"Fastum gel" is a medication that represents the pharmacological category of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs for local use. It is used to reduce the severity of inflammatory reactions and pain in a variety of diseases of all departments of the musculoskeletal system.
Description of the composition and dosage form
This medication does not have color - the gel is almost transparent, has a specific aroma and non-greasy consistency. The main active element of the drug is ketoprofen, the content of which in 100 g of the medicinal gel is 2.5 g. In addition, some additional substances are added to the “Fastum gel” composition, which include:
- Diethanolamine.
- Neroli oil.
- Carbomer 940.
- Lavender oil.
- Distilled purified water.
- Ethanol.
The medication is produced in tubes of 100, 50 and 30 g. The cardboard box contains 1 tube of gel and an annotation on the use of the drug.
Pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics
The main active element of the drug (ketoprofen) belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal substances, which have a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect. Similar effects are realized by blocking the functionality of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, which catalyzes the reaction of converting arachidonic acid into inflammatory mediators, which are responsible for the occurrence of acute pain and other signs of a pathological reaction.
After applying Fastum Gel ointment to the skin surface, the active components are adsorbed in the tissues, where they have a therapeutic effect in the form of an anti-inflammatory effect. The medication practically does not cause systemic reactions.
Indications for the appointment of funds
The medicine "Fastum gel" is used mainly to reduce the severity of inflammatory reactions during the development of various pathological conditions of the musculoskeletal system, which include:
- Joint syndrome with an inflammatory reaction of various origin or degenerative processes such as rheumatism (autoimmune disease), osteoarthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteochondrosis, periarthritis, gout.
- Severe pain in the peripheral nerves, which develops as a result of their non-infectious (aseptic) inflammation - neuralgia.
- Pain syndrome in skeletal striated muscle (myalgia).
- Various uncomplicated injuries that may be accompanied by pain of moderate severity - bruise, subluxation, sprain of tendons and ligaments.
In addition, this medication is used to eliminate inflammatory reactions in the combination therapy of phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes).
Contraindications
The use of this medication is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- Individual intolerance to the auxiliary elements of the drug or ketoprofen.
- Pathologies of the digestive system and violation of their functions, which is accompanied by the formation of ulcers or erosion on their walls.
- Decreased liver and kidney function.
- Skin pathologies, which include dermatoses, weeping eczema, dermatitis, accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the skin, abrasions, wounds.
- Age to 12 years.
- The presence of a history of severe allergic reactions, which was accompanied by the development of bronchospasm (narrowing of the bronchi) when using any anti-inflammatory non-steroid medications.
- Third trimester of pregnancy, lactation.
With some caution, this medication is used to reduce the functionality of the liver.
Dosage and rules for using the medication
"Fastum gel" is used externally. It must be applied with a thin layer on the surface of the skin in the area of ​​the pathological inflammatory process and rubbed with light movements. This is usually done 1-2 times a day. The duration of the therapeutic course should not be more than two weeks.
Adverse reactions from the use of the drug
The Fastum Gel medicine is well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, against the background of its use, local reactions may occur in the form of rashes on the skin, itching, the development of photosensitivity and bullous dermatitis. Even less frequently, the occurrence of systemic reactions in the form of an allergy was observed.
Application features
Before using the medicine, you should carefully read the annotation to it and pay attention to some features of its proper use:
- It is not recommended to allow the drug to enter open wounds, skin lesions, eyes and mucous membranes.
- If the gel gets into the eyes or on the surface of the mucous membranes, they must be washed with water.
- After applying the medicinal gel, the hands must be thoroughly washed.
- It is not recommended to use occlusive dressings in the application area.
At present, there is no data on the effect of the drug on the speed of mental and motor reactions, as well as on the level of concentration of attention.
Use of medication during pregnancy
Pain in the back during pregnancy is a fairly common occurrence. Few people associate it with pathologies, for example, in the spine. Doctors, as a rule, are inclined to believe that symptoms are natural for a given period. However, pregnant women are very vulnerable. Being in an "interesting" position, they often experience pain in the lower back or in the joints of the legs.
The composition of this pharmaceutical agent includes ketoprofen, which quickly and effectively relieves pain and relieves the severity of inflammation. This helps a lot in early pregnancy, but the drug is absolutely contraindicated for use in recent weeks.
The use of a medicine in the third trimester can harm an unborn baby, since the main substance has the ability to penetrate deep into soft tissues.
"Fastum gel" during pregnancy can be used, but only on the recommendation of a doctor and under his supervision.
The price of this drug
The average cost of a pharmacological preparation depends on the amount of medication in the tube:
- 30 g costs from 240 to 270 rubles.
- 50 g - from 350 to 400 rubles.
- 100 g - from 550 to 610 rubles.
The difference in price depends on the region and the pharmacy chain.
Analogs of "Fastum gel"
The main drugs that can replace the drug are:
- Ketoprofen is a cheaper medicine that has similar efficacy. Indications for its use are inflammation of the joints (arthritis), pain in the spine, sprain of tendons and ligaments. The medication consists of natural substances, has a pleasant aroma, does not cause allergies, is available in the form of gels and tablets. This medicine is also prescribed for tendonitis, arthritis, tendosynovitis.
- People often ask which is better - “Fastum gel” or “Bystrumgel”. This analogue is a less expensive anti-inflammatory drug. The medication has a significant analgesic effect and has a pleasant lavender aroma, which also gives a mild sedative effect. The active substance of this medicine is ketoprofen. This tool is used for a variety of muscle pains, lumbago, pain in the spine, with osteoarthritis, gout, arthritis. "Bystrumgel" treats rheumatic conditions, bruises, damage to ligaments.
- “Fort-gel” is an anti-inflammatory medicine for local use, which belongs to the category of non-steroid medicines and is more popular than the “Fastum gel” medication. The main active ingredient is ketoprofen. This tool is prescribed for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and penetrates directly into the foci of the inflammatory process, without falling into the general bloodstream. "Fort-gel" is recommended for use in disorders of the spine, diseases of the peripheral nerves, blood vessels and joints.
- Voltaren is a cheap analogue of a medicine that also belongs to the class of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. Prescribe this medicine to relieve pain in the back, joints, cervical spine, as well as to relieve excessive muscle tension. These properties of the drug can be considered a good analgesic. Available in tablets, in gel form and in injectable solutions. The main active element of the drug is diclofenac. Cheap analogues of "Fastum Gel" can be purchased at any pharmacy.
- "Ketonal" is a medicine that has a derivative of propionic acid in its composition and refers to non-steroidal medicines. It is widely used in the symptomatic treatment of pathologies of the motor system and has antipyretic and analgesic properties. This drug is available in the form of capsules, gels, ointments, suspensions and solutions for injection. Ketonal is prescribed for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, osteoarthrosis, reactive arthritis, pseudoarthrosis.
Reviews about "Fastum Gel"
A drug has long existed in the domestic market of pharmacological preparations. To this day, it is very popular. This is due to the fact that it has a quick anti-inflammatory effect and practically does not cause negative reactions.
Patients who used this medication in the treatment of pathological reactions and inflammations note that the effect of the gel becomes noticeable immediately after application, and in more difficult situations - a maximum after a few hours. At the same time, the elimination of severe pain was observed in the patients, the muscles became relaxed, swelling and redness in the area of ​​the diseased joints disappeared. Patients also say that this medication is very well tolerated and does not cause skin reactions.
As for reviews about the analogues of Fastum Gel, they are also mostly positive. People especially like Voltaren. It is inexpensive, but in no way inferior in effectiveness to other means.
Experts recommend Fastum Gel to everyone who suffers from muscle pain, but they note that before using the drug, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.