Inflammatory processes in soft tissues, joints and bone structures often manifest themselves as pain, which can be combated with a variety of drugs. The medicine "Melbek", the instructions for which will be described in detail in this article, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can not only eliminate pain, but also relieve inflammation in the tissues. How does this remedy work? What dosage forms of the drug can be found in pharmacies and how to use them? Learn about it right now.
Release form, composition
The drug "Melbek" instructions describes how anti-inflammatory and analgesic. The medication is available in tablets and as a solution for injection. Both dosage forms contain the same active substance - meloxicam. Its solution contains 15 mg, in tablets "Melbek Forte" - the same amount. A slightly smaller volume of this compound is contained in Melbek tablets - 7.5 mg.
Additional substances that are part of the oral preparation are included in the standard list of components that allow meloxicam to reach the stomach and intestines unchanged. These are lactose, magnesium stearate, aerosil, sodium citrate and povidone. Injection, in addition to meloxicam, contains water, sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide, glycofurfural and glycine.
Description of dosage forms
The Melbek tablets are described by the manual as follows: round light yellow with a risk on one of the surfaces. The same dosage form, but with a high content of active substance (Melbek Forte), looks the same, with the only difference being that two risks in the form of a cross are applied to the tablets. Both types of tablets are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces each.
Injection Instruction Describes as a clear yellowish liquid that does not contain any foreign matter. It is poured into transparent glass ampoules of 1.5 ml each. One package contains no more than 3 ampoules with a solution.
pharmachologic effect
The instruction calls the feature of the active ingredient of the Melbek preparation the ability to act on the synthesis centers of second-level prostaglandins (COX-2), practically without affecting COX-1. Thus, drugs practically do not cause adverse reactions from the digestive system of patients.
At least 89% of the active substance is absorbed from the digestive tract. A stable level of meloxicam is observed after three days from the start of therapy with the drug "Melbek". The instructions for use also contain information that with prolonged treatment with a drug (even more than 1 year), the effect of the accumulation of active substances and their metabolites in the tissues does not occur.
As a result of metabolism, meloxicam almost completely breaks down to the simplest inactive substances that are excreted from the body during the day, a maximum of two. Their half-life is 20 hours.
Indications
Melbek and Melbek Forte tablets are prescribed for use in the following diseases:
- rheumatoid arthritis (as symptomatic therapy);
- osteoarthritis, arthrosis and other degenerative diseases of the articular apparatus (as an anesthetic);
- myalgia, dorsalgia, lumbago and sciatica.
In addition, the drug successfully fights tooth, muscle and headache, and also alleviates the condition of patients in the postoperative period or with injuries.
In these situations, it is recommended to use the solution "Melbek". Injections, instructions, reviews of doctors and patients are considered very effective in relation to pain of any origin, however, there are some features of their application. We will talk about this a little later, in the section on the dosage of the drug "Melbek".
Dosage of the drug and methods of administration
How does Melbek recommend the use of the drug? Tablets in a dosage of 7.5 mg are indicated for the treatment of pain with inflammation of the joints with degenerative dynamics. The number of tablets per day should not exceed 1 piece. Only with intense ongoing pain can the daily dose be increased to 15 mg.
With rheumatoid arthritis at the initial stage of treatment, the daily dose is 15 mg. After stabilization of the patient's condition, it is reduced by half, to 7.5 mg per day.
Melbek pills instruction recommends drinking plenty of fluids, preferably water. Eating does not affect the absorption of the active substance. However, experts advise drinking pills after eating. In this way, irritation of the gastric mucosa can be avoided.
What does the instruction for use say about the method of using the Melbek solution? Injections should be given only in the first days of therapy. After the analgesic effect of the drug becomes stable, it is necessary to change this dosage form to oral. To achieve a positive effect, it is important that the solution enters the deepest layers of the muscles.
The maximum daily dose of this dosage form is, as is the case with tablets, 15 mg.
Adverse reactions
Side effects when taking the drug "Melbek" are considered typical for all drugs belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are characterized by a direct negative effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract as a whole. Hence the most common adverse reactions in the treatment with Melbek medicine in the form of dyspeptic disorders, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and flatulence. The intensification of these symptoms up to ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract occurs if the recommended dosages are not observed.
Among the side effects in the treatment with the drugs "Melbek" and "Melbek Forte", the instruction mentions violations of the hematopoiesis system, central nervous system, sensory organs and respiratory system. In addition, the medicine in some cases can provoke an increase in blood pressure. Patients may also be disturbed by edema, palpitations, and a rush of blood to the head and face.
In some cases, a negative effect of the drug on the skin was noted. In particular, about 1% of patients suffered photosensitization and allergic rashes. In very rare cases, when taking any dosage form of the drug "Melbek" severe reactions may occur up to anaphylactic shock.
Contraindications
The medicine "Melbek" is not recommended if the patient has previously had cases of allergic reactions in the form of asthma, angioedema and urticaria on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, in particular, on aspirin. In addition, tablets are very carefully prescribed for erosive and ulcerative diseases of the stomach and duodenum 12 in the acute stage. Also, do not prescribe the drug to people with impaired liver and kidney function. A serious contraindication is considered to be the patient's age up to 15 years.
Pregnancy and lactation
In many patients with pain, the question arises as to whether the use of Melbek is allowed during pregnancy. Instructions for use, injections and tablets which are described in sufficient detail, contain information that during the carrying of a child both dosage forms are better not to use. The fact is that the active substance of the drug penetrates into the synovial fluid and overcomes placental barriers. Despite the fact that no teratogenic effect was detected during laboratory tests, the risk to the fetus remains high.
special instructions
For a number of diseases and situations, it is necessary to carefully consider the dosage of the drug. In some cases, you may need to cancel the drug "Melbek". For example, if there is a high risk of bleeding in the digestive tract, the medicine should be canceled as soon as possible. The same applies to patients with impaired renal function, in particular with a reduced level of blood flow in these organs. With the continuation of the course of treatment with the Melbek medicine, the instruction warns of the possibility of developing acute renal failure.
Experts note that renal failure is also often manifested in patients with cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and those who are forced to take diuretics due to concomitant diseases.
Long-term treatment with Melbek is contraindicated in elderly patients .
Overdose
If the recommended doses of the drug are exceeded, patients may experience symptoms similar to those described in the section on side effects. There is no specific medicine to eliminate poisoning, so experts recommend washing the stomach, as well as taking absorbents inside. In addition, symptomatic therapy gives a good effect. At the same time, doctors note that hemodialysis and other methods of removing fluid from the body, including forced diuresis, with an overdose of meloxicam do not give any result. The only thing that can help the rapid elimination of this compound from the body is the drug "Colestyramine".
Drug interaction
Concerning joint reception with other drugs of the medicine "Melbek" instructions for use advises to pay special attention, because in some cases, combinations of funds may not be the most favorable for the health of the patient. Here are some examples of how taking several drugs at once, including Melbek, can affect the condition of patients:
- Anticoagulants such as Heparin and Ticlopidine, in combination with meloxicam, reduce blood coagulation and can cause serious bleeding.
- Containing lithium preparations while taking Melbek can cause an overdose of lithium.
- Alpha-blockers and other painkillers taken with meloxicam have lower efficacy.
- The diuretics taken during the treatment period with the Melbek medicine can act so strongly that the risk of dehydration and the development of acute renal failure is significantly increased.
- The effectiveness of intrauterine contraceptives when taken together with the drug "Melbek" is reduced, so it is important to take additional measures to protect against unwanted pregnancy.
- Cyclosporin in combination with the drug "Melbek" can provoke an increase in the nephrotoxic effect of the latter.
Given all of the above factors, it is important to seriously approach the issue of prescribing drugs along with Melbek in the form of tablets and injection. Experts advise to always inform them of the possibility of co-administration of various drugs.
Analogs
The following medicines are analogues of the Melbek drug for the active (active) substance: Meloxicam (including Meloxicam-Pram and Meloxicam DS), Movalis, Mocassin and Mesipol. With these medicines, if necessary, you can replace the drug "Melbek". They have the same indications, side effects and contraindications.
Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with anti-rheumatic effect, not containing meloxicam, are considered to be analogues in terms of the rendered effect. These include drugs "Ketanov", "Ambene" and "Faspik." Their use is justified if the patient has intolerance to meloxicam.
Doctors reviews
According to experts, the drug "Melbek" is one of the best drugs that help reduce pain in diseases such as arthritis and arthrosis. In addition, they note that against the background of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this medicine does not have a pronounced negative effect on the digestive system, even with prolonged use. This is what is considered an important point in the appointment of an NSAID treatment.
Regarding the duration of taking the drug "Melbek" instructions, reviews of experts indicate that you can take it for several months. At the same time, it is important to constantly be monitored by a doctor in order to timely detect the appearance of unwanted reactions of the body to the drug.