Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or so-called painkillers are used for various diseases. However, most often, such medications are prescribed for pathological conditions in the musculoskeletal system.
Today, there are many different drugs that not only quickly and effectively relieve inflammation, but also eliminate all pain. One such drug is Olfen. Instructions for use and contraindications of this tool will be presented below. You will also learn about whether this medicine has analogues and in what forms it goes on sale.
Composition, release form and packaging
In what form is the drug "Olfen" produced? Instructions for use, reviews indicate that this tool has many different forms. Let's consider them in more detail.
- Gel for external use. The active substance of this medication is diclofenac. It also contains additional components in the form of lactic acid, isopropyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, di-isopropyl adipate, purified water, sodium metabisulfite and hydroxypropyl cellulose. The gel comes on sale in aluminum tubes or glass bottles with a roller and a protective cap.
- Solution for injections "Olfen 75". Instructions for use (injections are often prescribed for rheumatic diseases) reports that the active ingredients of this form are lidocaine hydrochloride and diclofenac sodium. As additional substances, propylene glycol, acetylcysteine, sodium hydroxide, water for injection and polyethylene glycol 400 are used. The solution goes on sale in 2 ml dark ampoules.
- Transdermal patch "Olfen". The instruction for use states that diclofenac sodium also acts as an active component of this form. In addition, auxiliary ingredients, including menthol, are used as impregnation. Such a medicine is sold in paper-aluminum-plastic bags.
- Capsules "Olfen 100". Instructions for use indicate that the active ingredient of this tool is diclofenac sodium. It also contains excipients in the form of glycerol of trimyristate, lactose, gelatin, microcrystalline sodium, carboxymethyl cellulose-cellulose, erythrosine, titanium dioxide, triethyl acetate, MCC, colloidal aqueous silicon dioxide, ammonium methacrylate dispersion copolymer of type B iron oxide, black oxide, iron oxide red.
It cannot be said that the drug "Olfen", the instructions for use of which are contained in a cardboard box along with the medicine, may have other forms of release (for example, suppositories, tablets, dragees, and others).
Pharmacology
What is a medicine like Olfen? Instructions for use reports that it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It quickly relieves pain and eliminates the symptoms of an existing disease.
The preparation in the form of a gel is intended for external application. Its active substance penetrates through the skin, and then accumulates in the tissues. In inflammation, it acts as a painkiller. The medication reduces the severity of edema, accelerates the recovery of the patient, removes inflammation and cools the skin.
How does the Olfen injection solution (ampoules) work? The instruction for use claims that this medication has pronounced antipyretic, anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It interferes with the biological synthesis of prostaglandins, which affect inflammatory processes, pain and fever.
With rheumatic diseases, injections help get rid of all the symptoms of the disease. They remove pain, eliminate stiffness of joints and normalize their work.
What are the properties of the Olfen transdermal patch? Instructions for use reports that it is a long-acting remedy. The innovative form of the drug provides uniform release of the active substance in a selected area of the body. Like gel, it enters the tissues through the skin and eliminates pain, inflammation and swelling. Due to the presence of menthol, the transdermal patch has a cooling effect. This is of great importance for pain in the back and joints, bruises and sprains.
How do Olfen 100 capsules work? Instructions for use indicate that with rheumatic diseases, this tool reduces the severity of pain, and also eliminates inflammatory swelling and wound swelling.
In addition, with primary dysmenorrhea, this remedy reduces pain and the intensity of menstruation. After a single dose of capsules, the maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is reached after 4 hours. Eating does not have a significant effect on its bioavailability and degree of absorption.
Indications
Why is a drug like Olfen necessary?
The instructions and reviews of doctors say that this tool works well in the symptomatic treatment of pain, inflammation and edema with:
- bursitis;
- exacerbation of rheumatism;
- soft tissue injuries;
- hepatic and renal colic;
- tendonitis;
- acute attacks of gout;
- degenerative rheumatism (local forms);
- soft tissue rheumatism (localized forms);
- shoulder syndrome;
- periarthropathy;
- inflammation and pain in gynecology, as well as after injuries and operations.
Gel and patch contraindications
Drugs for external use can not be used with:
- hypersensitivity to their components;
- burns;
- history of urticaria, asthma attacks and acute rhinitis caused by NSAIDs;
- eczema
- infections of the skin;
- open skin lesions.
Solution contraindications
When should you not take Olfen injections (injections)?
Instructions for use indicate the following contraindications to the solution:
- hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug;
- cases (history) of bronchospasm, acute rhinitis, nasal polyps, urticaria and other allergic reactions caused by taking acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs;
- severe heart failure;
- convulsive seizures due to lidocaine (history);
- inflammatory bowel disease;
- Adams-Stokes syndrome;
- hypovolemia or hypohydria;
- renal failure;
- bradycardia;
- atrioventicular block II and III degree;
- severe liver failure;
- cardiogenic shock;
- heart block complete transverse;
- porphyria;
- weak sinus node;
- myasthenia gravis;
- severe arterial hypotension;
- pain after coronary artery bypass grafting or using a cardiopulmonary bypass;
- bleeding disorder, hematopoiesis, bleeding.
Oral form contraindications
Now you know in which cases you should not prescribe the injection solution "Olfen 75". The instruction for use states that similar contraindications exist in the oral form of this medication:
- heart failure;
- ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease;
- peptic ulcer of the digestive tract;
- hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug;
- renal failure;
- pregnancy (third trimester);
- rhinitis and urticaria;
- liver failure;
- attacks of aspirin BA;
- increased risk of bleeding after surgery, incomplete homeostasis, cerebrovascular bleeding, impaired hematopoiesis.
It should also be noted that Olfen capsules should not be prescribed to children.
Instructions for use of the gel and patch
Gel "Olfen" is used depending on the area of the painful area. As a rule, this tool is prescribed in an amount of 2-4 g per 400-800 square meters. see skin.
The medication is used 3-4 times throughout the day. The gel is applied to the affected area, but not rubbed. The maximum daily dosage of this product is 15 g.
The course of use depends on the indications and characteristics of the patient's body. Experts advise checking the appropriateness of continuing treatment after two weeks.
It is strictly forbidden to use the gel for more than 14 consecutive days for rheumatic diseases and soft tissue lesions. For pain that was caused by arthritis, the course of therapy should not exceed 21 days.
The Olfen patch must be glued to the affected area twice a day. In this case, the skin should be dry and clean. Impose the drug should be without stretching it. Before hygiene procedures, the patch is removed and then glued again.
Solution "Olfen 75": instructions for use
Injections with this drug should only be done by an experienced healthcare provider. Their dosage is selected individually.
According to experts, a skin test is required before the injection. In the absence of any negative reactions, the drug continues to be used in the form of intramuscular infusions.
The medicine in ampoules is used 1 time per day. Injections are done in the gluteus muscle. With severe pain, the drug is administered 2 times a day with an interval of several hours. The maximum daily dosage of the drug is 150 mg.
Capsules "Olfen": instructions for use
Injections, analogues of which will be presented below, as well as capsules, gel and patch for pain relief should be prescribed only by a specialist. Otherwise, the patient's condition may worsen.
According to the instructions, the initial dosage of Olfen capsules is 100-150 mg. In less severe cases, it may be equal to 50 mg.
The specified amount of the drug must be divided by 2-3 times. Capsules are taken before meals.
Side effects
When using the patch and gel, patients may develop mild and temporary local skin reactions. Allergies, bronchial asthma, pustular rashes, hypersensitivity reactions, skin burning, photosensitivity, itching and angioedema are also noted. In addition, the following are possible:
- dermatitis;
- erythema;
- rashes;
- eczema.
When intramuscular injections in a patient are observed:
- headaches;
- vertigo;
- dizziness;
- abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, anorexia;
- elevated levels of transaminases;
- rash;
- swelling due to fluid retention in the body;
- reactions at the injection site.
Also possible: numbness of the limbs, thrombocytopenia, disorientation, leukopenia, depression, anemia, a feeling of heat or cold, agranulocytosis, Quincke's edema, irritability, insomnia, mental disorders, nightmares, etc.
When taken orally, the side effects that appear are similar to those listed above. Capsules can also cause problems with the digestive tract, including gastritis, melena, bleeding, stomach and intestinal ulcers, stomatitis, colitis, esophageal lesions, constipation, pancreatitis, glossitis and diaphragm-like intestinal strictures.
Cost and analogues
The price of this tool depends on its form of release. On average, it is 250-370 rubles.
You can replace the medication in question by any means containing the same active substance - diclofenac (for example, Voltaren, Ortofen, Diclogen, Almiral, Difen, Yumeran and others).
Consumer and doctor reviews
Now you know why such a drug as Olfen is needed. Instructions and indications for the use of this tool were presented above.
Experts say that the medication in question is one of the most effective and effective. Consumers completely agree with this. In their opinion, this drug quite quickly eliminates pain, significantly alleviating their condition. Another advantage of this medication is the many forms of release.
As for the shortcomings, they include the presence of a large number of contraindications and adverse reactions.