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. it is only an important link in the processing 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 mucous membrane of thegastrointestinal tract or painful injections which have many side effects and contraindications. Without negatively affecting other systems and organs, the patch for back pain delivers medicinal substances to the right place, provides sufficient concentration for the development of a therapeutic effect and a point effect directly on the source of pain.
Properties and types of plasters
The patch is a relatively new form of medicine related to the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its peculiarity is a unique structure that has many 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 2-3days) ;
- the active elements quickly penetrate the superficial blood vessels through the upper layers of the skin, begin to act purposefully and faster than in the forms of 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, bypassing the liver and digestive tract and not undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (hepatic metabolismand primary gastric), in which medicinal substances are broken down and usually lose their pharmacological activity;
- the ability to slowly release active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, which allows for a longer exposure time. This occurs due to the continuous delivery of the drug to the body at a rate that creates a constant, near therapeutic minimum level of therapeutic concentration of the drug in the bloodstream;
- the absence of withdrawal syndrome with a sharp end to the application;
- the possibility of combining with other drugs, physiotherapy procedures and treatment methods;
- controlling the release and prolonged action of the pain relief patch reduces the frequency of administration of the prescribed drug. This, in turn, minimizes the systemic and local side effects characteristic of repeated long-term use, the presence and magnitude of the cumulative effect, and avoids a possible weakening of the pharmacological effect.
Due to its benefits, transdermal therapy has rapidly gained popularity. Officially, several dozen medical adhesive tapes with various active substances are registered worldwide. All existing patches for the treatment of back pain, based on the composition and the principle of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, becausemany of them act by several 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 domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented.
You will find in pharmacies the products of the following brands specialized in the manufacture of fully ready-to-use dosed drugs intended for external use in the form of a patch:
- irritating action;
- with heat-reflecting coating, dry heat;
- with nonsteroidal agents 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 rear patches
The development and implementation of transdermal therapeutic systems has changed the idea of the patch as simply a protective sticker against damage. The presence of a drug reservoir has made the patch an important element in the symptomatic treatment of low back pain and an alternative to parenteral and oral administration. There are many reasons that can cause back pain and heaviness. This may be due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infection, back injury, stress, age-related changes.
In order not to aggravate the situation, 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 the pains, the probable causes of their occurrence, the physiological characteristics of the organism, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug.
Only a specialist, after a thorough investigation and examination, is able to determine which medical sticker is better, 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, proven. Cheap and effective. Liquid gel patches are transparent, hypoallergenic, firmly attached. A surge of heat during the application of the gel film is felt after 2 minutes. Stickers based on capsaicin (an extract of hot capsicum) improve blood circulation, 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, arthralgic syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, spinal muscle myalgia.
- A category of thermal plasters containing a set of substances (Turfan sand, coke, salt, activated carbon, iron and mineral powder, etc. ), capable of heating up to 40-58 degrees in just 20 minutes on contact with theair and maintain the optimal temperature for 7 to 12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. Single-use stickers anesthetize, provide even heating, increased blood circulation, relaxation of constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run along the spine. The heating patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the lumbar muscles or other back muscles, chronic arthrosis, sciatica.
- Patch masses with the inclusion of Diclofenac are representatives of the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They act quickly without irritating the skin. They are characterized by pronounced 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 nonsteroidal structure leads to the likelihood of undesirable side reactions (the risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). Usually they provide relief in acute periods of the disease: with inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, lumboischialgia. Also indicated for the back and joints as a means of rapid recovery after overwork, injury or sprain.
- A 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 restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. The drug is of natural origin, is 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, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, which is a combination of 2 anesthetics. Powerful analgesics, provide skin anesthesia, the effect persists for another 120 minutes after removal of the treatment strip from the skin. Used for neuropathic back pain, before injections or superficial surgery.
- Novelties made using special technologies. They include bioactive substances of the smallest sizes deposited on a polymer 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 of pain, inflammatory reactions, suppression of edema, muscle relaxation and restoration of function. Patches are indicated for violation of sensitivity, pain in the cervical and lumbar region on the background of pinched nerve, sciatica, spondylarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine.
- Medicinal herbal stickers - they are 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, which are due to the huge amount of useful natural substances that form the basis of the medical patch. There are many variations of adhesive tapes and their reviews are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings are frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes. The scope of application is wide, includes osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, sciatica.
How to use
All back pain patches are for external use only. They are not subject to reuse, after being removed from the skin, they must be disposed of. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a well-cleansed surface of dry skin in the troublesome area and left to act for the period specified by the manufacturer.
The instruction specifies that:
- Pepper dressings can be applied to the skin, providing a therapeutic effect, for 2 days. May irritate skin and cause severe burns. Reapplication is only possible after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area with a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for complete drying. The film formed is removed within a day.
- Thermal patches are rarely attached directly to the naked body, since the perceived temperature can reach high values, therefore the manufacturer recommends attaching them to fairly dense underwear. After opening the packaging bag and removing the patch, remove the protective film from it. It must be used immediately and in its entirety - it is forbidden to cut it! The maximum duration of use is 10 to 12 hours per day.
- Patches containing NSAIDs are only allowed to stick 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, glued at the same time 3 pieces on different parts of the body. Application time - 1-5 hours, then the effect wanes. 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 no positive results are observed, treatment should be terminated.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require prolonged use. Recommended regimen: the first week - daily use around the clock (when reapplying, it is advisable to move the patch slightly so as not to unnecessarily interfere with the breathing of the skin), the second week, 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 achieved effect, it is necessary to prolong treatment for at least another 3 months.
- Nanotechnological dressings are used in a short course: acute pain - 3-9 days, stage of exacerbation of a chronic disease - 9-15 days. After a week break, you can repeat the treatment. The duration of the continuous stay of the 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 slight burning sensation and a flush of heat.
Contraindications for use
If we compare different types of patches, using the safety of treatment as a criterion, modern high-quality developments are the most preferable. The list of contraindications to their use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large moles at the sites of plaque attachment, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to lack ofsufficient clinical data confirming the safety for the developing foetus). The next safest patch is the Nano Patch GS, the treatment of which is prohibited for pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents from 0 to 18 years old and people with individual intolerance to the constituent components. Heat patches should also not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus or who have had heart surgery.
The list is closed with patches with NSAIDs, which have the following contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal 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 the elderly or children - 0-15 years;
- 3rd trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Analogs
The above is an exhaustive list of patches on the pharmaceutical market, they have no analogues in this dosage form. Other drugs for skin 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 provoke the development of serious pathology.