The most unpleasant symptoms that people experience with osteochondrosis are pain. The cause of this discomfort is hidden in inflammation and its main manifestation - edema. That is why non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis play a significant role and are necessarily included in complex therapy. Both classic medicines and new generation products are used. We will study them in more detail.
The mechanism of action of NSAIDs
These drugs are especially in demand in the acute period of the pathology. After all, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis are capable of:
- eliminate the symptoms of inflammation,
- reduce swelling
- stop pain discomfort.
Their effect on the body is explained quite easily.
Any inflammatory process is provoked by the work of a certain enzyme - cyclooxygenase. This enzyme has several varieties. So, COX-2 leads to the formation of prostaglandins - biologically active substances. They form the typical clinic of the inflammatory process: they stimulate a rush of blood to the affected area, increase swelling, and provoke a pain syndrome.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis (Ibuprofen, Xefocam, Meloxicam) can block the functioning of this enzyme. As a result, inflammation is significantly reduced.
Basic rules for admission
Doctors advise to adhere to some recommendations for those patients who are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis:
- These drugs are considered relatively safe. However, it is completely not recommended to use them for a long time. Since they are capable of perniciously affecting the gastrointestinal mucosa, liver and some other systems and organs. For more than one week without the recommendation of a doctor, it is forbidden to use NSAIDs.
- If the patient is diagnosed with pathologies of the kidneys, liver, these agents should be used with extreme caution for the treatment of osteochondrosis. Since such drugs can delay the withdrawal of sodium and water from the body. As a result, the patient will increase pressure, or there will be a malfunction in the functioning of diseased organs.
- The medicine is washed down exclusively with water. Other drinks can change the properties of the drug. To reduce the detrimental effect on the stomach, you should drink a tablet with plenty of water. It is recommended to take the drug after eating or during it.
- You should not use several similar drugs at the same time. Efficiency from this will not increase, and the negative impact will increase.
- Stop drinking alcohol during NSAID therapy.
- Do not self-medicate. Be sure to check with your doctor all the medicines that you take.
- In most cases, the drug is taken 2-3 times a day. With severe pain, up to 4 doses are permissible, but no more.
Contraindications
Before using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis, be sure to ensure that they do not harm your health.
There are a number of pathologies in which the use of these drugs is prohibited:
- allergic reactions to the use of any analgesics (aspirin asthma) ;
- digestive system diseases - ulcers, gastritis, colitis;
- impaired blood coagulation;
- pregnancy;
- liver dysfunction, renal failure;
- lactation period.
Local preparations (gels, creams, ointments) are forbidden to use with:
- weeping dermatoses;
- eczema
- violations of the integrity of the skin;
- infections.
Effective drugs
Recently, the number of people who have turned to doctors for pain in the cervical region has increased significantly. Unfortunately, most of them are diagnosed with osteochondrosis. Such an unpleasant tendency is associated with various factors, among which mobility, the state of the environment, and malnutrition are not the least.
The question arises: "What are the most effective means for cervical osteochondrosis?" Most often, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- Diclofenac.
- Reopirin.
- Movalis.
- Ibuprofen.
Depending on the severity of the pain syndrome, various dosage forms can be prescribed: injections, tablets. In addition, ointments are in great demand. For minor pain syndromes, their use is more preferable. After all, local drugs do not provoke undesirable side effects that cause injections or tablets.
Consider the anti-inflammatory drugs used in more detail in osteochondrosis.
The drug "Diclofenac"
This is a fairly effective remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The drug is well tolerated by patients. Very rarely causes side effects. This substance is part of many drugs, including:
- Voltaren.
- "Naklofen."
- "Diclobene."
- Ortofen.
The original medicine is available in the form of tablets, injection, gel, rectal suppositories.
Side effects on the stomach, compared with other NSAIDs, are minimal. However, in case of prolonged use, patients may experience problems in the functioning of the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
The medicine "Ibuprofen"
This is another excellent remedy for cervical osteochondrosis. In addition, it allows you to quickly eliminate any manifestations of joint pain. It is used for discomfort caused by arthritis, radiculitis, arthrosis.
The medicine is in the form of a dragee. Each pill contains 200 ml of active substance. It is recommended to use 3-4 tablets per day.
Among the side effects can be observed: vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, erosive gastritis.
The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is weak. But the main advantage of such a medicine is its excellent tolerance and the rare occurrence of unwanted effects.
The drug "Ketoprofen"
This remedy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine effectively eliminates pain. However, it has a slight anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, this medicine is often used to eliminate symptoms in exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
The drug can be prescribed in the form of capsules, tablets, rectal suppositories, injections or cream for topical application.
Means "Naproxen"
Such a medicine is prescribed to patients quite often. It perfectly eliminates severe pain. And this, as you know, is the main symptom that accompanies osteochondrosis. The anti-inflammatory effect of this drug, in contrast, develops slowly. It manifests itself, as a rule, only a month after taking the medicine.
The medication is characterized by low gastrotoxicity. In addition, in patients taking the drug, violations of the kidneys and heart are extremely rare. Although allergic reactions may occur.
The drug has several dosage forms: suspension, tablets, gel, suppositories.
The medicine "Ketorolac"
An effective remedy for osteochondrosis has a pronounced analgesic effect on the body, but is quite short. In this regard, the medicine is prescribed to relieve severe pain discomfort.
In chronic pathologies, such a drug is not recommended for use.
The medicine is prescribed in the form of tablets or a solution for injection. With frequent use of this drug, the patient may experience problems with the stomach, nervous system, and kidneys.
The medicine "Movalis"
This is a new generation drug. This remedy for osteochondrosis is characterized by high selectivity. Due to this property, the drug practically does not cause undesirable complications from the digestive tract.
In addition, the medicine effectively eliminates the unpleasant symptoms provoked by osteochondrosis. The drug also helps with various forms of joint pain.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and rectal suppositories.
The drug "Xefocam"
Safe and modern medicine, which can be purchased in the form of tablets or ampoules containing dry matter. This drug provides an excellent analgesic effect.
It is widely in demand in osteochondrosis. The medicine is able to stop the pain syndrome with ischalgia and lumbago.
Side effects can sometimes be observed. But such manifestations are extremely rare.
This medicine has high analgesic properties. The strength of such an effect on the body is equal to the effect of the Morphine preparation on it. However, unlike the last drug, the Xefocam medication does not have an opiate-like effect on the central nervous system and does not provoke addiction.
During testing of the drug, it was noted that the effect of analgesia lasts about 12 hours.
Conclusion
Do not forget that the use of effective remedies for osteochondrosis should be exclusively prescribed by the doctor. Prolonged and thoughtless use of NSAIDs can cause significant harm to some systems and organs. In addition, these funds do not treat osteochondrosis. They allow you to stop pain and eliminate inflammation. Therefore, after them drugs of a different kind are always prescribed.