Dicloran Plus is a drug that falls into the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory category with an active substance such as diclofenac. It is made in the form of a gel and applied externally. The proper use of it in accordance with the instructions, possible contraindications and especially the combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs will be discussed in the article below.
The composition of this drug
The main active ingredients of the drug "Dicloran Plus" are: sodium diclofenac (one gram ten milligrams); methyl salicylate (per one gram one hundred milligrams); levomenthol (per one gram of fifty milligrams); flaxseed oil (30 mg). Auxiliary components are as follows: distilled water, butylhydroxinazole, carbomer, benzyl alcohol. The basis is diclofenac, which has the following effects: anti-inflammatory, antiexudative (reducing vascular permeability), pain medication.
The methyl salicylate in Dicloran Plus also has a significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. This substance blocks prostaglandin synthesis - organic substances that stimulate the inflammation process. Levomenthol causes skin irritation, thus accelerating the penetration of the drug combination. Flaxseed oil normalizes metabolic processes between cells.
Indications for the use of a medication
The composition of the Dicloran Plus ointment is precisely chosen so that the effect of any component is enhanced by another. The amounts of methyl salicylate and diclofenac used are quite low to minimize the manifestation of negative and side effects (these substances are quite toxic in their pure form).
In accordance with the instructions, its indication for use is the presence of a number of symptoms and diseases:
- rheumatic inflammation of the soft tissues with the active process of inflammation;
- muscle pain (non-rheumatic and rheumatic origin);
- inflammation after trauma (joint bags, joints and soft tissues);
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system with inflammation.
When using Dicloran Plus, the active substances penetrate only into the fiber under the skin, almost not absorbed in the blood plasma, so it has a local effect.
Release Forms
The drug is made in the form of a gel in tubes of metal with a volume of 50, 30 and 10 grams. The dosage of active and excipients is unchanged. Dicloran Plus used to be produced with a special applicator that applied the ointment, but subsequently the manufacturer refused such a complete set.
Application
According to the instructions for use, Dicloran Plus is applied in a thin layer to the affected skin area and rubbed with massage movements until it is completely dry. It is not recommended to use this gel at the same time with other anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agents, including those based on plant components (with hot pepper extract, menthol, etc.). The gel should be applied exclusively to the inflamed area. After it has been used, it is recommended to cover the treated area with a dry gauze compress or tie it with a woolen scarf, which enhances the effect of diclofenac. Patients are interested in whether Dicloran Plus is allowed to be used in the presence of temperature. Regarding this situation, there are no prohibitions from the manufacturer. But an elevated body temperature can indicate the presence of an infectious articular lesion, so before use it is necessary to consult a specialist to make the correct diagnosis.
Contraindications
In accordance with the official instructions, the absolute contraindication to the use of "Dicloran Plus" are: intolerance of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs to the patient; violation of the integrity of the skin (forbidden to apply to scratches or wounds); patient age up to six years; allergic reaction to the substance of the drug. The gel is prescribed with caution in chronic renal and liver failure, as well as in bronchial asthma. The drug itself has a pungent odor that can cause a gag reflex in some patients, and this must be taken into account. Also in old age it is advisable to abandon the use of this drug (as well as any other drugs based on diclofenac, since they can adversely affect the functioning of the weakened heart and blood vessels). During breastfeeding, the use of Dikloran Plus gel is prohibited. During pregnancy - exclusively in the last trimester, that is, from the sixth month until the birth. This is due to the fact that the active component is able to penetrate into the blood plasma, into the breast milk and the placenta. Although there is a minimal likelihood of adverse effects (since the concentration of the active substance is very low), the necessary clinical trials have not been conducted.
Dosage and therapeutic course
In accordance with the recommendation of specialists, it is advisable to apply Dikloran Plus to the affected area every four hours 2-4 times a day (most often not).
For a single use, the dosage can reach up to three grams, which is determined by the area of the inflamed area. The treatment course can reach up to ten days or the complete elimination of painful manifestations. Then, a five-day break is necessarily observed, since diclofenac can be addictive in the patient - the effect of its use in this case is noticeably reduced or even nullified. This confirms the instructions for use for Dicloran Plus.
Feasible side effects
Side effects from using the drug may occur.
Local reactions: eczema, swelling, rash, peeling and inflammation of the skin. If these symptoms occur, this does not mean that you need to cancel the treatment, however, consult with a specialist regarding the possible use of an analogue that does not contain methyl salicylate and diclofenac.
Systemic reactions: a rash on the skin outside the area that was treated, bronchial asthma and urticaria. The annotation also indicates that in some patients prolonged use of the drug provokes the occurrence of photosensitization - excessive body sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (for example, to the sun). This is another type of allergic reaction. To eliminate such symptoms, a single dose of Aleron, Tsetrin, or Diazolin is allowed, after which you need to contact a specialist with a request for the selection of a similar drug.
Analogues of ointment "Dicloran Plus"
Cheap analogues of the drug and identical in composition are such drugs as:
- "Fanigan Fast." Its active ingredients are identical, there are slight differences only in concentration, and there is an ammonia solution in additional substances (because of this, the ointment has a sharp unpleasant odor). The average cost is 120 rubles per 100 grams.
- "Flamidez Gel." There are some differences in composition. The main substance is the same, but its quantity is greater. The average cost is 175 rubles.
Preparations with a similar therapeutic effect, but with a different composition, are as follows: Indomethacin Sofarma, Finalgel, Naproxen-Acre.
The reason, which is enough to replace the drug with one of the drugs, can only be the recommendation of a specialist. Change it yourself, focusing only on the composition and price, it is impossible.
Reviews about Dicloran Plus
Since the drug is dispensed without a prescription and has diclofenac in its composition, it has become popular among patients. About its practical application, there are quite a lot of reviews in various forums, not only positive, but also negative.
Thus, Dicloran Plus is another gel based on diclofenac, which is intended for the treatment of various inflammations of the musculoskeletal system. It has an affordable cost, fast acting. Reviews are mostly positive. However, they should not be abused. Firstly, the patient can get used to diclofenac, and secondly, the substance is toxic in itself (despite the fact that it is contained in a small amount). In practice, it is desirable to use it as an emergency tool designed to combat pain in the joints and back.