In the treatment of diseases of the joints and cartilage, Chondroxide gel is used as part of complex therapy. Instructions for use, price and reviews - this information should be studied before purchasing the drug. Is this drug so effective, as the advertisement says, what side effects and contraindications does it have and can it be replaced with a cheaper analogue?
Briefly about the medicine
Chondroxide gel belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. Judging by the reviews of patients, it helps to combat degenerative changes in cartilage and joints, as well as osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis of the spine. Its low cost and ease of use are noted.
Structure
The main active component of the Chondroxide gel is chondroitin sulfate. This is a natural substance that is obtained from the cartilage of cattle (cattle), and more precisely, from the trachea of animals. Chondroitin sulfate suspends changes and destruction of human cartilage tissue and belongs to the group of high molecular weight mucopolysaccharides. In addition, it suppresses the activity of enzymes that contribute to degenerative changes in cartilage, activates the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and stimulates the production of intraarticular fluid.
The instructions for the Chondroxide gel also indicate the following additional components that enhance the activity of the main substance:
- isopril alcohol;
- propylene glycol;
- dimethyl sulfoxide;
- sodium metabisulfite;
- ethanol;
- bergamot oil, which gives the orange aroma to the medicine;
- purified water.
The medicine is sold in metal tubes, has a yellowish tint and citrus aroma, the gel is translucent.
Gel action
Due to the dimethyl sulfoxide indicated in the instructions for the Chondroxide gel as an auxiliary component, uniform penetration of the active substance into the affected tissue is achieved. Patients note that after several uses of the drug, pain symptoms become less intense, joint mobility improves.
Those who used the medicine for osteochondrosis of the spine noted the rapid effect of the medication, in addition, degenerative processes slow down, and sometimes they can be completely stopped. Gel "Chondroxide" in 3-4 hours reaches its maximum concentration in blood plasma, and is excreted mostly by the kidneys within a day.
Is it always possible to use the drug
Despite the high efficacy and safety of the drug, in some cases, its use can be harmful instead of the expected benefits. Do not buy medication for patients who have acute inflammatory processes in the body, especially at the site of the intended application.
Also, the gel is contraindicated in a disease such as thrombophlebitis, is not recommended for use with a tendency to bleeding. Another prohibition on the use of Chondroxid gel is instructions for use and reviews of doctors called individual intolerance to the main component of the drug.
Negative reactions to use
If contraindications are ignored and the doctor’s recommendations for the use of the gel are not followed, the drug can provoke negative reactions of the body. This includes allergic skin rashes, severe itching and burning at the place of application of the medicine, as well as hyperemia.
Doctors warn: in the event of such a reaction of the body, the drug cannot be used further, it is necessary to adjust the treatment plan and choose a medicine that is more suitable for a particular patient.
Drug cost
In the instructions for use, the price of Chondroxid gel is not indicated. The cost of the drug depends on the region and the pricing policy of a particular pharmacy chain. On average, a tube of 30 grams will have to pay about 250 rubles. You can also purchase Chondroxid gel and medication analogues in online pharmacies. Often there the cost of the drug is 10-20 rubles lower.
You can also purchase medicine in tubes of 20 or 40 grams.
Special Conditions and Overdose
The drug earned positive feedback from patients because it is possible to use it while driving vehicles and during other work involving an increased concentration of attention. The main components in no way affect the speed of psychomotor reactions and do not inhibit the activity of the central nervous system.
In the process of using the Chondroxid gel, there were no cases of overdose. However, this does not mean that you can change the duration and frequency of use of the medication at your discretion.
Use for children, pregnant and lactating women
The gel is not prescribed for the treatment of children under 16 years of age. At an older age, the use of the drug is at the discretion of a specialist.
During the period of breastfeeding and in any trimester of pregnancy, the drug can be prescribed only in case of emergency. The attending physician will compare the expected benefits and possible harm and, on the basis of this, will decide on the treatment with Chondroxide of this group of patients.
Since studies on the effects of the active component on pregnant and lactating women have not been conducted, it is not possible to reliably assess the degree of risk and effectiveness of using the gel.
How to use Chondroxide for treatment
Chondroxide ointment or gel is used only externally. The duration of the course and the frequency of use are prescribed by the doctor individually and depend on the condition of the patient, concomitant diseases and the body's response to the medication.
Basically, the duration of application of the gel does not exceed 2-3 months in one course. After a month break, it can be repeated as prescribed by the doctor. Use an ointment or Chondroxide gel three times a day, apply a thin even layer around the affected area and rub it with light massage movements until the product is completely absorbed into the skin.
The positive aspects of the use of the gel by many patients include ease of use and the fact that it does not stain clothes and does not leave marks on the skin.
Compliance with safety of application
The instructions for use with the Chondroxid gel (we consider the analogues below) indicate the safety measures that must be observed during treatment with the medication.
Do not allow the drug to get on the mucous membranes of the eyes, as well as on scratches and wounds on the skin. Apply the gel only on undamaged areas of the epidermis. Also, during the treatment with the drug, ultraviolet rays (natural and artificial) should not be allowed to enter the skin. This is due to bergamot oil, which is part of the medication, which increases the skin's susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation.
How and where to store
The medicine does not need special storage conditions. It is enough to find a place where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees and where direct sunlight does not fall. You should also store the medication in a place inaccessible to children of any age.
Shelf life should not exceed 2 years.
A drug is produced in Russia by a pharmaceutical company from Nizhny Novgorod Nizhpharm.
Interaction with other drugs
Research on the cross-interaction of Chondroxide with other medicines has not been conducted. However, the patient must necessarily inform the doctor about all the drugs currently taken.
How to replace
If it is impossible to use Chondroxide, it can be replaced with drugs with a similar effect.
Chondroitin gel contains one active ingredient - chondroitin sodium sulfate. It differs from Chondroxide in a more extensive list of auxiliary components.
Indications for the use of Chondroitin include degenerative changes in the joints and cartilage, localized forms of spinal diseases.
The medicine is produced by the Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Fitofarm and costs a little less than Chondroxide - in the region of 180-200 rubles per 20 grams of the drug.
As a substitute also use the gel "Arthrafik" of the Russian manufacturer. It contains the same active substance as Chondroxide. The indications for use and contraindications of the drug are the same. The cost of the drug varies from 230 to 250 rubles.
A cheaper analogue that has the same indications for use is Chondroflex. The active component of the drug is the same, but the auxiliary components differ. It includes: white soft paraffin, purified water, lanolin and dimethyl sulfoxide. Due to the fact that there is no bergamot oil in the composition, there is no need to avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the parts of the body treated with the drug. The cost of a 30-gram tube is in the region of 150 rubles.
The opinion of doctors and patients
Reviews on the Chondroxide gel are primarily positive. Patients note that the medicine quickly eliminates pain symptoms and improves joint mobility. However, they also say that the gel helps only in the initial stages of the disease. If the problem is running, it’s unlikely that you can manage with one Chondroxide alone. You will have to undergo a full therapeutic course, including physiotherapy, medications, massages and special therapeutic exercises.
Another group of patients was not satisfied with the use of the drug. Patients note that the gel brings only temporary relief, and after the end of the course of treatment, all painful symptoms return again.
Doctors unanimously argue that the drug will give the expected result only in the case of complex treatment, it is not suitable for monotherapy.
Having examined the instructions for the Chondroxid gel and the price of the drug, we can conclude that the drug copes well with the task and is quite accessible to patients with even a small income.