Many are interested in why Diclofenac candles help. We will examine in more detail in this matter. Various pathological conditions of the human body need to be adjusted by means of drugs that have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic characteristics. Diclofenac, intended for the treatment of such conditions, also falls into this category. Below we will discuss the features of their composition, dosage and use, compatibility with other medications, the duration of the treatment course, as well as reviews of doctors and patients.
The article provides a very detailed instruction on the use of Diclofenac candles.
Release form and composition features
Diclofenac suppositories have a light cream or white hue, have a torpedo-shaped cylindrical shape and a smooth surface. The main active element is sodium diclofenac, the amount of which in one candle is 100 and 50 mg (depending on dosage). In addition, it contains additional ingredients, including:
- triglycerides related to the middle link;
- hard fat;
- silicon dioxide anhydrous colloidal.
Suppositories are packed in five pieces in blisters. In a cardboard box there are two blisters, that is, ten candles, as well as instructions for using the drug.
What are the indications of the diclofenac candles?
Pharmacological specificity
Sodium diclofenac is a chemical phenylacetic acid derivative that suppresses the first and second type cyclooxygenase enzyme, which is responsible for the synthesis of certain inflammatory mediators (leukotrienes, prostaglandins, prostacyclin, thromboxane) from arachidonic acid. The action of Diclofenac candles is as follows.
Due to the decrease in the degree of inflammatory mediators, the active substance of the drug has anti-inflammatory biological effects, which include:
- decrease in hyperemia - excessive filling of blood vessels in the inflamed area due to poor outflow of venous blood;
- a decrease in the severity of edema, since inflammatory mediators cause an increase in the permeability of the vascular walls of the microvasculature, and the plasma enters the intercellular substance;
- weakening the severity of painful sensations that appear due to direct irritation of the nerve endings of inflammatory mediators, which are sensitive;
- bonding, reduction of platelet aggregation, thereby reducing blood clot formation. Suppositories "Diclofenac" with hemorrhoids are quite effective.
In addition, diclofenac sodium helps to reduce the resistance of the gastric mucosa, as well as the duodenal membrane to a number of aggressive factors (bile acids, hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice, infection) due to a decrease in prostaglandin synthesis, which serves as a defense.
Mechanism of action
After administration of the suppository rectally, into the cavity of the rectum, the active component is absorbed into the systemic circulation for 10-15 minutes.
Can I use Diclofenac suppositories during pregnancy?
The drug is distributed almost evenly in tissues and organs, and, naturally, enters the body of the growing fetus during pregnancy, and breast milk in the lactation period.
Diclofenac sodium metabolism is predominantly carried out in the liver. Its decomposition products are primarily excreted by the kidneys along with urine. The half-life, that is, the elimination of half the received dose of the drug from the body, ranges from two to three hours.
When is Diclofenac used?
According to the instructions for use, Diclofenac suppositories are used for structural pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, accompanied by pain and inflammation, which include:
- articular inflammation (arthritis) of various origins - aseptic inflammation, infections, metabolic disorders (gout), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune inflammatory process);
- lesions of the periarticular soft tissues of a rheumatic nature;
- moderate pain after various injuries (sprains, bruises) and surgical interventions;
- inflammatory process of nerves on the periphery (neuralgia) and striated skeletal muscles (myositis) of aseptic nature.
Indications at the candles "Diclofenac" are very extensive. In addition, suppositories can be used along with antispasmodics as part of combination therapy to relieve pain, that is, reduce its intensity, with hepatic or renal colic.
In what cases is the drug contraindicated?
Suppositories can not be used in certain conditions of the body, which include:
- intolerance to sodium diclofenac or other components of the pharmacological type of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs, due to the individual characteristics of the body;
- the patient’s presence of such a symptom complex as the “aspirin triad”, that is, aspirin intolerance, which refers to anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs, polypous rhinosinusitis, bronchial asthma (inflammation of the bronchial tubes of an allergic nature with paroxysmal spasm and decreased air passage);
- bleeding of the intestines and stomach by the time the drug is started or shortly before;
- erosive-ulcerative disease of the upper digestive tract with an increased risk of bleeding from damaged sections of the mucous membrane;
- a defect in the hematopoietic process and the insufficient nature of the coagulating blood system;
- patient age up to fifteen years;
- breastfeeding and late gestation (third trimester).
What else does the Diclofenac candle application manual tell us?
Relative contraindications
For the use of suppositories, there are relative contraindications such as inflammatory processes in the digestive tract (including ulcerative colitis of a non-specific nature), functional failure of the liver or kidneys, hemorrhoids, inflammatory disease of the connective tissue of the system type (lupus erythematosus), elderly people, porphyria, arterial hypertension, heart failure. Before starting a therapeutic course with the use of Diclofenac suppositories in gynecology and other areas, it is necessary to make sure that there are no contraindications.
Features of use and dosage
Suppositories are used through rectal administration, that is, into the cavity of the rectum. Suppositories are introduced after the intestines are released naturally or with a cleansing enema. A single therapeutic dose of the drug ranges from 100 to 150 mg, divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day. The daily maximum dose cannot be higher than 150 mg, the duration of a therapeutic course is on average equal to a week. The need for a longer use of the drug is determined by a specialist.
Side effects
As soon as treatment begins with the help of Diclofenac suppositories, the patient may develop certain side symptoms from his systems and organs, including:
- digestive system: the development of periodic vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, pain in the stomach area (upper abdomen); in rarer cases, an increase in the activity of liver transaminase enzymes in the blood, intestinal and stomach bleeding develops, indicating defects in hepatocytes (liver cells);
- nervous system: periodic dizziness and headaches, excessive fatigue, irritability, poor sleep with constant nightmare visions, a sense of anxiety; in addition, vision may be impaired (objects become blurry when looking at them), tremors, ear noise, mental defects or severe depression;
- hematopoietic system: anemia (anemia), a decrease in the number of leukocytes and platelets (i.e. leukopenia and thrombocytopenia); in addition, there may be a decrease in blood coagulation activity with the subsequent occurrence of bleeding with one or another intensity;
- skin with appendages - hair loss (alopecia), redness (erythroderma), increased skin sensitivity to light, especially to the rays of the sun (photosensitivity);
- urinary system: inflammation of the kidney tissues (interstitial nephritis), a decrease in their functional activity, hematuria (the appearance of blood in the urine);
- system of the heart and blood vessels: delay of sodium and water ions in the human body with the appearance of peripheral edema, occasionally, systemic blood pressure (arterial hypertension) may appear;
- allergic reactions: local skin changes in the form of rash, urticaria, itching, Quincke's angioedema (severe swelling of the soft facial tissues and genitals), Steven-Johnson and Lyell syndrome (allergic necrotic dermatitis). Common allergic reactions are anaphylactic shock and bronchial asthma (a critical condition with the further formation of insufficiency of many organs and a manifested decrease in blood pressure).
If side symptoms develop, then the use of the drug must be discontinued. This is confirmed by the instruction for application to the diclofenac candles.
Overdose
If the recommended therapeutic dose is exceeded, then side effects from the nervous system (dizziness, changes in consciousness, headache, cramps), the digestive system (abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding of the intestines and stomach, nausea, diarrhea) develop. In this case, you need to rinse the intestines and prescribe symptomatic treatment.
Reviews of candles "Diclofenac"
Doctors and patients respond to the drug as an effective tool with excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In addition, it can be used in emergency cases, as well as for course therapy. The drug is reliable for acute arthritis and radiculitis. Of the shortcomings, negative symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are noted with prolonged use. Based on the reviews of Diclofenac suppositories, we can conclude that, due to the negative effect on the gastric mucosa, it is not recommended to get involved in this medicine.