One of the world's most popular medications for back pain is Diclofenac. This is an analgesic anti-inflammatory class of non-steroidal drugs. It is prescribed for the relief of pain and inflammation in a variety of injuries of muscles, joints and other structures of the musculoskeletal system.
Description
This drug was registered in 1974, and since then, more than a billion people have received therapy with it since then.
The main advantages of using Diclofenac for pain in the back, joints, lower back are its high analgesic functionality, good anti-inflammatory effect and a short half-life. Using the medication not only has an analgesic effect, but also reduces the manifestations of morning stiffness, increases the range of motion of the joints.
If swelling is observed after the injury, it quickly decreases due to the effects of this medication. The medicine is used for back diseases of the most diverse nature of origin (with bruises, dislocations, concussions, sprains, etc.). The pharmaceutical preparation is also indispensable for hernias of the spine: it blocks all types of cyclooxygenase.
How to take "Diclofenac" for back pain will be described below.
Release Forms
This drug is produced in several dosage forms - in the form of tablets, suppositories for rectal use, solutions for injection, syrups and ointments.
In what form is best used "Diclofenac" for pain in the back, lower back or joints, the doctor should determine. Most often, in such situations, intramuscular injections are made, which are prescribed for the first few days of the development of the disease, and then other dosage forms are used.
In some cases, the specialist decides that the injection should be carried out for 5 days. Suppositories of this drug are most often prescribed in childhood.
First, find out how to stab Diclofenac for back pain.
The method of injection of the drug
Injections of this drug are done in the gluteus muscle, in extreme cases, in the thigh muscles (in this case, only large arrays of muscle tissue are suitable).
"Diclofenac" in the form of a solution for injection is available in a volume of 2.5 ml, so the syringe through which the medication will be administered should be 5 ml. The needle should be long so that the product does not penetrate the adipose tissue, namely the muscle. It is advisable to perform injections alternately in different buttocks.
The dosage of Diclofenac for back pain is prescribed by a doctor, but most often 1 injection per day is given.
Side symptoms
Taking this medication may be accompanied by negative effects such as:
- dizziness;
- sleep disturbance, sometimes insomnia;
- cramps
- headaches;
- impaired kidney function;
- development of nosebleeds;
- skin rashes;
- violation of digestive activity.
Contraindications
Diclofenac injections for back pain are contraindicated in the presence of the following pathological or physiological conditions:
- age younger than 6 years;
- pregnancy;
- blood diseases (medication increases the coagulation period, reducing the number of platelets);
- hemorrhoids;
- peptic ulcer (in the acute stage);
- proctitis.
In addition, there are some relative contraindications, which include:
- less than 16 years old and over 70;
- increase in blood pressure;
- cardiovascular pathologies, allergies, bronchial asthma;
- severe diseases of the kidneys, stomach, liver, intestines.
Sometimes Diclofenac does not help with back pain. It is not recommended to use this medication in the period after surgery. Nevertheless, in all the above cases, when prescribing a pharmacological preparation, a specialist should take into account possible risks to the patient’s health when using it.
As shown by numerous scientific studies, "Diclofenac" with prolonged use of more than 35% increases the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies, such as heart attacks.
However, this is not a reason to refuse to use it: in most situations, the effect of its use significantly exceeds the risk of developing side symptoms.
How many diclofenac is used for back pain?
The main thing to remember is that this drug is best taken in short courses, and if necessary, continue therapy between them, you need to take breaks. For example, with a hernia of the spine, the drug is prescribed for a period of not more than 14 days.
Injection of this medicine
The solution of Diclofenac for injection is a liquid with a slight smell of benzyl alcohol, which has a powerful antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Injection treatment of this medicine helps to cope with complications faster. The pain syndrome is removed after a few minutes after administration.
However, injections have a greater number of side effects, unlike those that can provoke other dosage forms.
The use of the medication in the treatment of lumbar radiculitis
Lumbar sciatica is a condition in which inflammation of the spinal roots and nearby tissues occurs. The inflammatory process and infringement provoke their irritation, increased impulse in sensitive fibers or slowing down the conduct of nerve impulses. As a result of all this, pain occurs at the site of inflammation, radiating it to the zone of innervation of the sensitive receptors of this root.
There are some reasons for this pathology:
- osteochondrosis;
- a history of spinal injury;
- myositis;
- tumor processes in the abdominal cavity;
- neoplasms in the spinal cord or its roots.
Diclofenac medical device is widely used to relieve the symptoms of radiculitis. In this case, this drug is prescribed for a period of not more than 14 days, in the form of intramuscular injections. It quickly eliminates back pain with radiculitis, increases the range of motion, acts for a long time - about a day.
Negative reactions
Like any other pharmacological agent, Diclofenac sometimes causes a number of side symptoms. The duration of its use is limited so as not to provoke the development of the following complications:
- Erosion, ulcers, gastric bleeding, which are caused by the blocking of cyclooxygenase, which is responsible for protecting the stomach. Therefore, Diclofenac is not recommended for use on an empty stomach.
- Renal failure, nephropathy - a pathology of the kidneys that can occur with prolonged use of the drug or with an overdose of it.
- Toxic hepatitis. This medication is processed in the liver, while its cells can be damaged.
- Allergic phenomena that can occur on the introduction of even small doses of the drug, and manifest in the form of a rash and swelling.
Tablets
Diclofenac tablets are often used for back pain. They must be drunk after eating, since the main substance of the medication is the strongest irritant to the gastric mucosa. To exclude such a phenomenon, drugs to protect the stomach (Omeprazole, Almagel) are prescribed simultaneously with the tablets of this medicine.
The composition of the tablets includes the main element - diclofenac, as well as auxiliary - disubstituted calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, cellulose acetate, purified talc, indoresin, carmoisine varnish, diethyl phthalate, ponso 4R varnish, titanium dioxide, iron oxide.
Candles "Diclofenac" for back pain
Candles for medication have a torpedo-shaped cylindrical shape, a smooth surface and a light cream color. The main active element is diclofenac, its content in one suppository is 100 and 50 mg. In addition, it contains additional substances: medium-level triglycerides, solid fat, colloidal anhydrous silicon dioxide. Candles are packaged in blisters of 5 pieces, 2 blisters in a cardboard box.
According to reviews, Diclofenac suppositories are very effective for back pain.
This dosage form is used for pain of various etiologies in cases where it is necessary to quickly eliminate unpleasant sensations. Substances of the drug are rapidly absorbed in the lumen of the rectum and act for 15 minutes.
Analogs of the drug for back pain
With severe pain, especially if the back hurts, analogues of the Diclofenac medication can be used. The list of such drugs includes:
- "Ortofen" is a medication, the mechanism of action of the active element of which is due to inhibition of the biological production of mediators of pain and inflammation. Having an inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase, the drug helps to reduce the production of prostaglandins in the foci of inflammation and in the center of thermoregulation in the hypothalamus, reduces the intensity of the pathological process and has an antipyretic effect. By lowering the level of prostaglandins in the tissues, inhibiting the generation and conduct of pain impulses, the drug produces an analgesic effect. In equivalent concentrations, this pharmacological agent does not inhibit proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage tissues. Like other anti-inflammatory non-steroid medications, it is able to suppress platelet aggregation.
- "Naproxen" - a tool whose main component is a derivative of naphthylpropionic acid. The medicine exhibits antipyretic and analgesic properties, and also fights inflammation in the body. Due to its ability to inhibit an enzyme such as cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid is suppressed. This medication reduces platelet aggregation. As a result of its use, pain is reduced (pain in the joints at rest and during movement, morning stiffness). Anti-inflammatory effects are observed towards the end of the first therapeutic week.
- "Indomethacin" is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug that has an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic analgesic effect on the body. The main substance of this drug, when absorbed into the general bloodstream, inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandin, which is an activator of pain and inflammation. Under the influence of this drug, platelet adhesion is suppressed, the degree of pain, swelling of the joints is weakened.
Reviews about "Diclofenac" for back pain
To date, the pharmacological market of our country can offer a huge selection of medications that are used for back pain of the most diverse nature of origin. However, for several decades, Diclofenac has been one of the most popular anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. There are quite a lot of reviews about this tool and they are mostly positive.
Patients who used this medicine in various forms of its release observed a quick therapeutic effect. This is especially true for injectable solutions and rectal suppositories. Patients note that back pain, which was the result of various injuries, dislocations, sprains, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, etc., took place with systematic use already on the second or third day of treatment, and significantly worsened already on the first day.
Negative comments about this drug
Patients also note that the drug has some negative aspects, which manifests itself mainly in some side symptoms. Most often, among those there were disorders of the digestive system and abdominal pain, which were associated with the negative effect of this drug on the stomach. However, such reactions were slightly expressed, and after the course of "Diclofenac" for back pain stopped on their own.