For those who suffer from back pain, the patch is an easy-to-use, inexpensive, effective and safe dosage form. It is not able to cure the disease or remove the cause of discomfort, because. this is only one important link in the treatment complex. The effect of the patch is aimed at eliminating or relieving 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. Without adversely affecting other systems and organs, the back pain patch delivers medicinal substances to the right place, provides sufficient concentration for the development of a therapeutic effect, and a point effect directly at the source of pain.
Properties and types of plasters.
The patch is a relatively new form of medication related to the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its distinctive feature is a unique structure that has a number of 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 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 purposefully and faster than in forms for oral administration;
- when applied to the skin, a systemic effect is provided, but the substances are absorbed into the inferior or superior vena cava system, bypassing the liver and digestive tract and without undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (hepatic metabolism and primary gastric), in which medicinal substances are broken down and often lose their pharmacological activity;
- the ability to slowly release the active ingredients on the surface of the dermis, which provides a longer period of exposure. This occurs due to the continuous delivery of the drug to the body at a rate that creates a constant and close to the therapeutic minimum concentration level of the drug in the bloodstream;
- the absence of a withdrawal syndrome with an acute end to the application;
- the ability to combine with other medications, physiotherapy procedures and treatment methods;
- the controlled release and prolonged action of the back pain relief patch allows the frequency of administration of the prescribed medication to be reduced. 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 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, depending on the composition and the principle of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, because many of them act by various 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.
In pharmacies, you can find products of the following brands specialized in the production of dosed drugs, completely ready to use, intended for external use in the form of a patch:
- irritant action;
- with heat reflective coating, dry heat;
- with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or others;
- with the addition of medicinal herbs and oils;
- based on substances of chondroprotective action;
- analgesics with local anesthetics;
- nanotechnology
Overview of the most popular back patches
The development and implementation of transdermal therapeutic systems has changed the idea of the patch as a simple protective sticker from 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 for parenteral and oral administration. There are many reasons that can cause pain and heaviness in the back. This may be due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, nerve pinching, chronic infection, back injuries, stress, age-related changes.
In order not to aggravate the situation, 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 the pain, the probable causes of its occurrence, the physiological characteristics of the body, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug.
Only a specialist, after a full survey and examination, can determine which medical label is better, because. they differ in principle of action and tasks. Brief description and characteristics of the most prescribed analgesic patches for the treatment of the back:
- Pepper - the most popular, well proven. Cheap and efficient. The liquid gel patches are transparent, hypoallergenic and fix securely. A rush of heat when applying the gel film is felt after 2 minutes. Capsaicin-based stickers (an extract made from hot pepper) improve blood flow, metabolic processes in the affected area, reduce muscle tension, have a locally irritating, comforting, antispasmodic and resolving effect. They relieve pain due to a distraction effect, while the pain is replaced by a slight burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, can irritate the skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgic syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, spinal muscle myalgia.
- 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 maintain the optimum temperature for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. Single-use stickers anesthetize, provide uniform heating, increase blood circulation, and relax the constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run the length of the spine. The heating patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the lumbar or other muscles of the back, chronic osteoarthritis, 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 pain associated with the inflammatory process of swelling. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure causes the probability of unwanted side reactions (the risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). They usually provide relief in acute periods of the disease: with inflammation, degenerative changes in the spine, lumboischialgia. It is also shown for the back and joints as a means of providing rapid recovery from overexertion, injuries and sprains.
- A highly specific 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 damaging factors, helps restore the hyaline layer and stimulates tissue regeneration. The drug is of natural origin, it is expensive, it provides nutrients and anti-inflammatory substances. Their 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. Strong analgesics, provide dermal anesthesia, the effect persists for another 120 minutes after removing the treatment strip from the skin. It is used for neuropathic back pain, before injections or superficial surgery.
- Novelties made with 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 the nanoparticles is an increase in local blood flow, an improvement in lymphatic drainage, pain relief, inflammatory reactions, removal of edema, muscle relaxation and function restoration. Patches are indicated for violation of sensitivity, pain in the cervical and lumbar region against the background of a pinched nerve, sciatica, spondyloarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine.
- Medicinal plant-based 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 is due to the large number of useful natural substances that form the basis of medical plaque. There are many variations of duct tape and reviews of them are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings, frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes are noted. 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 subject to reuse, after removing them from the skin they must be disposed of. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a dry and well-cleaned skin surface in the affected area and left to act for the time specified by the manufacturer.
The instruction states that:
- Pepper plasters can be on the skin, providing a therapeutic effect, for 2 days. May irritate skin and cause severe burns. Reapplication is possible only after a short break. The gel patch is applied to the problem area with a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for complete drying. The formed film is removed in a day.
- Thermal patches rarely stick directly to the naked body, because the perceived temperature can reach high values, so the manufacturer recommends fixing them on fairly dense underwear. After opening the packaging bag and removing the patch, remove the protective film. It must be used immediately and in full - cutting is prohibited! The maximum duration of use is 10-12 hours per day.
- NSAID patches are allowed to adhere for only 24 hours. The maximum allowed 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. Can be cut, paste at the same time 3 pieces in 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 observed, then the course of treatment should be completed.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require prolonged use. Recommended regimen: the first week: daily use for 24 hours (when reapplying, it is recommended to move the patch slightly so as not to impede the skin's breathing unnecessarily), 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 achieved effect, it is necessary to extend the therapy for at least 3 more months.
- Nanotechnological plasters are used in short courses: acute pain - 3-9 days, the stage of exacerbation of a chronic disease - 9-15 days. After a week of rest, 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 usually 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, then high-quality modern developments are most preferable. The list of contraindications to its use is limited to the presence of open wounds, warts, large moles at the sites of plaque fixation, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to the lack of sufficient clinical data confirming the safety for the fetal development). The next safest patch is Nano Patch GS, the treatment of which is prohibited for pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents from 0 to 18 years of age and people with individual intolerance to the constituent components. Thermal patches should also not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus or who have undergone heart surgery.
The list closes with NSAID patches, 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 lactation.
analogs
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 provoke the development of serious pathology.