the prescribed medication. This, in turn, minimizes the systemic and local side effects characteristic of repeated long-term use, the presence and magnitude of the cumulative effect, and avoids a possible attenuation of the pharmacological effect.
Because of its benefits, transdermal therapy quickly gained popularity. Several dozen medical adhesive tapes with various active ingredients are officially registered worldwide. All existing plasters for the treatment of back pain can be divided into groups according to their composition and principle of action. This division is conditional, becausemany of them act through several mechanisms and produce a complex effect when the influence of one active component is complemented by the action of another. Plasters of domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented on the pharmaceutical market.
In pharmacies you can find products of the following brands, specializing in the production of dosed, completely ready-to-use medicines for external use in the form of a patch:
- irritating effect;
- with heat-reflective coating, dry heat;
- with nonsteroidal or other anti-inflammatory drugs;
- with the addition of medicinal herbs and oils;
- based on substances with chondroprotective effect;
- painkillers with local anesthetics;
- Nanotechnology.
Overview of the most popular back patches
The development and implementation of transdermal therapeutic systems has changed the idea of the patch as a simple protective sticker against damage. The presence of a drug reservoir has made the patch an important element in the symptomatic treatment of low back pain and an alternative for parenteral and oral administration. There are many reasons that can cause pain and heaviness in the back. This can be due to problems in the musculoskeletal system, diseases of internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infections, back injuries, stress, age-related changes.
In order not to aggravate the situation, the pain cannot be ignored, it rarely goes away on its own. Treatment should be timely and competent - an integrated approach is required. Depending on the nature and severity of the pain, the probable causes of its occurrence and the physiological characteristics of the body, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug.
Only a professional, after questioning and thorough examination, can determine which medical plaque is better, because. They differ in the principle of action and tasks. Brief Description and Features of the Most Prescribed Pain Relief Patches for Back Treatment:
- Pepper - the most popular, proven. Cheap and efficient. Liquid plaster gels are transparent, hypoallergenic, securely fixed. After 2 minutes you will feel a heat rush when applying the gel film. Stickers based on capsaicin (an extract of hot peppers) improve blood circulation, metabolic processes in the affected area, reduce muscle tension, have a local irritating, warming, antispasmodic and dissolving effect. They relieve pain with a distracting effect while replacing the pain with a slight burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, may irritate skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgic syndrome, neuralgia of the back, lumbago, myalgia of the muscles of the spine.
- A category of thermal plasters containing a number of substances (turfan sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powders, etc. ) that can be heated to 40-58 degrees in just 20 minutes in contact with air and maintained theoptimal temperature for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. One-time stickers stun, provide even heating, increase blood flow, relax the constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run along the spine. The heat patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the lumbar or other back muscles, chronic arthrosis, sciatica.
- Plasters with the inclusion of Diclofenac are representatives of the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They act quickly without irritating the skin. They are characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect lasts a long time. Eliminate pain associated with the inflammatory process of swelling. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure causes the likelihood of undesirable side reactions (the risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). Usually they bring relief in acute phases of the disease: inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, lumboischialgia. Also shown for the back and joints as a means of rapid recovery after overexertion, injuries, sprains.
- A highly targeted tape containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and neurotropic vitamin B1. The complex of active substances involved in the synthesis of connective tissue increases the production of the cartilage matrix, protects the cartilage from harmful factors, helps restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. The drug is of natural origin, expensive, provides nutritional 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 anesthetics. Strong painkillers, provide dermal anesthesia, the effect lasts for another 120 minutes after the treatment strip is removed from the skin. Used for neuropathic back pain, before injections or superficial surgeries.
- Novelties made using special technologies. These include bioactive substances of the smallest size, deposited on a polymer basis, which can easily penetrate the layers of the epidermis, reaching a sore point, generating radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum and creating a constant magnetic field. The result of the combined action of nanoparticles is an increase in local blood circulation, improvement of lymphatic drainage, reduction of pain, inflammatory reactions, removal of edema, muscle relaxation and restoration of functions. Plasters are indicated for sensitivity disorders, pain in the neck and lumbar region against the background of a pinched nerve, sciatica, spondylarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine.
- Stickers based on medicinal plants - they are also called Chinese plasters. They are not an official medicinal product, they are registered as products in the category of hygiene and hygiene products and cosmetics. Manufacturers emphasize the effectiveness and safety of herbal plasters, which are due to the large amount of useful natural substances that form the basis of the medicinal plate. There are many variations of adhesive tapes and reviews of them are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings, frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes are noted. The range of applications is wide and includes osteochondrosis of all parts of the spine, sciatica.
how to use
All back pain patches are for external use only. They are not subject to reuse, after removal from the skin they must be disposed of. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a well-cleaned, dry skin surface in the offending area and left on for the time specified by the manufacturer.
The instruction says:
- Pepper patches can stay on the skin for 2 days and have a therapeutic effect. May irritate skin and cause severe burns. A renewed application is only possible after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area with a thin layer, without rubbing, and waits for complete drying. The formed film is removed in one day.
- Thermal patches are rarely applied directly to the naked body, since the perceived temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends applying them to fairly tight underwear. After you have opened the sachet and removed the patch, remove the protective film from it. It must be used immediately and in full - it is forbidden to cut! The maximum usage time is 10-12 hours per day.
- Plasters with NSAIDs are only allowed to stick for 24 hours, the maximum permissible daily dose is 30 mg. The duration of treatment should not exceed 21 days.
- Anesthetic patches are applied to the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe maximum pain. They can be cut, glued 3 pieces on different parts of the body at the same time. Application time - 1-5 hours, then the effect will wear off. The interval between repeated applications is at least 12 hours. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of such treatment - if a positive result is not observed after 2-4 weeks of regular use, the course of treatment should be completed.
- Plasters with chondroprotectors require prolonged use. Recommended scheme: the first week - daily use around the clock (when reapplying, it is advisable to slightly move the patch so as not to unnecessarily impede skin breathing), the second week, and then - every other day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that after 3 months of treatment visible changes will appear, and in order to consolidate the effect achieved, it is necessary to extend the therapy for at least 3 more months.
- Nanotech patches are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, the stage of exacerbation of a chronic disease - 9-15 days. After a week break, you can repeat the treatment. The duration of the continuous stay of the adhesive 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 flashes.
Contraindications for use
If we compare different types of patches, taking the safety of treatment as a criterion, then high-quality modern developments are most preferable. The list of contraindications to their use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large birthmarks at the sites of attachment of the plate, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to the lack of sufficient clinical data confirming safety for fetal development). The next safest patch is Nano Patch GS, which should not be treated by pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents from 0 to 18 years of age and people with individual intolerance to the components. Heat patches should also not be used on patients with diabetes mellitus or after cardiac surgery.
The list is closed with patches with NSAIDs that have the following contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal substances, auxiliary elements of the drug;
- aspirin triad;
- dysfunction of the kidneys, liver;
- chronic course of cardiac dysfunction;
- erosion, gastrointestinal ulcers;
- aggravation of porphyrin disease;
- senior or child age - 0-15 years;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or lactation.
analogues
The above is a complete list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, they have no analogues in this dosage form. Other drugs for dermal application, ointments and gels, sprays, including the same active substance, have the closest effect.
Back pain is a reason to immediately consult a doctor, in any case, self-medication can lead to the development of a serious pathology.