For those who suffer from back pain, the patch is an easy-to-use, affordable, effective and safe dosage form. He is not able to cure the disease or eliminate the cause of the discomfort, because. this is just an important link in the treatment complex. The action of the patch is aimed at eliminating or alleviating the painful symptoms of the disease, improving the quality of life at home, without resorting to the help of a medical professional, taking pills that are harmful to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract or painful. injections that have many side effects and contraindications. Without negatively affecting other systems and organs, the back pain patch delivers medicinal substances to the right place, provides sufficient concentration to develop a therapeutic effect and has a point effect directly on the source of pain.
Properties and types of mortar
The patch is a relatively new form of medicine that refers to the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its special feature is a unique structure that has a number of advantages:
- ease of use, ease of wearing - invisibility for others, preservation of freedom of movement, comfort of treatment (depending on the type of product and the expected effect, the patch can be on the skin from 1 hour to 2-3 days);
- active elements quickly penetrate into the superficial blood vessels through the upper layers of the skin, begin to act intentionally and faster than in the forms for oral administration;
- when applied to the skin, a systemic effect is achieved, but the substances are absorbed into the inferior or superior vena cava, bypassing the liver and digestive tract and not undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (primary metabolism of liver and stomach), in which drugs are broken down andusually lose pharmacological activity;
- the ability to slowly release active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, which allows a longer period of exposure. This occurs due to the continuous supply of the drug to the body at a rate that creates a constant and close to the minimum therapeutic level of drug concentration in the bloodstream;
- absence of withdrawal syndrome with a sharp end of application;
- possibility of combination with other drugs, physiotherapy procedures and treatment methods;
- control of the release and prolonged action of the patch to relieve back pain allows to reduce the frequency of administration of prescribed drugs. This, in turn, minimizes systemic and local side effects characteristic of long-term repeated administration, the presence and magnitude of the cumulative effect, and avoids possible weakening of the pharmacological effect.
Due to its advantages, transdermal therapy quickly gained popularity. Dozens of medical adhesive tapes with various active substances have been officially registered in the world. All existing patches for the treatment of back pain, based on the composition and principles of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, many of them act on several mechanisms and produce a complex effect, when the influence of one active component is complemented by the work of another. Plasters from domestic and foreign manufacturers were presented on the pharmaceutical market.
In pharmacies you can find products of the following brands specializing in the production of metered, fully finished drugs intended for external use in the form of patches:
- irritating effect;
- with heat-reflecting coating, dry heat;
- with nonsteroidal or other anti-inflammatory agents;
- with the addition of medicinal herbs and oils;
- on the basis of substances of chondroprotective action;
- painkillers with local anesthetics;
- nanotechnology.
An overview of the most popular back patches
The development and implementation of transdermal therapeutic systems has changed the idea of patches as simple stickers to protect against damage. The presence of a drug reservoir has made the patch an important element in the symptomatic treatment of lower back pain and an alternative to parenteral and oral administration. There are many reasons that can cause back pain and heaviness. This can be due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infections, back injuries, stress, changes in age.
In order not to make the situation worse, the pain cannot be ignored, it rarely goes away on its own. Treatment should be timely and competent - an integrated approach is needed. Depending on the type and severity of pain, possible causes of their occurrence, physiological characteristics of the body, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug.
Only a specialist, after a survey and a detailed examination, can determine which medical label is better, because. they differ in the principle of operation and tasks. Brief description and characteristics of the most commonly prescribed back pain patches:
- Pepper - the most popular, well-proven. Cheap and efficient. Liquid patches-gels are transparent, hypoallergenic, securely fixed. The rush of heat when applying the gel film is felt after 2 minutes. Capsaicin-based labels (hot pepper extract) improve blood flow, metabolic processes in the affected area, reduce muscle tension, have a local irritant effect, warm, antispasmodic and dilute. They alleviate the pain due to the disturbing effect, while the pain replaces the feeling of light tingling and tingling. Aggressive, can irritate the skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgic syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, spinal muscle myalgia.
- Category of thermal plaster containing a set of substances (Turfan sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powder, etc. ), which can be heated to 40-58 degrees in just 20 minutes in contact with air and maintain an optimal temperature of 7-12hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. Disposable labels anesthetize, provide even heating, increased blood circulation, relax constantly tense deep muscle fibers that stretch along the spine. The warming patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the lumbar or other back muscle, chronic osteoarthritis, sciatica.
- Plaster masses with the inclusion of diclofenac are representatives of the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They act quickly without skin irritation. They are characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect is long lasting. Eliminate pain associated with the inflammatory process of the island. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure causes the likelihood of unwanted side effects (risk increases with prolonged patch treatment). They usually bring relief in acute periods of the disease: inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, lumbosacral pain. Also shown for the back and joints as a means of quick recovery from overexertion, injuries, sprains.
- Highly targeted adhesive tape containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and neurotropic vitamin B1. The complex of active ingredients involved in the synthesis of connective tissue increases the production of cartilage matrix, protects cartilage from harmful factors, helps to restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. The drug is of natural origin, it is expensive, it supplies nutrients and anti-inflammatory substances. Its action is aimed at eliminating the causes of pain syndrome. This type of patch is recommended for deforming, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, which is a combination of 2 anesthetics. Strong painkillers, provide dermal anesthesia, the effect lasts for another 120 minutes after removing the treatment tape from the skin. It is used for neuropathic back pain, before injections or superficial surgeries.
- Novelties produced by special technologies. They include bioactive substances of the smallest size applied to a polymer substrate, which can easily penetrate the layers of the epidermis, reach the sore spot, produce radiation in the infrared region of the spectrum and create a constant magnetic field. The result of the combined action of nanoparticles is an increase in local blood flow, improved lymphatic drainage, pain relief, inflammatory reactions, removal of edema, muscle relaxation and restoration of function. Patches are indicated for violation of sensitivity, pain in the cervical, lumbar region on the background of the pinched nerve, sciatica, spondylarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine.
- Herbal-based stickers are also called Chinese patches. They are not officially a medicine, they are registered as products that fall into the category of sanitary and hygienic products and cosmetics. Manufacturers emphasize the effectiveness and safety of herbal patches, which is due to the huge amount of useful natural substances that form the basis of the medical board. There are many variations of adhesive tapes and reviews about them are mostly positive. Disadvantages include frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes. The range of application is wide, it includes osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, sciatica.
How to use
All back pain patches are for external use only. They are not reusable, they must be disposed of after removal from the skin. After removing the protective tape, the product is applied to a well-cleaned dry skin surface in the area of disturbance and left to act as much as specified by the manufacturer.
The instructions state that:
- Pepper patch can be on the skin, providing a therapeutic effect, for 2 days. May irritate skin and cause severe stinging. Re-application is possible only after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area in a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for it to dry completely. The formed film is removed in one day.
- Thermal patches are rarely applied directly to the naked body, because the perceived temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends that you fix them on fairly thick underwear. After opening the packing bag and removing the patch, remove the protective foil from it. It must be used immediately and in its entirety - it is forbidden to cut! The maximum duration of use is 10-12 hours a day.
- NSAID patches should only be kept for 24 hours. The maximum allowed daily dose is 30 mg. The duration of treatment should not exceed 21 days.
- Anesthetic patches are applied to the skin in the area of greatest pain. They can be cut, glued at the same time 3 pieces on different parts of the body. Application time - 1-5 hours, then the effect weakens. The interval between repeated applications is at least 12 hours. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of such treatment - if after 2-4 weeks of regular use a positive result is not noticed, then the course of treatment should be completed.
- Chondroprotective patches require long-term use. Recommended regimen: the first week - daily 24-hour use (when re-applying the patch, it is desirable to move slightly so as not to unnecessarily interfere with skin respiration), the second week and then - every other day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that visible changes will appear after 3 months of treatment, and to consolidate the achieved effect, it is necessary to extend the therapy for at least another 3 months.
- Nanotechnology patches are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, exacerbation phase of chronic disease - 9-15 days. After a week break, you can repeat the treatment. The duration of continuous retention of adhesive tape on the skin is limited to 12 hours, after which the skin must rest for at least 6 hours. The therapeutic effect is often accompanied by a mild burning sensation and a rush of heat.
Contraindications to use
If we compare different types of patches, using the safety of treatment as a criterion, then quality modern developments are most desirable. The list of contraindications for their use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large moles at the sites of plate fixation, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to lack of sufficient clinical data confirming safety for fetal development). The next safest patch is Nano Patch GS, which is prohibited for the treatment of pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescents aged 0-18 and people with individual intolerance to components. Thermal patches should also not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus or who have undergone heart surgery.
The list is closed with NSAID patches, which have the following contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal substances, auxiliary elements of the drug;
- aspirin triad;
- kidney, liver dysfunction;
- chronic course of cardiac dysfunction;
- erosions, gastrointestinal ulcers;
- exacerbation of porphyrin disease;
- elderly or children - 0-15 years;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or lactation.
Analogues
The above is an exhaustive list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, they have no analogues in this dosage form. Other dermal drugs, ointments and gels, sprays, including the same active substance, have the closest effect.
Back pain is the reason to consult a doctor immediately, self-medication in any way can cause the development of serious pathology.