For those suffering from low back pain, the patch is an easy, affordable, effective and safe dosage form to use. Because he cannot cure the disease or eliminate the cause of the anxiety. this is only an 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 taking harmful or painful pills to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, without the help of a medical professional. injections with many side effects and contraindications. Without adversely affecting other systems and organs, the patch for low back pain delivers the necessary drugs, provides sufficient concentration for the development of the therapeutic effect and a point effect directly on the source of pain.
Properties and types of gypsum
The patch is a relatively new form of medication associated with the transdermal therapeutic system.
It is a unique structure with a number of distinctive features:
- ease of use, ease of wearing - invisibility to others, protection of freedom of movement, ease 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);
- the active elements rapidly penetrate the superficial blood vessels through the upper layers of the skin, begin to move purposefully, and faster than forms for oral administration;
- When applied to the skin, a systemic effect is provided, but the substances are absorbed into the lower or upper vena cava system through the liver and digestive tract and without undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (primary liver and stomach metabolism). which drugs are broken down and usually lose their pharmacological activity;
- the ability to slowly release active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, providing a longer exposure time. This is due to the continuous supply of the drug to the body at a rate close to a stable and minimum therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream;
- absence of withdrawal syndrome with acute end of application;
- ability to combine with other drugs, physiotherapy procedures and treatments;
- Control over the release of the analgesic patch and its long-term action allows you to reduce the frequency of taking prescribed medications. This, in turn, minimizes the systemic and local side effects characteristic of long-term reuse, minimizes the presence and scale of the cumulative effect, and prevents possible weakening of the pharmacological effect.
Due to its benefits, transdermal therapy quickly gained popularity. Dozens of medical adhesive tapes with various active ingredients have been officially registered in the world. Based on the composition and principle of exposure, all available patches for the treatment of low back pain can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, because many of the mechanisms act by several mechanisms, and the effect of one active component has a complex effect when completed by the work of another. The pharmaceutical market offers patches of local and foreign manufacturers.
In pharmacies you can find products of the following brands, specializing in the production of dosage, completely ready-to-use drugs for external use in the form of patches:
- irritating action;
- heat-reflecting coating, with dry heat;
- with non-steroidal or other anti-inflammatory agents;
- with the addition of herbs and oils;
- based on substances of chondroprotective activity;
- painkillers with local anesthesia;
- nanotechnology.
Review of the most popular back patches
The development and application of transdermal therapeutic systems has changed the idea of the patch as a sticker that protects against simple injury. The availability of a drug depot has made patching an important element in the symptomatic treatment of low back pain and an alternative to parenteral and oral administration. There are many causes that can cause back pain and heaviness. These can be problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the internal organs, physical activity, hypothermia, constricted nerves, chronic infection, back injury, stress, age-related changes.
In order not to aggravate the situation, the pain can not 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, the probable causes of their occurrence, the physiological characteristics of the body, the doctor may prescribe this or that drug.
Because only a specialist can determine which medical sticker is better after a survey and thorough examination. differ in the principles of action and duty. Brief description and features of the most commonly prescribed analgesic patches for back treatment:
- Pepper - the most popular, well-proven. Cheap and efficient. Liquid patches-gels are transparent, hypoallergenic, securely fastened. When applying the gel film, the heat increase is felt after 2 minutes. Capsaicin-based stickers (extract of hot pepper) improve blood flow, metabolic processes in the affected area, reduce muscle tension, have a local irritant, warming, antispasmodic and resolving effect. They relieve pain due to distracting effects, and the pain is replaced by a slight burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, can irritate skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgia syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, myalgia of the spinal muscles.
- A category of thermal plasters containing a number of substances (turf sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powder, etc. ), capable of heating to 40-58 degrees when in contact with air for only 20 minutes. Optimal temperature for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high price and a relatively long list of contraindications. Disposable stickers provide anesthesia, provide uniform heat, increase blood circulation, and relax the constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run along the spine. Warming patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the spine or other back muscles, chronic osteoarthritis, sciatica.
- The patch masses containing diclofenac belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They act quickly without irritating the skin. They are characterized by clear anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect is long lasting. Eliminate the pain associated with the inflammatory process of swelling. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure leads to the possibility of undesirable side effects (increased risk with long-term treatment with the patch). They usually bring relief in the acute stages of the disease: inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, with lumboischialgia. It is also indicated for the back and joints as a means of speedy recovery from excessive tension, injuries and sprains.
- Highly targeted adhesive tape containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and neurotropic vitamin B1. The complex of active substances involved in the synthesis of connective tissue increases the production of cartilage matrix, protects cartilage from damaging factors, helps to 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 pain syndrome. This type of patch is recommended for degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, a combination of 2 anesthetics. Strong painkillers provide dermal anesthesia, the effect lasts for another 120 minutes after the treatment strip is removed from the skin. For neuropathic back pain, it is used before injection or superficial surgery.
- Innovations produced using special technologies. These include the smallest bioactive substances that can easily penetrate the layers of the epidermis, reach the painful area, generate radiation in the infrared region of the spectrum and create a stable magnetic field. The combined effect of nanoparticles results in increased local blood flow, improved lymphatic drainage, pain relief, inflammatory reactions, edema relief, muscle relaxation and restoration of function. Patches are indicated for sensitivity disorders, cervical and lumbar pain on the background of compressed nerves, sciatica, spondylosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine.
- Medicinal plant-based stickers - also called Chinese patches. They are not officially registered as medicines, but as sanitary products and cosmetics. The manufacturers emphasize the effectiveness and safety of herbal patches, which is due to the large number of useful natural substances that form the basis of the medical board. There are many variants of adhesive tapes, and the feedback from them is mostly positive. Among the shortcomings are often allergic reactions and a large number of frauds. The scope 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 are not reused and must be discarded after removal from the skin. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a well-cleaned dry skin surface in the area of concern and left to act for a period specified by the manufacturer.
The instructions say:
- Pepper plasters can be on the skin for 2 days, giving a therapeutic effect. May irritate skin and cause severe burns. Re-application is possible only after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area without rubbing with a thin layer, waiting for it to dry completely. The resulting film is removed in a day.
- Thermal patches are rarely applied directly to the naked body, as the accepted temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends fixing them in tight enough underwear. After opening the packaging bag and removing the patch, remove the protective film. Must be used immediately and whole - cutting is prohibited! Maximum use time is 10-12 hours a day.
- Patches with NSAIDs are only allowed to adhere for 24 hours. The maximum allowable 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 maximum pain. They can be cut and glued to different parts of the body at the same time. Duration of application - 1-5 hours, then the effect weakens. The interval between repeated applications is at least 12 hours. The effectiveness of such treatment should be evaluated - if no positive results are observed after 2-4 weeks of regular use, then the course of treatment should be completed.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require long-term use. Recommended regimen: the first week - daily use day and night (when re-applied, it is recommended to move the patch a little to avoid unnecessary obstruction of the skin's breathing), the second week and then - every day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that visible changes will appear after 3 months of treatment, and therapy should be extended for at least another 3 months to enhance the effect obtained.
- Nanotechnological plasters are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, the stage of exacerbation of chronic disease - 9-15 days. You can repeat the treatment after a week break. The durability of the adhesive tape on the skin is limited to 12 hours, after which the skin should rest for at least 6 hours. The therapeutic effect is often accompanied by a slight burning sensation and heat flushing.
Contraindications
Using the safety of treatment as a criterion and comparing different types of patches, high-quality modern developments are preferred. The list of contraindications to their use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large moles at the site of plate fixation, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to lack of sufficient clinical data confirming safety for fetal development). The next safest patch is the Nano Patch GS, which is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, children 0-18 years of age, and adolescents and individuals with individual intolerance to the ingredients. Thermal patches should not be used in patients with diabetes or heart surgery.
The list is linked to NSAIDs with the following contraindications:
- sensitivity to non-steroidal substances, excipients;
- aspirin trio;
- dysfunction of the kidneys, liver;
- chronic course of cardiac dysfunction;
- erosion, gastrointestinal ulcers;
- exacerbation of porphyrin disease;
- adult or child age - 0-15 years;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Analogs
The above is a complete list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, which have no analogues in this dosage form. Other medications, ointments and gels, sprays, including the same active ingredient for skin use, have the closest effect.
Low back pain is a reason to seek medical attention immediately, as self-medication in any way can lead to the development of a serious pathology.