The medication is a highly specialized drug that is developed for the treatment of joint damage and other degenerative defects in the bones and spinal column.
In the article, we will consider reviews for Drastop injections, as well as detailed instructions for use.
Treatment with a medication is possible only after a full examination and determination of an accurate diagnosis. It is advisable to take the drug in a course during which there is an increase in the influence of active components.
During the use of the drug "Drastop" in injections, you must adhere to medical recommendations, do not reduce or increase the dose yourself. If side effects occur, you should immediately contact a rheumatologist to adjust the treatment.
What is the composition of Drastop injections?
Form of release and composition of the drug
The drug is made in the form of a solution for intramuscular injection with a dosage of 100 mg / ml. It is transparent, yellowish in color, in a colorless transparent glass ampoule with a white break ring of 2 ml, in a blister pack of five ampoules, one or two packs in a pack along with instructions for use. In one milliliter of the solution there is an active substance of sodium chondroitin sulfate - 100 mg. As auxiliary substances are: 12 mg of benzyl alcohol, 1% solution of sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid, up to 1 ml of injection water.
Pharmacological action of a drug
As indicated by the instructions for use, "Drastop" has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and chondrostimulating effect. Chondroitin sulfate is involved in the construction of the main component of bone and cartilage.
The medicine has chondroprotective signs, enhances metabolic processes in the fibrous and hyaline cartilage, as well as subchondrial bone. The tool inhibits enzymes that cause destruction (degradation) of the cartilage of the joint, stimulates the production of proteoglycans by chondrocytes. It helps to reduce the release of inflammatory mediators and pain factors into the synovial fluid, inhibits the secretion of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. There is a slowdown in bone resorption and a decrease in calcium loss, and the rate of bone tissue regeneration increases.
Chondroitin sulfate slows down the development of osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis, regenerates the articular surfaces of the cartilage and articular bag, interferes with the collapse of connective tissue, and normalizes the production of joint fluid.
When using the drug, the mobility of the inflamed joints improves, the pain decreases, the therapeutic effect remains for a long time after the completion of the therapeutic course. In the treatment of articular degenerative changes, which are accompanied by secondary synovitis, an effect is observed after two to three weeks from the start of the course. The drug has a structural similarity with heparin, and can potentially interfere with the formation of fibrin blood clots in the subchondrial and synovial microvasculature.
What are the indications for using Drastop injections?
When is a medicine prescribed?
The drug is prescribed for the following degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the spine and joints:
- osteoarthritis of the joints of the peripheral type;
- intervertebral osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis.
The doctor should prescribe the medication. Self-medication is unacceptable.
Contraindications to the use of a medication
Contraindications for Drastop injections are as follows:
- children's age (safety and efficacy not determined);
- thrombophlebitis;
- bleeding, as well as a tendency to them;
- excessive sensitivity to the composition of the drug.
Instructions for use "Drastop"
The development of the course is carried out individually, determined by the symptoms. Instructions for use of the drug involves the introduction of one milliliter of solution into the muscle. Injections are done every other day. It is recommended to take a break after 25-30 injections, you can resume treatment after six months. The manufacturer says that re-treatment is only necessary for exacerbations. After the standard course, a positive lasting effect is usually observed.
The doctor in the treatment of osteochondrosis "Drastopom" can change the usual scheme, offering the patient more intensive therapy. For example, a short ten-day course can be prescribed during which a person receives not one, but two injections every day. An increased dosage of the active component makes it possible to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but such treatment is suitable only for physically strong patients.
Is an overdose of this drug dangerous?
Against the background of a large dose of the drug, the temperature may rise, nausea and weakness will appear. Unpleasant symptoms after the end of the course will pass, to relieve the patient's condition, the simultaneous use of antipyretic drugs is prescribed.
Interaction with other medications
If you use drugs that affect blood flow, you need to constantly monitor the platelet count to prevent thrombosis or liquefaction.
It is not recommended to use Drastop analogues at the same time, regardless of the form of the drug, which increases the likelihood of side effects and overdose several times.
With simultaneous use with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal agents, a strong increase in the effect of the drug does not appear.
Are there side effects from Drastop injections?
Adverse reactions of the body to the use of this medication
Any drug can provoke a negative reaction. The medication described by us is no exception.
According to reviews of Drastop injections, the following are among the main side effects of the drug:
- severe swelling of the injection site and redness;
- temperature rise;
- urticaria and severe itching of the skin;
- dyspepsia;
- angioedema shock;
- pain at the injection site;
- extensive pain syndrome throughout the spine;
- heavy bleeding, most often with a tendency to such a condition.
It should be noted that in some cases, due to the influence of the active component in patients, symptoms of anaphylactic shock were noted. Such reactions are very rare, they stop in a hospital setting.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use "Drastop."
Overdose
Overdose cases are almost impossible, even if treatment is started immediately with a maximum volume of two milliliters. When a similar reaction occurs, the patient has the side symptoms described above.
Reviews of "Drastop" in the injections will consider below. In the meantime, let's talk about analogues.
Analogs
The drug has a number of analogues that are available in various forms. It is forbidden to replace the drug on its own, as this can cause side effects, a poor treatment result or a complete lack of its effectiveness.
It is safer than Drastop because it does not require oral administration. The drug in the form of an ointment or gel needs to be applied 2-3 times a day to inflamed areas. Rub the active substance with massage movements for three minutes to achieve a greater effect. The course can last up to several months.
It is produced in the form of a solution for intramuscular injection and capsules. When using capsules, you need to use twice a day, 0.75 grams of the active substance for the first time. After three weeks of treatment, you need to reduce the dosage to 500 mg in the morning and evening. Injections are taken in the same way as Drastop. To achieve the result, you need from 25 to 30 injections of the drug.
The drug is more affordable at its price. It is also available in the form of injections for intramuscular administration. The drug is prescribed every other day in an amount of 100 mg. With good tolerability, it is prescribed in a dosage of 200 mg every day. The duration of the course is at least twenty-five procedures. Before introducing the active substance, you need to dilute the solution with injection water. Repeated courses are done only after six months.
This is a cheap analogue of Drastop injections, and it is tolerated by patients relatively well, causing side effects with the same frequency as Drastol. The drug is made in the form of a solution and capsules. The dosage of the capsules is 750 mg in the morning and evening, after three weeks - twice a day, 500 mg. The dosage of the solution is equal to one milliliter after the day of administration the first four times, then two milliliters. The treatment course is 30 injections.
If necessary, you can replace Drastop with drugs such as Chondrolon, Artogistan, Mucosat, and Chondroxide Forte.
Reviews about Drastop injections
Many medical forums are full of reports that the drug "Drastop" with a high speed eliminates a pain attack, restores joint mobility. But it should be noted that over time, such an effective result only weakens, because the body becomes addictive. In order to avoid this, it is advisable to alternate preparations of this pharmacological group. Doctors generally note the effectiveness of Drastop, strongly recommending ampoules for various joint degenerative changes.
The opinions of patients were divided into several groups. So, some of them say that "Drastop" should always be in the family medicine cabinet and used for the first symptoms of progressive osteochondrosis. Unpleasant sensations will decrease after 15 minutes, after 30 you can forget about them for a long time. Positive reviews of this kind are enough, so when treating this problem, you should not ignore this medication.
Patients from the second group consider the drug useless. Even if it is administered intramuscularly, the pain does not go away. In this way, it is impossible to get rid of osteochondrosis.
Patients from the third group talk about side effects in the form of severe itching, skin rash. People had to abandon the prescribed treatment, although some still experienced temporary relief.
To determine the real effectiveness of the drug, you need to coordinate everything with your doctor. If side effects appear, you need to stop injecting, and then consult a doctor.