The drug “Flexen” in the instructions for use is defined as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is a derivative of propionic acid. The medicine exhibits antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, as well as analgesic activity.
The active substance of the drug "Flexen" is ketoprofen. Its mechanism of action is associated with a decrease in the active main enzyme involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid, which is considered the precursor of prostaglandins, and they, in turn, play a major role in the pathogenesis of pain and inflammation. Instructions for use with Flexen are very detailed.
Pharmaceutical Properties
The analgesic activity of ketoprofen can be explained by two main mechanisms: the central one - through the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the effect on the natural properties of other neurotropic substances that play a major role in the release of pain mediators in the cerebrospinal fluid; peripheral - through the suppression of prostaglandin production.
In addition, ketoprofen is able to exhibit anti-bradykinin activity, inhibiting platelet aggregation and significantly reducing the effect of neutrophils in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it stabilizes lysosome membranes, the key function of which is the breakdown of various substances.
What does the application instruction for Flexen tell us?
Release form and composition
The drug is commercially available in several forms of release:
- Capsules - gelatin soft oblong shape, pale yellow. They contain a suspension of an oily structure. There are 6 pieces in a plate, in a package - 2 plates in a cardboard bundle. This is confirmed by the instructions for use with Flexen capsules.
- Rectal suppositories (candles). They have the form of torpedoes, oily to the touch, white. Contain Ketoprofen - 100 mg. There are 6 candles in a strip, 2 strips in a package (cardboard pack).
- The gel is transparent, uniform. It has no color. Contains Ketoprofen - 25 mg. Available in tubes - 30 and 50 g, in a cardboard bundle one tube.
- Ampoules - in 1 ampoule, lyophilized white powder + one ampoule with a solvent (water for injection and benzyl alcohol). In a cardboard bundle of 6 sets. Each ampoule of this medication contains 100 mg of the main substance - ketoprofen, and additional components.
Indications for use
According to the instructions for use, "Flexen" in the form of a lyophilisate is used for the preparation of solutions and their subsequent intramuscular injection. The main indications for the appointment of this medication are the following pathological conditions:
- osteochondrosis, accompanied by radicular syndrome;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- gout;
- bursitis;
- neuralgia of various etiologies;
- tenosynovitis;
- sciatica;
- radiculitis.
As indicated by the instructions for use with Flexen suppositories, they are very often prescribed for the relief of pain syndrome of various origin and intensity:
- pain with bruises, fractures, all kinds of muscle sprains;
- Toothache
- cephalgia, migraine;
- painful menstruation;
- postoperative pain of various kinds;
- post-traumatic pain;
- pain syndrome on the background of cancer.
Contraindications
Before you start using injections of the drug "Flexen", it is recommended that you carefully read the proposed annotation, since this drug has some serious contraindications. These include the following.
- Pathologies of the digestive tract in the process of exacerbation - erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer, duodenitis, etc.
- The occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding or suspicion of them.
- Circulatory system diseases characterized by bleeding disorders, such as thrombocytopenia or hemophilia.
- Pathologies of the liver and kidneys, which are accompanied by a violation of the functions of these organs.
- The period before surgery on the heart or other operations on the cardiovascular system.
- Chronic heart failure.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Age to 18 years.
- Hypersensitivity or intolerance to substances such as ketoprofen and acetylsalicylic acid. Particular attention should be paid to this information in the instructions for use of "Flexen".
There is also a list of relative contraindications in which the drug should be used with caution. These conditions include:
- diabetes;
- allergic rhinitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- polyps in the nasal cavity;
- anemia
- chronic alcoholism;
- arterial hypertension.
Also, caution should be taken in patients over 65 years of age.
Dosage and administration
Before use, the lyophilisate of the drug "Flexen" must first be combined with the solvent supplied with it. The resulting solution should be used for intramuscular administration. Following the instructions, you can determine the following dosages of a medical product, depending on the type of pathology.
To eliminate acute pain syndrome of unknown origin, 100 mg of medication (1 ampoule) is prescribed 2 times a day. If absolutely necessary, you can make 3 injections, but it is very important not to exceed the dosage of more than 300 mg per day, otherwise the risk of developing adverse reactions and all kinds of complications is very high.
Injection is usually done in the upper quadrant of the buttock deep into the muscle mass. The drug should be administered slowly.
The duration of a course of treatment with a medicine is determined by a specialist, but in most cases it does not exceed 5 days. If the therapeutic effect of such injections is absent, then the patient should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and correct therapy.
Instructions for use of the "Flexen" gel indicate that it should be applied topically, in a small amount and in a thin layer. The substance is rubbed slightly into the skin over the site of inflammation. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a day. Only in this way the tool will be effective.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews of the Flexen gel.
The course of treatment lasts no more than two weeks. Further use should be coordinated with the attending physician.
According to the instructions for use with Flexen tablets (capsules), they are swallowed whole and washed down with water. Do not chew. The drug is indicated for use after a meal. Dosage - 2-6 capsules per day as directed by a doctor.
What does the instruction for applying to Flexen candles tell us? This form of the drug is used rectally. The daily dosage is 1-2 suppositories.
Use during lactation and pregnancy
The use of a pharmacological drug during the first trimester of pregnancy is strictly contraindicated, since the main substance that is included in its composition - ketoprofen, is absorbed into the systemic circulation and can have a negative effect on the formation of internal organs of a developing fetus.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the use of this lyophilisate is possible only in cases where the expected positive effect for a pregnant woman exceeds the risk to the health of the unborn child.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the use of the drug "Flexen" is also not recommended, since this can cause premature discharge of amniotic fluid, bleeding during childbirth, and a violation of the respiratory functions of the fetus and newborn baby.
Injectable medication is not recommended for use during breastfeeding, as this can also harm the baby. If the drug is necessary for use, a woman should temporarily stop lactation (for the period of treatment with this medication).
Adverse reactions
During therapy with this pharmacological drug, in patients with high sensitivity to ketoprofen, the following side effects are sometimes observed:
- From the side of the central nervous system - impaired coordination, insomnia, psychomotor overexcitation, increased nervousness, headache, loss of consciousness, impaired memory, phenomena of peripheral neuropathy.
- From the digestive organs - stomach pain, lack of appetite, exacerbation of chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer, heartburn, nausea, in some cases - vomiting, flatulence, the occurrence of reactive pancreatitis, digestive bleeding, perforation of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, hepatitis, increase hepatic transaminases.
- From the side of the heart and blood vessels - heart palpitations, increased blood pressure.
- From the respiratory system - bronchospasms, increased attacks of bronchial asthma, swelling of the mucous membranes, a feeling of lack of air and persistent shortness of breath.
- From the urinary system - edema, interstitial nephritis, renal failure, hematuria, nephrotic syndromes.
- From the circulatory system - anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.
- Allergic phenomena - skin rashes, exudative erythema, urticaria, itching of the skin, photodermatitis, Quincke's edema, in some cases, even anaphylactic shock.
- Local reactions - the formation of painful infiltrates at the injection sites, hematomas, swelling of the skin in these areas.
Drug overdose
In the case of the recommended dosage of the drug "Flexen" or prolonged uncontrolled use of this drug, it is possible to develop overdose phenomena, which can manifest themselves as follows:
- the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding;
- indomitable vomiting;
- the formation of erosion and ulcers on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract;
- various disorders of the heart;
- development of renal or liver failure.
When the first symptoms of an overdose appear, treatment should be discontinued. The antidote of the drug does not exist, therefore, patients with an overdose are usually given symptomatic treatment.
Drug interaction
When using the “Flexen” medication against the background of anticoagulant therapy, as well as simultaneously with antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics, and other drugs from the NSAID group, the risk of bleeding and other serious side effects from the gastrointestinal tract increases sharply.
Under the influence of the drug "Flexen" the therapeutic effect of the use of antihypertensive drugs, as well as some diuretics, is reduced.
With simultaneous administration with glucocorticosteroids and estrogens, the risk of side effects also increases.
When prescribing injections of this drug with heparin and oral anticoagulants, the risk of bleeding increases sharply.
Ketoprofen enhances the therapeutic effect of hypoglycemic drugs and insulin, therefore, with diabetes, dose adjustment and control of blood glucose levels are required.
With the simultaneous use of the drug with antacid medicines or “Colestyramine”, the absorption of the first decreases, therefore, its therapeutic effect is significantly reduced.
This is indicated in the instructions for use. Feedback on Flexen is given below.
special instructions
With caution, the drug is prescribed to patients with pathologies of the liver and kidneys, which in the history were accompanied by a violation of the functions of these organs.
People with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer should consult a specialist, since the introduction of this medication can provoke an exacerbation of such diseases and gastrointestinal bleeding.
During the treatment with the Flexen medication, you should not take alcoholic beverages, since when you interact with ketoprofen with alcohol, the risk of toxic effects on the liver and central nervous system increases.
During treatment, it is recommended to abandon driving a car and other equipment, as well as work that requires increased attention.
All this is described in the instructions for use.
Flexen injections, as well as other forms of release, have analogues.
Analogs
Analogues of a drug are:
- Chondrogard;
- Movalis
- "Meloxicam";
- Chondrolone.
In the instructions for use to "Flexen" analogues are not indicated.
Reviews
Most patients who used this medication left positive reviews about it. They noted that the medicine perfectly removes any pain syndrome, rarely causing adverse reactions. Many indicate that the medication has a very quick effect: within a few minutes after the injection, acute pains of a different nature are relieved.
Doctors also respond very positively to the drug, indicating that it is often used to relieve pain symptoms after various surgical interventions.
"Flexen" is well tolerated, rarely causes side effects. But it is important to follow the instructions for use.
Feedback on Flexen candles is also positive.
The drug is prescribed for ovarian cysts. Judging by the reviews of many women, it acts very effectively. After treatment with the drug for two weeks and the subsequent intake of additional funds, the cyst disappears. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use. Candles "Flexen" in gynecology are very popular and popular.
According to reviews, the Flexen gel is indispensable for back pain. People who put it into practice were very pleased with it.