Ortofen is a non-steroidal drug that is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is used to relieve pain and to relieve inflammation. To reduce the severity of the pathological process helps the active substance of the composition - diclofenac. This tool is produced by various Russian and foreign pharmaceutical companies.
Further, the article provides instructions for use and describes how Ortofen helps.
Release form and composition of the drug
As the instructions to Ortofen indicate, diclofenac sodium is the active substance in the composition of the drug. Various forms of the drug are produced, which may differ in the amount of the active ingredient:
- In the form of tablets, twenty-five or fifty milligrams in a single dose.
- In the form of a two percent ointment "Ortofen."
- In the form of a five percent gel.
- In the form of solutions for injection.
The components of Ortophen are cellulose derivatives along with povidone, magnesium stearate, oxides, polymers, sodium lauryl sulfate, yellow dye and lactose. Benzoates along with carbomers, purified water, sorbates, triethanolamine and ethyl alcohol serve as components in external forms.
Indications for appointment
According to the instructions to Ortofen, the following indications for the use of this drug are distinguished. These include:
- The presence of rheumatoid, chronic, juvenile arthritis.
- The development of ankylosing spondylitis, spondylitis, or rheumatism.
- The development of osteoarthritis or gouty arthritis.
- The appearance of bursitis or tenosynovitis.
- The presence of pain of the spine in the form of sciatica, lumbago, ossalgia, radiculitis, neuralgia, arthralgia, myalgia.
- The development of post-traumatic and postoperative pain in dentistry or in orthopedics. Indications for Ortofen should be strictly observed.
- The development of algodismenorea or adnexitis and other pelvic inflammation.
- The appearance of pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and other inflammations of the otolaryngological organs.
- This drug is not used for isolated fever, and in addition, in case of disease progression.
Dosage and administration of tablets
In accordance with the instructions to Ortofen, it is recommended to take the minimum effective dose of pills with the shortest possible course of therapy. All this is selected individually. The initial dosage is one hundred milligrams of the drug per day in several doses. For mild illness or prolonged treatment, seventy-five milligrams per day is taken. Ortofen tablets of prolonged exposure drink one hundred milligrams per day.
For night pain
In the event that the pain is more pronounced at night or in the morning, the medicine is taken at night. To enhance its effectiveness against night pain or morning stiffness during the day, patients are prescribed suppositories with diclofenac in a dosage of not more than one hundred and fifty milligrams.
In the presence of primary dysmenorrhea, fifty milligrams are taken per day, the initial dosage is the same amount of the drug. Correction in old age is not required. Patients with low body weight are advised to take the minimum dosage.
Use of the drug for hypertension
In the event that patients suffer from hypertension, they are prescribed no more than one hundred milligrams of the drug. Children older than a year are prescribed a dose of two milligrams per kilogram of weight in two divided doses. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the dosage of Ortofen tablets is increased to three milligrams per kilogram of weight, but not more than one hundred and fifty milligrams per day. Sustained-release tablets are prohibited for use until eighteen years of age.
Medication in the form of injections
According to the instructions to Ortofen, drug injections are administered deeply intramuscularly in a single dose of seventy-five milligrams. If necessary, a repeated administration is prescribed, but not earlier than twelve hours from the moment of the first injection.
The duration of therapy is, as a rule, two days, then the instruction involves the transfer of patients to oral or rectal use of the drug. In the most severe cases, the patient is given two injections of 75 milligrams with an interval of a couple of hours. The second injection is done in the opposite buttock.
Orthofen intramuscular injections of seventy-five milligrams once a day are combined with tablets, and in addition, with diclofenac-based suppositories, but not more than one hundred and fifty milligrams per day.
For migraines, this medicine is administered as early as possible at a dosage of seventy-five milligrams. The subsequent dosage on the same day is up to one hundred milligrams, but not more than one hundred and seventy-five in total in one day.
Ortofen injections are prohibited for use for patients under eighteen years of age.
Application of gel and ointment
For external use, Ortofen ointment, gel, and also a transdermal patch are intended. For patients from twelve years of age, the product is applied to the skin three times a day, and for children from six to two times.
According to the instructions, the duration of treatment cannot last more than two weeks. The patch is intended for applications on the skin. For patients who are over fifteen, they stick it on the skin in the area above the painful area for a whole day.
In the treatment of soft tissue injuries, the duration of use of the patch is about fourteen days. In case of damage to the joints and muscles, it takes three weeks.
Side effects from the use of the drug
The use of the drug can lead to the development of adverse reactions. The following side effects are highlighted in the instructions:
- The development of liver failure along with abdominal pain, necrosis, nausea, hepatitis, vomiting, pancreatitis, diarrhea. In addition, constipation is not ruled out along with a decrease in appetite, colitis, jaundice, digestive and diuretic disorders, as well as flatulence.
- An exacerbation of Crohn’s disease is likely, and ulcerative colitis and anorexia, along with damage to the esophagus, gastritis, glossitis, digestive bleeding, stomatitis and vomiting with blood, are also possible.
- Mental abnormalities are also likely, along with headache, irritability, dizziness, nightmares, drowsiness, and insomnia. Sensitivity disturbances are also possible along with depression, memory impairment, disorientation, tremors, aseptic meningitis, seizures, and anxiety.
- Well-being may also be accompanied by dysgeusia, blurred vision, diplopia, tinnitus, skin rash, purpura or urticaria, bullous rashes, photosensitivity, eczema, alopecia, erythema, dermatitis and amyotrophy.
- The appearance of papillary necrosis, hepatonecrosis, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria or nephritis is not ruled out.
- It is also possible the development of agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, hemophilia, hypoprothrombinemia or eosinophilia.
- In addition, allergies can occur along with angioedema, anaphylaxis, shock, decreased pressure, increased risk of heart attack, vasculitis, heart failure, swelling, asthma, shortness of breath and bronchial spasms.
Contraindications to the use of this medication
According to the instructions, the main contraindications to the use of the Ortofen preparation are the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug along with the aspirin triad, erosion or an ulcer in the digestive system, which is at the acute stage. Also a contraindication is proctitis and pregnancy, age up to eighteen years and cirrhosis.
The following conditions exist against which this drug is used with caution:
- With digestive diseases, bleeding and ulcer perforation.
- In old age and in the presence of hypertension.
- If you have Helicobacter pylori infection, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease.
- Against the background of impaired liver function and with hepatic porphyria.
- If a person has bronchial asthma, seasonal allergic rhinitis, swelling of the nasal mucosa, polyps and so on.
- With compensated heart failure and with peripheral vascular disease.
- In the presence of hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
- Against the background of arterial hypertension and with violations of the hemostatic system.
- In case of risk of thrombosis.
- With simultaneous administration with such drugs as Prednisolone, Warfarin, Clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid, Citalopram, Paroxetine, Fluoxetine and Sertraline.
- In case of smoking, alcoholism and azotemia.
Analogues of the drug
Replace the drug in question can those drugs that contain diclofenac or other anti-inflammatory components in the composition. So, the following medicines are analogues of Ortofen:
- The drug "Voltaren". This product is available in the form of a spray, tablets, injections, suppositories and a patch based on diclofenac.
- The medicine "Diklak" is sold in tablets, in the form of a gel, suppository and solution. All these medical forms contain diclofenac sodium.
- Means "Dicloberl". Available in the form of anesthetic suppositories with the same active ingredient.
- Diklovit medicine in the form of candles, gel, capsules based on B vitamins and diclofenac.
- Another analogue of Ortofen is the Dikloran medication. It is sold in the form of a solution, gel and tablets with the same substance in the composition.
- The medicine "Diclofenac" acts as a direct substitute for "Ortofen." This product is released in the form of a gel, injections, ointments, tablets, suppositories and drops.
- Medical tool "Naklofen".
- The drug "Olfen" is another substitute for "Ortofen", which is produced in the form of a gel, patch and suppositories with the same active substance.
- Means "Feloran".
Overdose with this drug
Symptoms of an overdose of this drug are the appearance of myoclonic seizures, stomach pain, bleeding, impaired kidney and liver function, dizziness, blurred consciousness, headache and hyperventilation of the lungs.
According to the instructions, in case of an overdose, people need to wash their stomach, as well as take enterosorbents. In this case, as a rule, syndromic therapy is carried out, forced diuresis with hemodialysis is usually not used.