For pain in muscles and joints of various origins, patients often use the old proven Menovazin. The instruction reports that this topical preparation can also be used for skin lesions. It contains anesthetics that effectively relieve pain. This tool has been known for many decades. Is it out of date? Indeed, today there are more modern local anesthetics. However, doctors still use this drug in their practice. This medicine is safe and effective, it has a minimum of contraindications and undesirable effects. The price of the drug is low, this tool is available to all categories of patients.
Composition and effect of the drug
The composition of Menovazin includes 3 active components:
- Novocaine (procaine). This substance is a local anesthetic. It has a moderate analgesic effect. Procaine blocks sodium channels. As a result, pain impulses do not form in the nerve endings.
- Benzocaine. This substance acts similarly to novocaine. It also prevents the appearance of pain impulses in the endings of nerves.
- Menthol. It has a local irritating and vasodilating effect. Menthol enhances the effect of anesthetics, cools the skin and relieves itching.
The drug is produced in the form of a solution and ointment. These local remedies do not penetrate the blood, so they do not affect the internal organs.
The Menovazinum solution is a colorless liquid with a pungent menthol odor. In addition to the active components, this form of the drug contains ethyl alcohol. The solution is poured into bottles of various volumes: 40, 50 or 100 ml.
Ointment "Menovazin" is a mass of white with the smell of menthol. Otherwise, it is called Menovazan. It is packaged in tubes of 40 g. At the same time, 1 g of ointment contains 10 mg of each anesthetic (novocaine and benzocaine) and 25 mg of menthol. In addition, the composition of this form of the drug includes auxiliary ingredients: paraffin, water, mineral oil and emulsifiers. These substances contribute to better absorption of the active ingredients.
Indications
Orthopedic surgeons, as well as neurologists and dermatologists, often use the Menovazin preparation in their practice. Indications for use of ointment and solution are as follows:
- muscle pain of various etiologies (including after injuries);
- joint pain
- cervical neuralgia;
- dislocations and sprains;
- radiculitis;
- bone fractures and cracks;
- pinched nerves;
- back pain with osteochondrosis;
- varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
Doctors believe that this drug is especially effective for pain accompanied by a sensation of heat. This is due to the cooling effect of menthol, which is part of the drug. In addition, the drug can be used to relieve itching with insect bites, eczema and psoriasis.
Contraindications
This drug is quite safe, since it does not have a systemic effect on the body. It has few contraindications. However, the instruction of Menovazin does not recommend the use of this medicine in the following diseases and conditions:
- Ointment and solution should not be applied to inflamed skin, since the drug can cause local irritation.
- If there are injuries, wounds or pustules on the skin, then this remedy should not be used.
- If you are allergic to any component of the drug, you must abandon its use.
- The use of this medication is contraindicated in pregnancy. If the patient is worried about severe muscle or joint pain, then it is better to use local drugs with paracetamol. You should also avoid the use of ointment and solution during breastfeeding.
- Alcohol solution is not used in the treatment of children under 18 years of age. In such cases, it is better to use ointment.
Unwanted effects
In most cases, the drug is well tolerated by patients. However, the instruction of Menovazin warns of the possibility of developing local allergic reactions. This is usually observed in patients with individual intolerance to the ingredients of the ointment or solution.
In rare cases, a general reaction of the body to anesthetics is possible. It is expressed in dizziness, weakness, arterial hypotension. Such phenomena are usually observed with prolonged therapy. In these cases, discontinuation of treatment with this drug is required.
Overdose with topical administration was not observed. If a solution or ointment accidentally gets into the body, then you need to urgently flush the stomach and take enterosorbent. The penetration of this drug into the digestive tract can lead to abdominal pain and vomiting. In severe cases, seek medical attention. If the drug gets into the eyes, rinse the conjunctiva with plenty of water.
Mode of application
Ointment or solution is rubbed into a sore spot. The procedure is repeated three times a day. The course of treatment with Menovazine lasts no more than 4 weeks. If necessary, therapy is repeated after a break. The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor.
special instructions
As already mentioned, this medicine has only a local effect and does not have a systemic effect on the body. Therefore, it does not reduce concentration and reaction rate. During the course of treatment, you can drive vehicles and perform complex work.
Interaction with other medicines
According to the instructions of Menovazin. the drug does not interact with other drugs. It can be used together with local ointments and gels, as well as with tablet forms of medicines. This allows you to use the drug in the complex treatment of pain.
Storage, price and analogues
The Menovazin solution is stored at a temperature of no more than +15 degrees. It must be protected from exposure to light. The drug is suitable for use for 2 years. The same storage conditions are provided for ointment "Menovazin".
This drug can be purchased in pharmacy chains without a prescription. This is an inexpensive tool, its price is from 10 to 50 rubles.
Patients are often interested in Menovazin analogues. There are no drugs with the same combination of active ingredients. However, topical medications with a similar therapeutic effect can be selected. These include:
- Irikar.
- "Voltaren Emulgel."
- Apizartron.
Which of Menovazin's analogues is more effective? This question is often asked by patients. It all depends on the indications for use.
The most common analogue is Voltaren Emulgel. It has a pronounced analgesic effect. However, it does not include local anesthetics, but an anti-inflammatory agent - diclofenac. Unlike Menovazin, this ointment has no antipruritic effect. The price of Voltaren Emulgel is from 180 to 500 rubles.
Ointment "Apizartron" contains bee venom. It has anesthetic and local irritating effect. With skin itching, the ointment is ineffective. The price of the drug is from 240 to 350 rubles.
Ointment "Irikar" is a preparation containing plant components. Its composition includes tincture of the cardiosperm plant Halikakabsky (cardiac creeper). This medication is not intended to relieve pain. However, it effectively eliminates itching in eczema, dermatitis and insect bites. The price of the drug is from 215 to 590 rubles.
It can be concluded that more modern analogues of the drug have a significantly higher price. In pathologies with severe pain, Menovazin can be replaced by Voltaren Emulgel or Apizartron, and with skin itching, Irikar ointment is indicated.
Reviews about the drug from doctors and patients
You can find many positive reviews about Menovazin from doctors. Experts believe this tool is effective for joint and muscle pain. However, doctors do not recommend using the drug immediately on large areas of the skin. First you need to make sure there is no allergy to the medicine. To do this, a solution or ointment is applied to a small area of the skin and observe the local reaction. In the absence of redness and itching, the drug can be used on extensive areas of the body.
Patients respond to the drug as a reliable, proven and effective tool. "Menovazin" quickly relieves pain after fractures, sprains, as well as osteochondrosis and radiculitis. There are times when patients have tried many other more modern analgesic ointments. However, only an old and proven remedy helped them. This is due to the fact that the composition of Menovazin includes two powerful local anesthetics - novocaine and benzocaine.
In the reviews you can find information about the use of the drug for colds. Such use of this medication is not provided for by the instructions, but it is quite acceptable. Menthol acts as a distraction, while novocaine and benzocaine have small antiseptic properties. Patients write that rubbing the skin with the drug helped get rid of nasal congestion, relieve headache and aching joints. The drug is effective with prolonged cough. In this case, you need to apply the solution to the chest area.
Also, reviews of Menovazin reported the effectiveness of the solution for herpetic eruptions on the lips. Rashes in the mouth disappeared literally one day after the use of the drug. However, during treatment, great care must be taken, otherwise you can burn delicate skin on the lips.
The reviews practically do not contain information about the side effects of the drug. In most cases, this drug is well tolerated. The only disadvantages of this medication are its sharp menthol smell. However, this aroma is not unpleasant and quickly disappears.