Joint diseases can be experienced not only by the elderly, but also by young people. Such pathological conditions bring significant discomfort. Therefore, the Chondroxide preparation is very often used for their treatment. The price of the mentioned funds, its instructions for use, release form and reviews are presented below.
Composition, description, form and packaging
In what form is the medication in question made? What does the instruction say about this? Chondroxide goes on sale in several forms. It:
- White pills. Their active substance is chondroitin sulfate. The drug also contains calcium stearate, magnesium hydroxycarbonate, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose. It can be purchased in contour cells, which are placed in packs of cardboard.
- Transparent gel for external application. Chondroitin sulfate also acts as its active ingredient. In addition to it, the composition of the medicine includes such additional substances as dimethyl sulfoxide, nipazole, propylene glycol, ethanol, isopropanol, sodium disulfite, carbomer, nipagin, water and food flavoring.
- Light ointment for external application. It contains chondroitin sulfate, as well as dimethyl sulfoxide, petroleum jelly, water, lanolin and monoglycerides.
The last two forms of the drug go on sale in tubes.
Pharmacological characteristics
What is the drug in question? What does the instruction say about him? Chondroxide promotes the regulation of metabolism in cartilage. It provides their regeneration and chondrostimulation, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
This medication is involved in the construction of cartilage and bone tissue, improves metabolism, slows down degenerative changes and inhibits enzymes that affect cartilage.
Also, this tool regenerates the surface of the joint bag and joints, activates the synthesis of proteoglycans and stimulates the formation of intraarticular fluid. In addition, it inhibits bone resorption, restores their tissue and protects against calcium loss.
Drug properties
The drug "Chondroxide", reviews of which everyone can leave, slows down the development of osteoarthrosis and osteochondrosis. It reduces the pain of the affected joints and increases the range of motion.
The use of this medication helps to reduce the dosage of NSAIDs or their cancellation.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
Is the drug in question absorbed? What does the instruction say about this? Chondroxide, when taken orally, reaches a maximum concentration in the blood within four hours, and after five hours it is found in the articular cavities.
The bioavailability of this medicine is 13%.
The maximum concentration of the drug in the cartilage is observed within two days. It is excreted from the body with urine in about a day.
Due to the content of dimethyl sulfoxide, the use of the gel ensures the effective penetration of its active substance into the tissues. When applied to the skin, the maximum concentration of this medicine is observed after 30 minutes. In the joint, the medication persists for five hours.
Indications
What diseases do you use the Chondroxide preparation for (do you need injections for someone more, but this medicine doesn’t have this form)? According to experts, this tool is actively prescribed for the prevention and treatment of degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the joints and spine, including osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis.
Contraindications
When should you not prescribe Chondroxide tablets? Reviews indicate that this form of the drug is contraindicated in:
- pregnancy
- in childhood;
- breastfeeding;
- individual intolerance to the drug and its elements.
Also, with extreme caution, this drug is used for bleeding tendencies.
As for the ointment and gel, they are contraindicated in:
- hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug;
- damage to the skin in the place of the planned application;
- in childhood.
Dosage, instruction
Chondroxide in the form of tablets is taken orally for 2 jokes twice a day. Such therapy should be carried out for six months. According to experts, after cessation of treatment, the therapeutic effect lasts for 4-5 months (depending on the development of the disease).
With local use, a gel or ointment is applied to the affected area up to three times a day. For more effective absorption of the gel, it is applied to the skin with patting movements until it is completely absorbed. The duration of treatment with such a tool can be 2-12 weeks.
As for the ointment, it is recommended to be applied to the skin by rubbing. The course of such therapy should last about 3 weeks.
If necessary, the appointment of re-treatment.
Which is better: ointment or gel?
The preparation in the form of a gel relieves pain quite well and does not require rubbing. In addition, he does not stain clothes and almost never leaves marks on the skin.
Chondroxide ointment has a fat base. It is ideal for use with self-massage.
Side effects
The drug "Chondroxide", the price of which depends on the form of its release, is well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, it can cause local allergic reactions. When taking the tablet form, patients often develop diarrhea, nausea is observed.
Analogs and cost
The cost of Chondroxide in tablets is about 370-450 rubles. An ointment or gel with the same name can be purchased for 250-270 rubles.
What replace the drug in question? Its main analogues are:
- Chondroxide Maximum (the price of this product is indicated below). The active substance of this tool is glucosamine. It has a chondroprotective effect, restores the surface of the cartilage in the joints and spine, activates the production of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans in the patient's body. Moreover, this remedy significantly reduces pain and eliminates inflammation. Taking glucosamine sulfate reduces the amount of NSAIDs consumed. Also, this medicine reduces the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage.
- Chondroxide Forte. The instruction reports that the active elements of the drug in question are chondroitin and meloxicam. This medication slows the development of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis, anesthetizes well, reduces swelling and inflammation in the joints and increases their mobility. The components of such a tool have mutual potentiating anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
How much is Chondroxide Maximum? Its price is quite high and is about 550-650 rubles. As for the Chondroxide Forte, it can be purchased for 250-300 rubles.
It should also be noted that the analogues of the drug in question include: “Chondroitin-Akos”, “Chondrollar”, “Structum” and “Arthrin”.
Reviews
Numerous consumer reviews about this drug allow us to conclude that its oral form is effective only with prolonged use (for several months), as well as in the early stages of the disease.
As for the gel (Chondroxide), patients claim that it relieves swelling and pain in the joints well. An ointment with the same name is no less effective. It is very often used in physiotherapy.