More recently, patches have been used solely to protect open wounds from external influences. However, medicine does not stand still and is constantly evolving. Due to this, various patches with a therapeutic effect appeared on sale. In addition to relieving pain, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve swelling. "Versatis" is a patch that belongs to the group of painkillers designed to treat various diseases, including osteochondrosis.
The benefits of a medical patch
Unlike creams and ointments, plasters do not leave any visible marks on skin or clothing. Their use does not interfere with the usual way of life, in addition, they are completely painlessly removed from the skin. Anesthetic patches are used to treat almost all types of pain. In some cases, a person may experience an allergic reaction to the components that make up the patch. And this is perhaps the only negative of this tool.
Osteochondrosis patch
Osteochondrosis is a fairly well-known disease that occurs in most people. Unfortunately, it is extremely common. In some cases, doctors recommend a Versatis patch for patients with osteochondrosis.
Usually it affects people aged 30 to 40 years. However, the disease can develop at an earlier age. This is due to poor nutrition, metabolic disorders in the body, excessive load on the back and spine.
In this case, a person has a pain syndrome. Doctors recommend using local anesthetics (lidocaine and others) in this case. There are medications containing this substance that are available in a convenient form, such as a patch with Versatis lidocaine, reviews which is usually positive. This is a transdermal patch that relieves pain. Substances in the composition of this patch activate tissue healing.
It is easily attached to the desired part of the body, unlike a compress that slides. The patch remains in place and provides quick access to the active substance to the tissues.
The mechanism of action of the patch
The main active ingredient of this drug is lidocaine. It has a local analgesic effect and antiarrhythmic effect. If lidocaine is administered intravenously to the patient, the substance will act potently, but not for long enough - about 15 minutes. In tissues, it breaks up very quickly, acting for no more than an hour. Lidocaine comes out of the patch gradually and in small doses. This provides the optimal time of action of the drug on the body. If the patient has inflammation, the effectiveness of the anesthetic decreases slightly.
"Versatis" (patch) does not irritate the skin, helps to expand small vessels, increasing blood flow in the area of ​​application. The substance of the patch is well absorbed through the skin into the tissue. Then the main part of the active components, when passing through the liver, is converted into an inactive metabolite. When applied locally, it should be borne in mind that it is able to affect the entire body, penetrating into all tissues, including the brain, placenta, and breast milk.
How to improve the effectiveness of the patch
In some cases, it is possible to achieve a complete elimination of the pain syndrome at 2-4 weeks. If at the end of this period no improvement is observed, the specialist should review the treatment tactics.
Before the appointment of this tool, it is extremely important to make the correct diagnosis. Versatis is not intended for deep penetration into tissues. Therefore, lidocaine may not directly reach the causative agent of the pain syndrome, and the analgesic effect may either be mild or not occur at all.
Indications for use
"Versatis" is prescribed for various pathologies, for example, for pain due to the development of myositis, vertebrogenic pain. Often it is used for herpetic infections that provoke neuralgia.
When else can Versatis (patch) be used? The instruction for the drug has a fairly small list of indications. But there is confirmed evidence that this remedy is effective in the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis;
- osteoarthrosis;
- spondylosis.
Along with this, it perfectly relieves pain, cramps and cramps in muscle tissue. This suggests that the patch has a fairly wide scope.
Dosage and administration
The patch is intended for external use. It must be glued to the skin in a painful area. Keep the patch for a maximum of 12 hours. At the same time, no more than 3 adhesives can be glued.
If necessary, it can be cut into several parts, this is best done before removing the protective film. The patch cannot be glued to damaged or inflamed skin. It should be dry, without herpetic eruptions. The patch should be glued so that it covers the entire pain area. After application, it is removed. The interval between applications should be at least 12 hours. Versatis (patch) is not intended to be reused.
Glue it to the skin immediately, having previously removed it from the sachet and removing the plastic film from the adhesive layer. If necessary, the hair in the area of ​​application can be cut with scissors, but not shaved. This therapy should be carried out for 2-4 weeks. If at the end of this period the therapeutic effect does not appear, treatment should be discontinued. The effectiveness of treatment should be evaluated constantly to determine the optimal number of patches used simultaneously to cover the entire pain area. It is also necessary to determine the time between applications.
It is not recommended to use Versatis patch under the age of 18 years. There is no data on the safety and effectiveness of this patch in patients under the age of 18 years.
After gluing, “Versatis" (patch) should be disposed of as the active substance contains the active substance. Wash your hands immediately.
After removing from the skin, the patch is folded in half with the adhesive side inward so as not to touch the surface containing the active substance. Patches should not be accessible to children or pets.
Reviews about the drug
Many patients who used the patch as prescribed by the doctor leave only positive reviews about the drug. As a rule, they say that the patch helped to get rid of pain with osteochondrosis and other diseases. Some people write that thanks to this tool they can continue to work, forgetting about pain in the back, neck and other parts of the body.
As a rule, patients who used this patch as a therapeutic agent recommend it, noting that it relieves pain almost instantly and restores former mobility.
Contraindications to the use of Versatis
Reviews "Versatis" (patch) has mostly good. But, despite this, he has contraindications, which include:
- hypersensitivity to the drug;
- myasthenia gravis;
- disturbances in the liver;
- heart block;
- cardiogenic shock;
- weakness of the sinus node;
- congenital deviation of the structure of the heart;
- the occurrence of epileptiform seizures when using lidocaine.
The drug is used with caution in heart failure and liver pathologies. Do not glue the patch on a sore spot if the integrity of the skin is broken in this area. The tool is not recommended for people over 65 years of age. It is also contraindicated in case of general patient weakness.
Can I use this patch for pregnant women? Since the main active ingredient that contains Versatis is lidocaine, a patch for pregnancy and breastfeeding is prescribed only when the expected beneficial effect for the expectant mother exceeds the possible harm for the baby. It is noteworthy that there are no data on the safety of using Versatis in children under 18 years of age.
Side effects
It is important to note that during the use of the patch, the lidocaine, which it contains, acts systemically. Therefore, it can cause side effects outside the patch zone. For example, a patch can provoke a decrease in the protection of the immune system, hyperthermia, chills, fever and numbness of the limbs. In some cases, it can cause a short burning sensation in the area of ​​gluing, as well as itching, contact dermatitis or urticaria.
Among other side effects, the instructions indicate:
- angioedema;
- anaphylactic shock;
- vomiting and nausea;
- change in blood pressure;
- cramps and disorientation;
- loss of consciousness;
- dizziness and headache;
- drowsiness;
- nervous state or excitement of the central nervous system and others.
According to reviews, the Versatis pain reliever has a low risk of overdose.
The substance cimetidine contained in the drug increases the concentration of lidocaine in the blood, and barbiturates reduce its activity. Anticonvulsants may reduce the period of exposure to lidocaine. In combination with novocainamide, the drug can provoke the appearance of hallucinations and excitation of the central nervous system. It is also important to note that Versatis increases the effect on the body of anesthetic drugs and sleeping pills, increasing the inhibitory effect on the respiratory system. MAO inhibitors increase the duration of the anesthetic effect.
The "Versatis" patch, the instructions for use of which is in each package, should be used in accordance with the doctor's recommendations, since an overdose of the main active ingredient, lidocaine, is possible. What happens in case of poisoning? The patient may experience cramps, respiratory arrest, coma, collapse, heart block, tremor. It is also possible to lower blood pressure, dizziness, weakness and some other signs.
Treatment in this case consists primarily in the cancellation of this drug, then the patient is given pulmonary resuscitation, oxygen therapy, anticholinergics, vasoconstrictor and anticonvulsant drugs.
Analogs of the patch "Versatis"
Does Versatis (patch) have analogues? There is a tool with a similar effect - this is "Olfen." The drug is also available in the form of a patch. Other analogues of the drug with lidocaine are usually made in the form of creams (for example, Emla) or solutions for compresses and injections. These include: Artifrin, Luan, Lidocard, and Lycaine.
Features of Versatis
The patch is sold in a pharmacy and is dispensed without a doctor’s prescription. When using it, it should be borne in mind that it can affect the speed of the reaction. If the activity of a person using such a tool is associated with concentration, for example, driving a car, the patch should be used with caution.
After using the hands, wash and avoid contact of the active substance with the eyes.
Treatment should bring the desired effect within 2-4 weeks, otherwise a doctor should be visited.
After application, the patch is discarded. Unused plasters are stored in places that are inaccessible to children and pets.
Summing up, we can confidently say that the patch "Versatis" with osteochondrosis is a fairly safe way to treat the disease. Its negative effect on the body is minimized, and the result can be seen after a fairly short time. This is especially true for analgesic effects. However, all this will become possible only with proper use after the appointment by a doctor.
There is a remedy for each type of pain. The patch can be an excellent alternative to modern medicines. Such a remedy is dispensed without a prescription, but in any case, it requires contacting a doctor before use. This will help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment.