Diseases of the joints and spine can bother not only in the elderly, but also at a young age. Experts attribute this to the fact that in the diet of modern people there are less and less nutrients that are essential for the support and restoration of cartilage.
If your joints hurt regularly, you should contact your doctor right away.
With pathological conditions of the spinal column and ligamentous apparatus as a whole, doctors very often prescribe a medication such as Chondroitin Complex. Instructions, consumer reviews on the effectiveness of this medication will be presented a little below.
Composition, packaging of the drug and its form of release
Do you know what ingredients are contained in Chondroitin Complex? The instruction reports that the active components of this tool are glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sodium sulfate.
It should be noted that the mentioned medicine also contains such auxiliary components as sodium starch glycolate, low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone, aerosil, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate.
Chondroitin Complex goes on sale in capsules. They are contained in a bottle and a cardboard box, respectively.
Pharmacological characteristics
What are chondroitin complex capsules? The instruction says that this is a combination tool that is used to restore cartilage.
The effect of this medication is due to the substances that make up its composition.
Chondroitin sodium sulfate is a high molecular weight mucopolysaccharide. It plays an important role in the construction of cartilage. This element reduces the effect of those enzymes that destroy articular cartilage. In addition, he helps restore it.
It should be noted that chondroitin sodium sulfate normalizes the functioning of the joints. At the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process, it reduces its activity. In this case, the degeneration of cartilage tissue is inhibited.
In the presence of osteoarthrosis of the knee and hip joints, this substance reduces the patient's need for taking NSAIDs, and also helps to eliminate pain.
What is the effect of glucosamine? “Chondroitin Complex” (caps. 90), due to the mentioned component, is very often used as a chondroprotective agent. This substance affects the biological synthesis of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, and also reduces glycosamine deficiency.
It should also be noted that in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfuric acid, glucosamine is able to activate sulfur fixation. This component selectively acts on articular cartilage and inhibits the formation of superoxide enzymes and radicals that damage cartilage tissue. In addition, it prevents the violation of the biological synthesis of glycosaminoglycans that induce NSAIDs and prevents the destructive effect of glucocorticoids on chondrocytes.
Drug kinetics
After taking the “Chondroitin Complex” capsules in a usual dose, the highest content of chondroitin sodium sulfate in the blood is noted after 4 hours. A medication is excreted through the kidneys in a day.
The bioavailability of the drug is 13%.
As for glucosamine hydrochloride, it is absorbed from the intestine. Approximately 25% of this substance enters the cartilage and synovial membranes of the joints. Part of the drug in question is biotransformed in the liver. In this case, urea, water and carbon dioxide are formed.
Indications for taking capsules
What diseases does Chondroitin Complex treat? Reviews of experts report that this tool is very effective in pathological conditions of the spinal column and joints. It is prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, arthropathy, intervertebral osteochondrosis and spondylosis. Also, the drug can be used in the recovery period after fractures.
Contraindications
Capsules "Chondroitin Complex" is not recommended for:
- personal intolerance to its main and auxiliary substances;
- breastfeeding;
- tendency to bleeding;
- thrombophlebitis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- severe impaired renal and hepatic system;
- pregnancy
- phenylketonuria.
Also, this tool is not prescribed for children.
Capsules "Chondroitin Complex": instruction
Reviews of this medicine are described below.
This medication is intended for oral administration. Capsules should be swallowed as a whole, without chewing. It is recommended to drink them with plain water.
The drug is taken 35 minutes before a meal. The duration of treatment, as well as the exact dosage, is determined by the doctor and depends on the nature and severity of the disease.
Adults and adolescents from 15 years of age should take the medicine daily, one capsule twice a day. A month after the start of treatment, it is allowed to reduce the dose to one capsule per day.
Typically, the course of therapy with such a drug lasts 60 days. However, to achieve a sustainable result, experts recommend taking the medicine for six months. During this period, it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, and it is also required to reduce the amount of sugar consumed.
Side effects
What negative reactions occur while taking the chondroitin complex capsules? Customer reviews say that this tool can cause pain in the epigastric region, flatulence, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea or nausea.
Also, the drug contributes to the appearance of:
- skin rash, dermatitis, urticaria, pruritus, erythema, edema;
- dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, general weakness, headache, fatigue.
If such effects occur, stop taking the capsules and consult a doctor.
Drug price
The cost of the drug in question is 850-900 rubles for 60 capsules. It should also be noted that dietary supplements “SOLGAR glucosamine Chondroitin Complex” are often sold in pharmacies. Their price is much higher. As a rule, it is about 2800 rubles.
Reviews about the drug
Messages about capsules "Chondroitin Complex" are mostly positive. Patients who have repeatedly taken this medication indicate not only its high therapeutic effectiveness, but also a convenient form of release.
You can take capsules at home, at work, and on vacation.
As for the disadvantages of this tool, then they include the high cost of the medication, as well as a large number of adverse reactions. By the way, some patients complain that this remedy is rather difficult to find in pharmacies.