Perhaps anyone who has ever experienced pain and cramping is familiar with the No-Shpa drug. Its analogue, Drotaverin, which completely repeats this medicine in composition and action, is not known to everyone. Most people rely more on advertising and the familiar name, which for many years of use has already become a symbol of getting rid of pain. Many take "No-shpa" for any spasm, prescribing this medicine for themselves without consulting a doctor. But, despite the good reputation of the brand and the high effectiveness of the drug, it still has many contraindications and side effects. And in many cases when “No-shpa” is required, its analogue is preferable. To be sure that taking these pills will help with pain and will not lead to new problems, you need to know the features of their action, indications and contraindications for use.
The history of the popularity of the drug
As early as the mid-19th century, an effective pain reliever was isolated from opium. He was called papaverine. At the beginning of the 20th century, mass production of this drug was established. This medicine was inexpensive and was used to relieve pain and cramping in many diseases. In the 60s, the drug was improved. On its basis, two similar drugs began to be produced. A Hungarian pharmaceutical company produced the No-Shpa drug. Its analogue is produced in Russia and is called "Drotaverina hydrochloride." No-shpa itself is more popular mainly due to the reputation of the Hinoin pharmaceutical company. But in recent years, drugs have become more expensive, and therefore, No-Shpa is not available to everyone now. The Russian analogue “Drotaverina hydrochloride” costs 5 times cheaper, and is not inferior in effectiveness to it. Many patients who tried to replace No-Shpa with Drotaverin noted that they did not feel any difference.
Drug action
The main active ingredient of No-shpa is drotaverine. It belongs to myotropic antispasmodics and is popular because of its ability to quickly relieve spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs. This is reflected even in the name of the drug, which is translated from Latin as “no spasm”.
Therefore, all drugs based on drotaverine are very effective against pain in various diseases. In addition to the antispasmodic effect, they are able to dilate blood vessels and lower muscle tone in all internal organs, for example, in the intestine, thereby reducing its peristalsis. But taking the drug does not affect the activity of the nervous system, so in many cases it is preferable to other painkillers. The effect of drotaverine and drugs based on it occurs quite quickly, with intravenous administration - after 3-5 minutes. The analgesic effect of the drug persists for a long time, so 1-2 tablets are enough to stop the attack.
In what cases is the drug used
No-Shpa is very effective for pains of various origins, especially those caused by spasms of blood vessels or muscles. Doctors prescribe it for many diseases. And some people who often experience pain take the drug even without consulting a doctor, which is undesirable, because you need to know in which cases the “No-shp” method is indicated. She is prescribed:
- with spastic colitis, constipation, gastritis, gastroduodenitis and ulcers;
- with painful menstruation;
- to prevent premature birth, reduce uterine tone and remove postpartum contractions;
- with renal colic, cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia;
- with urolithiasis and cholelithiasis;
- with headaches caused by vasospasm;
- with deep cuts, muscle strain and injuries.
Release forms "No-shp"
1. This drug is best known in the form of small round yellowish tablets.
On each must be inscribed the inscription "spa". The No-Shpy branded packaging is very convenient: a small bottle that contains 100 tablets is equipped with a special dispensing mechanism. With severe pain it is very convenient. If you click on the lid, one tablet falls into the palm of your hand. Each tablet contains 40 mg of drotaverine - this is the average single dose for an adult. There is also the No-Shpa Forte, which is intended for the treatment of severe pain, because each tablet contains 80 mg of drotaverine. In addition, lactose, talc and
magnesium stearate are included in all tablets
.2. In medical institutions or to stop severe colic and cramping, use a solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration. One ampoule also contains a single dose of drotaverine - 40 milligrams. This form of the drug is dispensed from pharmacies only by prescription, and is used widely mainly in medical institutions.
Side effects
The drug can cause the following undesirable effects:
- cardiopalmus;
- decrease in pressure;
- fever and excessive sweating;
- dizziness, insomnia;
- nausea, constipation;
- allergic reactions.
More dangerous is the intravenous administration of No-shpa. It can cause arrhythmia, a drop in pressure and even respiratory depression. Therefore, more often for oral administration, “No-shpa” (tablets) is prescribed.
Instructions for use
No-shp tablets should be drunk 2-3 times a day. Duration of admission depends on the recommendation of the doctor. If you had to take the drug without the appointment of a specialist, then you should not drink it for more than two days. And it's not even that it can cause side effects. No-spa relieves pain very effectively, which can be a symptom of a serious illness.
This may interfere with the correct diagnosis on time. The dosage of the drug depends on the age of the patient, his state of health and the nature of the pain. Usually, 1-2 tablets of No-shpa are prescribed per dose. Moreover, the daily dose should not exceed 240 mg of the active substance, and this is 6 tablets. With severe spasms, “No-shpa” is prescribed intramuscularly. Injections are given in the same dosage - up to 240 mg per day, and no more than 80 mg can be administered intravenously. Children from 6 to 12 years old are recommended to give no more than 2 tablets per day, and after 12 years - 4 tablets.
Who should not take the drug
"No-shpu" is not recommended for use by such patients:
- patients with severe renal and hepatic insufficiency;
- women during lactation;
- children under 6 years old;
- To patients with individual intolerance to drotaverine;
- with severe heart failure;
- with bronchial asthma;
- people with low blood pressure;
- those who have a history of lactose intolerance.
"No-spa" during pregnancy
Now quite often, many doctors use drotaverine- based drugs during pregnancy. Mostly during obstetric care to accelerate the opening of the cervix. But at any stage of pregnancy, you can take the drug "No-spa" (tablets). The instruction recommends doing this only under the supervision of a doctor, although it is believed that the drug does not bring any negative consequences for the development of the child.
Therefore, for any pain in the lower abdomen, pregnant women are recommended to take the No-Shpy pill. After all, most painkillers at this time are contraindicated, and pains during this period are most often caused by muscle spasms, and it is from this that the drug helps. Relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus can prevent a miscarriage or simply alleviate the condition of the expectant mother. Most often, it is the No-Shpa that is appointed. The analogue "Drotaverin" is not so strong and does not have such a long-lasting effect. In addition, it is believed that it is worse tolerated. But you should still be careful with taking No-shpa, as the drug can cause premature cervical dilatation.
What can replace "No-shpu"
This medicine is not accessible to everyone, although it is not very expensive - packing a pill costs about 200 rubles. But many people use cheaper drugs. Moreover, “No-shpa” helps not everyone and not with any pain. Cheap analogs are sometimes more effective. But in order to choose the right pain medication, you need to know the features of its action, as well as the origin and nature of the pain. All drugs based on drotaverine only help with spasms of blood vessels or muscles. They will be useless for headaches of vascular origin and for migraines. In these cases, special drugs are prescribed. It can be "Paracetamol" or "Analgin." For pain caused by inflammation, it is best to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen, Pentalgin and others. “Ketoprofen” relieves toothache better. But the question of how to replace No-Shpu can only be solved with a doctor. If the specialist prescribed this drug, then it means that the pain is caused by spasms of the vessels or smooth muscles. In this case, “No-shpa” will be the best help. An analogue can be taken instead, but these drugs are not always effective, and their effect may not be as long. This may be caused by additional substances in the composition, dishonesty of manufacturers or a dosage of drotaverine.
"No-shpa" - analogues
The price of various drugs ranges from 50 to 200 rubles, depending on the popularity of the manufacturer, the number of tablets in the package and the form of release of the drug. The most expensive funds from this group are No-shpa Forte and actually No-shpa. Cheap analogues are mainly Russian-made drugs based on drotaverin or papaverine. These include:
- “Drotaverine hydrochloride”;
- “Drotaverin Forte”;
- "Papaverine";
- "Spazmol";
- "Spazmonet";
“Nosh Bra.”
In addition, the Indian drug “Spazoverin” and a more powerful analgesic, “No-hairpin”, are also available. The last drug, in addition to drotaverine, contains codeine and paracetamol and is sold only by prescription.
What you need to know when taking painkillers
1. All such drugs, such as No-Shpa, Analgin and others, do not treat diseases, but only mask the symptoms. This is especially true for drotaverine-based drugs. They relieve cramping and quickly relieve severe pain. But it may be evidence of the development of a tumor or the onset of a serious disease. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink No-Shpu for more than two days without consulting a doctor.
2. Before taking any drugs based on drotaverin, you need to eat something. This substance is absorbed worse on an empty stomach, and in this case there is a greater possibility of side effects.
3. If after taking “No-shpa” the pain did not decrease after 20-30 minutes or nausea, weakness and dizziness appeared, you should refuse to take the drug.
4. Some drugs, such as Phenobarbital and other antispasmodics, can enhance the effect of No-shpa, but the joint use of different drugs is possible only as directed by a doctor.