For back pain sufferers, 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 discomfort, because. this is just one important link in the treatment complex. The effect 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 lining of the gastrointestinal tract or painful injections that have many side effects and contraindications. indications. Without adversely affecting other systems and organs, the back pain patch delivers medicinal substances in the right place, provides sufficient concentration for the development of a therapeutic effect and a pinpoint effect directly at the source of pain.
Gypsum properties and types
The patch is a relatively new form of medication related to the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its distinctive feature is a unique structure that has several advantages:
- ease of use, ease of use - invisibility to others, preservation of freedom of movement, comfort of treatment (depending on the type of product and the expected effect, the patch can stay on the skin from 1 hour to 2-3 days);
- active elements quickly penetrate the superficial blood vessels through the upper layers of the skin, begin to act purposefully and more quickly than in oral administration forms;
- when applied to the skin, it provides a systemic effect, but the substances are absorbed by the inferior or superior vena cava system, bypassing the liver and digestive tract and not undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (primary liver and gastric metabolism), in which the substances medicinal products are degraded and generally lose their pharmacological activity;
- the ability to slowly release active ingredients onto the surface of the dermis, which provides a longer exposure period. This is due to the continuous delivery of the drug to the body at a rate that creates a constant and near-minimum therapeutic concentration level of the drug in the bloodstream;
- the absence of a withdrawal syndrome with a sharp point for the application;
- the ability to combine with other medications, physical therapy procedures and treatment methods;
- Control of release and prolonged action of the back pain relief patch allows for a reduction in the frequency of administration of prescribed medication. This, in turn, minimizes the systemic and local side effects characteristic of long-term repeated use, the presence and magnitude of the cumulative effect, and prevents possible weakening of the pharmacological effect.
Due to its benefits, transdermal therapy quickly gained popularity. Officially, several dozen medical adhesive tapes with various active substances are registered in the world. All existing patches for the treatment of back pain, based on the composition and principle of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, because many of them act by different mechanisms and produce a complex effect, when the influence of one active component is complemented by the work of another. In the pharmaceutical market, patches from national and foreign manufacturers are presented.
In pharmacies, you can find products from the following brands that specialize in the production of fully ready-to-use, dosed medicines intended for external use in the form of an adhesive:
- irritating action;
- with heat-reflecting coating, dry heat;
- with nonsteroidal or other anti-inflammatory agents;
- with the addition of medicinal herbs and oils;
- based on substances with chondroprotective action;
- analgesics with local anesthetics;
- nanotechnology.
Overview of the most popular back patches
The development and implementation of transdermal therapeutic systems changed the idea of the patch as a simple patch to protect against damage. The presence of a drug reservoir made the patch an important element in the symptomatic treatment of low back pain and an alternative for parenteral and oral administration. There are many reasons that can cause back pain and heaviness. This could be due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of Organs internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infection, back injury, stress, age-related changes.
In order not to make the situation worse, the pain cannot be ignored, it rarely goes away on its own. Treatment must be timely and competent - an integrated approach is needed. Depending on the type and severity of pain, the probable causes of its occurrence, the physiological characteristics of the body, the doctor may prescribe one or another medication.
Only a specialist, after a thorough research and examination, is able to determine which medical patch is best, because. they differ in principle of action and tasks. Brief description and features of the most commonly prescribed pain relief patches for back treatment:
- Pepper - the most popular and proven. Cheap and efficient. Liquid Gel Adhesives are clear, hypoallergenic and securely attached. A wave of heat when applying the gel film is felt after 2 minutes. Patches based on capsaicin (an extract made from hot capsicum) improve blood flow, metabolic processes in the affected area, reduce muscle tension, have a locally irritating, warming, antispasmodic and resolving effect. They relieve pain due to a distracting effect, while the pain is replaced by a slight burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, may irritate the skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgia syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, myalgia of the spinal muscles.
- A category of thermal plasters containing a set of substances (turfan sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powder and the like), capable of heating up to 40-58 degrees in just 20 minutes in contact with air and maintaining the temperature ideal for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. Single-use patches anesthetize, provide uniform heating, increase blood circulation, relax the constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run through the spine. Warming patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of lumbar or other back muscles, chronic osteoarthritis, sciatica.
- Patch masses with the inclusion of diclofenac are representatives of the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They act quickly without irritating the skin. They are characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect is lasting. Eliminate the pain associated with the inflammatory swelling process. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure causes the likelihood of unwanted side reactions (risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). They usually bring relief in acute periods of the disease: with inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, lumboischialgia. Also shown for the back and joints as a means of providing quick recovery from overexertion, injuries, sprains.
- A highly targeted adhesive tape containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and neurotropic vitamin B1. The complex of active ingredients involved in connective tissue synthesis increases the production of cartilage matrix, protects cartilage from harmful factors, helps restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. The drug is of natural origin, expensive, provides nutrients and anti-inflammatory substances. Its action is aimed at eliminating the cause of the pain syndrome. This type of patch is recommended for deforming, dystrophic, degenerative changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, which is a combination of 2 anesthetics. Strong analgesics, provide dermal anesthesia, the effect persists for an additional 120 minutes after removing the treatment strip from the skin. Used for neuropathic back pain, before injections or superficial surgery.
- Novelties manufactured with special technologies. They include bioactive substances of the smallest sizes deposited on a polymeric base, which can easily penetrate the layers of the epidermis, reach a sore spot, produce radiation in the infrared region of the spectrum and create a constant magnetic field. The result of the combined effect of nanoparticles is increased local blood flow, improved lymphatic drainage, relief from pain, inflammatory reactions, removal of edema, muscle relaxation and restoration of functions. Patches are indicated for violation of sensitivity, pain in the cervical and lumbar region against the background of a pinched nerve, sciatica, spondylarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine.
- Patches based on medicinal plants - also called Chinese patches. They are not officially a medicine, they are registered as products belonging to the category of sanitary and hygienic products and cosmetics. Manufacturers emphasize the effectiveness and safety of herbal patches due to the huge amount of useful natural substances that form the basis of medical plaque. There are many variations of adhesive tapes and the reviews of them are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings, frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes are observed. The range of application is wide, including osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, sciatica.
How to use
All back pain patches are for external use only. They cannot be reused, after removing the skin, they must be discarded. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a dry, well-cleaned skin surface in the troubled area and left to act for the period specified by the manufacturer.
The instruction states that:
- Pepper plasters can be left on the skin, providing a therapeutic effect, for 2 days. It can irritate the skin and cause severe burns. Reapplication is only possible after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area in a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for complete drying. The formed film is removed in one day.
- Thermal patches are rarely attached directly to the naked body, as the perceived temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends attaching them to very dense underwear. After opening the packaging bag and removing the sticker, remove the protective film from it. It must be used immediately and in its entirety - cutting is prohibited! The maximum duration of use is 10 to 12 hours a day.
- Adhesives with NSAIDs can only be applied for 24 hours. The maximum permissible daily dose is 30 mg. The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed 21 days.
- Anesthetic patches are applied to the skin in the area of maximum 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 this treatment - if after 2-4 weeks of regular use a positive result is not observed, then the course of treatment should be completed.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require prolonged use. Recommended regimen: the first week - daily use 24 hours a day (when reapplying, it is advisable to move the patch slightly so as not to unnecessarily impede the skin from breathing), the second week and then - every other day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that visible changes will appear after 3 months of treatment, and in order to consolidate the effect achieved, it is necessary to prolong the therapy for at least another 3 months.
- Nanotechnological patches are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, stage of exacerbation of a chronic disease - 9-15 days. After a one-week break, you can repeat the treatment. The duration of continuous stay of the 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 slight burning sensation and a flush of heat.
Contraindications for use
If we compare different types of adhesives, using treatment safety as a criterion, modern high-quality developments are the most preferable. The list of contraindications to its use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large warts at the sites of attachment of the plates, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to the lack of sufficient clinical data to confirm safety for fetal development). The next safest patch is Nano Patch GS, which is prohibited to be treated by pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years and individuals with individual intolerance to the constituent components. Thermal patches should also not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus or undergoing cardiac surgery.
The list is closed with patches with NSAIDs, which have the following contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to non-steroidal substances, auxiliary elements of the drug;
- aspirin triad;
- dysfunction of the kidneys, liver;
- chronic course of cardiac dysfunction;
- erosion, gastrointestinal ulcers;
- exacerbation of porphyrin disease;
- age of elderly or children - 0-15 years;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
analogues
The above is an exhaustive list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, they have no analogues in this dosage form. Other drugs for dermal use, ointments and gels, sprays, including the same active substance, have the closest effect.
Back pain is a reason to immediately consult a doctor, self-medication by any means can cause the development of a serious pathology.