Drug treatment is an integral step in the fight against symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. This ailment is increasingly manifested in representatives of the younger generation. Pills will help eliminate the pain caused by it. From osteochondrosis of the cervical spine specialists usually recommend taking a complex of drugs. Analgesics and medicines that normalize the work of muscle tissue are essential components of therapy. Let us consider in more detail the types of drugs, indications for their use and reviews.
Osteochondrosis - what kind of ailment?
One of the common pathologies at present is osteochondrosis - degenerative-dystrophic changes affecting the spine. The first symptoms of the disease can occur in the form of minor pain in the spine in the teenage period.
The main reason for the development of a pathological condition is a sedentary lifestyle. Predisposing factors are spinal injuries, metabolic disorders, hereditary predisposition, the presence of excess weight.
First of all, the intervertebral discs suffer from the disease. The core of the disc holds the fibrous ring. When the functions of the latter are weakened, the protrusion of the nucleus occurs. At this stage, it is important to start treatment in order to prevent severe consequences in the form of an intervertebral hernia.
Depending on the localization of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine, the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral types of osteochondrosis are distinguished.
Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms
The cervical spine, consisting of seven vertebrae, is constantly under stress. The nerve bundle that passes through the vertebrae in this place connects the peripheral parts of the whole body with the brain. Therefore, at the slightest changes in the state of the intervertebral cartilage, negative reactions occur from systems and organs.
Frequent dizziness, tension in the neck, decreased vision, sharp jumps in blood pressure, sharp pain when trying to turn the head, extending to the shoulder blades and back of the head - this is how cervical osteochondrosis manifests. Treatment with pills is considered the most optimal option to eliminate discomfort and discomfort.
How to treat?
The methods of therapy will depend on which department dystrophic changes began in. It is important to use in the treatment process not only pain relievers, but also those that will activate the processes of restoration of cartilage tissue. The treatment regimen is selected only individually for each individual case.
Timely started therapy will help prevent blood circulation disturbance, which, in turn, causes certain symptoms. Tablets from cervical osteochondrosis have a different spectrum of effects. The following categories of medicines are used to treat pathology:
- painkillers (analgesics);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- medicines to improve blood circulation;
- hormonal drugs (used in extreme cases);
- chondroprotectors (cartilage restoration pills);
- vitamins;
- antidepressants.
It is important to contact a neurologist in a timely manner when the first signs of osteochondrosis appear . The doctor will prescribe a more detailed diagnosis of the cervical spine (magnetic resonance or computed tomography) to determine the degree of degenerative changes. Depending on the results obtained, drugs for drug exposure are selected.
What pills for cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed first of all?
With degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the spine, patients experience rather painful sensations due to the inflammatory process that affects the nerve root. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend starting therapy with pain relief. Anesthetics pills cope with this task. For cervical osteochondrosis, drugs from the NSAID category and analgesics will be effective: Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Ketanol, Analgin, Piroxicam, Tribuzon. For severe pain, it is recommended to use painkillers in injections.
Cervical osteochondrosis often provokes the occurrence of dizziness and numbness of the hands. This is caused by insufficient blood circulation in the brain, because inflammation in the spine compresses the artery and narrows its lumen. Vasodilator drugs will help eliminate the brain’s oxygen starvation and its consequences.
Chondroprotectors
One of the new types of medicines in pharmacology are chondroprotectors. The drugs are based on chondroitin and glucosamine - substances necessary for the rapid regeneration of tissues of the intervertebral disc. In addition, they contribute to the improvement of metabolic processes and significantly slow down the development of the pathological process. The following medications are the most effective chondroprotectors:
- Structum.
- Chondroxide.
- "Don."
- "Artron Flex".
- Teraflex.
- "Arthra."
- "Movex".
- "Artron Complex".
Injections and pills for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine from the group of chondroprotectors are necessarily part of complex therapy. The mechanism of action of drugs is based on the restoration of the required amount of chondroitin in the cartilage tissue. This substance is responsible for moisture retention, elasticity and the production of hyaluronic acid.
With a lack of chondroitin, the process of cartilage destruction starts. To obtain a positive result, taking drugs from this category is recommended for at least three months.
Structum: a description of the drug
The domestic pharmaceutical industry suggests using the Structum preparation for the treatment of osteochondrosis. Tablets contain one active substance - chondroitin sodium sulfate (250 or 500 mg). The drug is released in the form of capsules with powder inside. As auxiliary components, talc, indigo carmine, titanium dioxide and gelatin are used.
The therapeutic effect of the drug is to establish metabolic processes that occur in the cartilage and bone tissue. Chondroitin sulfate improves the condition of the synovial fluid, increasing its density and viscosity, stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid. The maximum concentration of the drug in the plasma is observed 3-4 hours after taking the tablets.
Instructions for the use of Structum tablets
The main indication for the use of the drug is degenerative processes occurring in the tissues of the spine: osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, fractures, osteoarthritis. Structum (tablets) is recommended to be taken twice a day. The recommended dosage for patients older than 15 years is 1000 mg. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the pathological condition. According to the instructions, the drug should be taken for about 6 months.
With a tendency to bleeding, thrombophlebitis, hypersensitivity to any of the components, it is forbidden to take these pills. Structum is not prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during pregnancy and lactation. The drug is not suitable for the treatment of patients under 15 years of age.
In rare cases, the side effects of chondroprotector may develop side effects: allergic skin reactions, nausea, vomiting.
Pills "Don"
An Italian glucosamine-based preparation contains 750 mg of active ingredient. In addition to tablets, the medicine is released in the form of an injection and powder. The main objective of the medication is to restore the cartilage tissue and slow down the processes of its destruction against the background of osteochondrosis.
Glucosamine, as the main active ingredient, provides increased cartilage strength, prevents the formation of radicals that worsen the state of tissue structures, improves cartilage elasticity and synovial fluid composition.
It is recommended to take the drug "Don" (tablets) for cervical osteochondrosis in case of pain in the spine. The drug effectively relieves unpleasant symptoms and relieves inflammation by eliminating the lack of glucosamine.
The active substance normalizes the enzymatic processes and permeability of the joint capsule. It is recommended to take pills both for prophylaxis and for the treatment of various pathologies of the spine and joints. According to the instructions, the drug is taken twice a day for 1 tablet (750 mg). Improvement is observed after 2-3 weeks.
Contraindications
Dona tablets are prescribed with caution to patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency. Do not use the medicine to treat children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women. It is forbidden to use the drug with hypersensitivity to glucosamine or auxiliary components.
Patient Reviews
Pills for cervical osteochondrosis "Don", despite the rather high cost (about 1700 rubles per pack), are considered one of the most popular chondroprotectors. The medicine rarely provokes the development of adverse events, even with prolonged use. The positive dynamics of patients taking the drug "Don" in tablets are observed already a few weeks after the start of therapy.
Arthra tablets
Chondroitin and glucosamine are the main active ingredients contained in the drug "Artra" (USA). Chondroprotector effectively prevents the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue, relieves inflammation from the damaged area of the spine, and stimulates the synthesis of chondroitin. A component such as sodium hyaluronate helps restore joint mobility and improve synovial fluid composition.
Artra tablets are intended for the treatment of osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and damage to the spinal column. The tool will have the greatest effectiveness at the initial stage of development of the pathology of the spine. In the first three weeks, take the drug twice a day, 1 tablet. Then the dosage is reduced to 1 pill. The dosage of the tablets is determined by the doctor. The course of treatment is six months.
What do patients say?
Tablets for cervical osteochondrosis are selected by a neuropathologist. With regular use, the drug "Arthra" significantly improves the well-being of patients suffering from degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the spine. The advantage of the medication is the presence in the composition of two substances necessary for the regeneration of damaged cartilage and bone tissue.