Statistics show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are by far the most popular drug among buyers of different age groups. These medications help patients feel better. They are taken for symptomatic treatment for various pathologies. Some NSAIDs must be taken orally or administered rectally, while others are for external use. Today's article will introduce you to one of these tools - Piroxicam gel. Instructions for use, a description of the drug and its analogues will be given for review.
Information about the drug: composition and form of release
What important information does the consumer tell the consumer about the Piroxicam gel? The description of the drug begins with its composition. The abstract says that the drug contains the same active substance: piroxicam. Its concentration is 1% or 0.5%. The manufacturer also supplements the medicine with special components. Available for external use in tubes or glass containers, the volume of which is 30, 50 or 100 grams.
How does the medicine work?
Before you start using the Piroxicam gel, the instructions for use should be carefully studied by each consumer. Do not miss the important point and find out how the medication acts on the patient's body. The effectiveness of the drug is due to the substances that make up its composition.
The medication, when taken orally in the form of tablets, is immediately absorbed from the digestive tract. With external use, the drug enters the patient through direct contact with the skin. The medicine is absorbed at the site of application, providing a pronounced anesthetic and antipyretic effect. The medication relieves the inflammatory process, has an antirheumatic effect. The gel begins immediately after its application to body parts and lasts from 4 to 12 hours (depending on the type of pathology). The remains of the drug are excreted through the excretory system of the body no more than a day later.
Indications for use of the drug
Why is Pyroxicam gel needed? Instructions for use reports that this medication is used for pain (muscle and joint) of various origins. The manufacturer recommends resorting to the help of an external agent “Piroxicam” for the following indications:
- arthritis (rheumatoid or gouty);
- rheumatism;
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- osteoarthrosis;
- sciatica;
- myalgia, neuralgia;
- radiculitis;
- bursitis;
- arthralgia;
- inflammatory pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (in adults and children from 14 years old).
The medicine for internal use also helps to cope with the febrile conditions caused by the infection. Tablets are used to relieve pain during periodic ailments in women and pain syndrome of different origin.
Limitations and Warnings
Not always and not everyone can safely use Piroxicam gel. Instructions for use do not allow the use of the drug with hypersensitivity to its components. The use of an external drug is contraindicated if the patient previously had an allergy to other NSAIDs or aspirin. It is forbidden to use the medication for serious violations in the work of the liver or kidneys. Do not treat if pain occurs in an open or bleeding wound.
With extreme caution, an external agent is used among sensitive people prone to allergic reactions. If an unexpected reaction to this medication occurs during treatment, it must be undone.
Children, pregnant women and nursing mothers
It does not recommend the use of the Piroxicam drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ointment, gel (sometimes also called cream) can penetrate into the bloodstream, passing into breast milk. From there, the medicine enters the baby's body along with natural food. Despite the manufacturer's recommendations not to prescribe medication during pregnancy, sometimes this is still necessary. In this situation, doctors try to avoid therapy in the first trimester (when the main formation of the embryo systems is in progress) and in the last (before childbirth).
Children are not prescribed medication under the age of 14 years due to the lack of clinical data for such therapy.
Gel "Piroxicam": instructions for use
Since the medication is an external agent, it is used, respectively, on the surface of the body. "Piroxicam" is applied in a small amount to the affected area, gently rubbing into the skin. The frequency of use is 3-4 times a day, as needed. It is recommended to apply a bandage to enhance effectiveness, but this is not a prerequisite. When using the tool, follow the rules:
- wash your hands and open the package with the drug;
- pierce the back of the cap with the protective membrane on the tube;
- squeeze the right amount of gel and rub it;
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap;
- close the tube and store it at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees for 6 months.
Adverse reactions
It is expected that the therapy will have a positive effect on the patient's condition. But this is not always the case. In some situations, “Piroxicam” (gel) - instructions for use tells - causes adverse reactions:
- Allergy is the most common ailment that arose as a result of applying the drug. This effect is manifested by skin rash, dry integument, itching and swelling. Less commonly, the patient may experience catarrhal allergies (bronchospasm, lacrimation, rhinorrhea).
- Digestive disorders with external use are very rare. If you accidentally use Piroxicam Gel inside - the instructions for use warn you - you will begin to have abdominal pain, nausea, upset stool and vomiting.
- The nervous system may suffer from uncontrolled use of the drug. In such cases, the consumer has a headache, drowsiness, apathy, and a disturbance in the perception of the outside world.
- Less commonly, a medicine can affect the functioning of the excretory system: provoke kidney failure, nephritis, distortion of diuresis.
Be sure to cancel the treatment and consult your doctor if you have encountered one or more of the consequences of treatment.
When are analogues needed?
If for some reason you cannot buy Piroxicam gel, it is recommended that you choose analogues with a specialist along with instructions for use. Alternative agents should be used if the patient has intolerance to piroxicam or is allergic to this component. Also, an alternative is selected in the case when the claimed medication is not in pharmacies.
To date, all substitute medicines are divided into two main groups: full analogues of the drug “Piroxicam” and alternative drugs based on other constituents. Absolute generics include medicines for external use, which include the active substance piroxicam. Let's consider them in more detail.
The drug "Final Gel"
A popular substitute for Piroxicam gel, the instructions for use and a photo of which are presented to your attention, is Finalgel. This medication is also used externally. It contains the active substance piroxicam in an amount of 5 mg per gram of medicine. The medication effectively suppresses inflammatory processes by acting on COX 1 and COX 2. For diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the medication is recommended for use within 3-4 months. If you use the medicine for sports injury, then the duration of its use should be no more than 2 weeks. The drug “Finalgel” is produced by the German pharmaceutical company.
Gel "Erazon"
Another drug based on piroxicam, which can replace the claimed medicine. This tool is less in demand than its predecessor. Despite this, the composition and principle of operation of the drugs are absolutely identical. It is not recommended to use this substitute with a bandage. Apply the product on clean skin and let it absorb completely.
Other substitutes
Even if you cannot find Piroxicam Verte (gel) in the pharmacy, the instructions for use will not tell you which analogue to choose. It is better to check this information with your doctor or consult your pharmacist. Today, the pharmacological market is replete with a variety of medicines for external use. Similar effects have drugs:
- "Voltaren", "Ortofen", "Diclovit" - the active substance diclofenac;
- "Nurofen", "Dolgit" - the active substance ibuprofen;
- "Indomethacin", "Indovazin" - the active substance indomethacin;
- "Fastum", "Bystrumgel", "Ketonal" - the active substance is ketoprofen.
If a substitute for the drug “Piroxicam” is required due to allergies, then only a doctor should choose an analog after evaluating all risk factors and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Medical recommendations and reviews
You already know what the instructions for use tell about Piroxicam (gel). This medicine has different reviews. For some consumers, the drug came up, but for others it turned out to be ineffective.
Most users use the medication as prescribed by the doctor, they are satisfied with the course. Consumers say that the gel helps to cope with joint and muscle pain. The positive effect becomes noticeable within a few minutes after application. The product has no unpleasant odor and leaves no residue on clothing. It is only important to wait until the medicine is completely absorbed into the skin. This fact allows you to take an external pain medication with you to work, on a trip. The medication does not require special storage conditions, which is also important. It can not but rejoice at the cost of the drug, which does not exceed 150 rubles. For comparison, it should be said that the popular analogue “Finalgel” costs about 400 rubles.
Negative reviews about the drug are more difficult to find, but this can also be done. The inefficiency of the drug is claimed by those consumers who used the medication without prior medical advice. Doctors report that the diagnosis to himself was simply made incorrectly. That is why it turned out to be ineffective "Pyroxicam" (gel). Instructions for use, consumer reviews and doctors say that the strength of the drug increases significantly if you use the Piroxicam capsule for internal use.
The recommendations of doctors are aimed at warning patients not to use the medication on their own. The fact is that there is not always a need for its application. Despite all the positive reviews and opinions, in some cases Piroxicam does not help. Only a specialist can determine whether you need this tool or if you need to use another.
To summarize
From the article you could learn about the Russian anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug - Piroxicam gel. Instructions for use, description and reviews with analogues are provided for reference. Despite the availability (over-the-counter sale and low cost), as well as good reviews, do not use the medicine yourself. If you have health problems, be sure to consult a doctor and find out which drug will help alleviate your suffering. All the best, don’t be sick!