The drug "Teraflex" for joints is prescribed very often. What properties such a medication has, how much it costs, whether it has side effects and contraindications, we will tell in the materials of this article.
Form, description, composition and packaging of the drug
Joint medicine “Teraflex” is available in two different forms. Consider their composition in more detail.
- Hard gelatin capsules with white powder inside. On sale this form of the drug comes in plastic bottles of 60, 30 or 100 pieces. The active substances of the drug are glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate. The drug also includes such auxiliary substances as manganese sulfate, magnesium stearate and stearic acid.
- Ointment "Teraflex". The price of this form is slightly lower than the previous one. The drug, intended for external use, is sold in the form of a cream with the smell of camphor and menthol in white and yellow. It is produced in plastic tubes of 56 or 28 g. 1 g of ointment contains: peppermint oil, glucosamine, camphor and chondroitin. Also, the medication includes additional substances in the form of tree-like aloe, lanolin, purified water, macrogol, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol and dimethicone.
Pharmacological action of the drug
How does the Teraflex preparation work? For joints, this medication is very good, as it helps to restore cartilage.
The high efficiency of this tool is due to its composition. Chondroitin sulfate, as well as glucosamine hydrochloride contribute to the synthesis of connective tissue, preventing damage to the cartilage. The latter substance protects the damaged cartilage from its further destruction, which can occur when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids. This component has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect.
As for chondroitin sulfate, this substance is intended to build cartilage. It helps the synthesis of proteoglycans, collagen and hyaluronic acid, and also inhibits the properties of enzymes that destroy cartilage, and ensures the viscosity of the synovial fluid.
With a disease such as osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate significantly reduces all manifestations of the disease.
Camphor, which is part of the ointment, provides an irritating effect, and also improves blood circulation in the subcutaneous tissues and skin.
Peppermint oil can have a moderate antiseptic and distracting effect. It also reduces pain and inflammation.
The drug "Teraflex" does not apply to dietary supplements. It is a drug that undergoes a rigorous screening and also guarantees efficacy and safety.
Pharmacokinetic properties of the drug
Is Teraflex absorbed (for joints)? When taking the drug inside, the bioavailability of the active substance - glucosamine - is about 25%. Its maximum concentration persists for quite a long time in joints, kidneys, cartilage, liver, as well as bone and muscle tissues.
The half-life of the mentioned component is about three days. It is excreted mainly through the kidneys.
As for the bioavailability of chondroitin sulfate, it is about 12%. This substance is metabolized due to desulfurization reactions. The half-life of the component is 5 hours. It is excreted mainly by the kidneys.
Indications for use
What deviations are prescribed Teraflex medication, the price of which is indicated below? The agent under consideration is actively used to treat diseases of the joints and spine, which are degenerative-dystrophic in nature (for example, osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis).
Contraindications
The drug "Teraflex" for joints cannot be used in the presence of the following conditions:
- severe renal failure;
- during pregnancy;
- intolerance to the substances of the drug;
- during lactation;
- in childhood (under 15 years old);
- damage to the skin (only for ointment).
With diabetes and asthma, as well as in the case of a predisposition to bleeding, this medication is prescribed with extreme caution.
Instructions for use of the drug "Teraflex"
The price of this tool is quite high. But despite this, for the treatment of joints, many patients acquire this particular drug. They explain their choice with its high efficiency.
For children over 15 years of age, as well as adults, in the first 3 weeks of treatment, the medication is prescribed one capsule three times a day. After this, the drug is taken 2 times a day. Such treatment is continued from 3 to 6 months. Courses can be repeated periodically.
Capsules are allowed to be taken at any time, regardless of the meal. They must be washed down with plain water (in small quantities).
How should I apply Teraflex ointment, the price of which is indicated below? An external preparation in an amount of 2-3 cm is rubbed over the lesion until completely absorbed. Do it three times a day.
Side effects
When taking the medicine orally, patients may experience flatulence, pain in the stomach, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, as well as leg pain, heart palpitations, swelling of the lower extremities, and allergies.
As for the external use of the drug, such procedures can contribute to the appearance of local allergic reactions.
Drug interaction
We will tell you what analogues of Teraflex for joints cheaper than pharmaceutical companies provide. Now we should tell about the drug interaction of this medication.
Its simultaneous administration with tetracycline antibiotics increases their absorption. Also, the drug reduces the effectiveness of semisynthetic chloramphenicol and penicillins. In addition, chondroitin can enhance the effect of anticoagulants.
special instructions
Now you know what the Teraflex joint preparation is. Reviews of experts suggest that in case of adverse reactions from the digestive system, the dosage of the medication should be reduced by half, and if necessary, be completely canceled.
The considered joint medicine is very often prescribed in combination therapy with glucocorticosteroids and NSAIDs.
Analogues of the drug and its price
The price of the product in question ranges from 300 to 1200 rubles (depends on the form of release and the number of capsules in the package).
There are no structural analogues of Teraflex ointment. As for the oral form of the drug, it has quite a lot of similar drugs (for example, “Chondroxide”, “Mukosat”, “Structum”, “Artra”, “Chondrogard”, “Kondronova”, “Chondrogluxide”, “Don” and others )
Are there any cheaper Teraflex analogues for joints? You can always find an inexpensive, but no less effective replacement medicine. For example, the Russian analogue “Chondrogluxide” also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, but it costs much less (about 190 rubles).
There is a cheaper drug "Kondronova" (about 160 rubles). However, it includes less active components.
Drug Reviews
It is no secret to anyone that chondroitin and glucosamine play a significant role in the normal functioning of joints and cartilage.
Currently, numerous reviews of the mentioned drug are ambiguous. Some patients are delighted with the therapeutic effect of this medication, while others complain that they spent their money in vain.
Positive reviews about the Teraflex joint drug contain information that this medicine quickly helped them get rid of pain and crunches in the joints, as well as increase mobility. However, such patients claim that although this drug is very effective, it is very expensive.
As for the reviews of specialists, they are also ambiguous and depend on the doctor’s conviction of the benefits of chondroitin and glucosamine for joints.
In general, we can safely conclude that the capsules, as well as Teraflex ointment, have a noticeable therapeutic effect with their long-term use (about six months), in not very advanced stages of the disease, as well as in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs and other methods of therapy.