For those suffering from back pain, the patch is an easy to use, affordable, effective and safe dosage form. It is unable to cure the disease or eliminate the cause of the discomfort, because. this is only an important link in the overall treatment. 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 doctor, taking pills that are harmful to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract or painful injections that have many effects collateral and contraindications. 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 point effect directly on the source of pain.
Properties and types of plasters
The patch is a relatively new form of drug related to the transdermal therapeutic system.
Its distinguishing 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 in a targeted way 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 system of the inferior or superior vena cava, bypassing the liver and digestive tract and not undergoing a complex of biochemical transformations (primary hepatic and gastric metabolism), 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 provides 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 minimum level of therapeutic concentration of the drug in the bloodstream;
- the absence of a withdrawal syndrome with a sharp end of application;
- the ability to combine with other drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures and methods of treatment;
- controlling the release and prolonged action of the painkiller patch allows you to reduce the frequency of administration of the prescribed drug. 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 avoids a possible weakening of the pharmacological effect.
Thanks to its benefits, transdermal therapy quickly gained popularity. Officially, several dozen medical adhesive tapes with various active ingredients are registered in the world. All existing patches for the treatment of back pain, according to the composition and the principle of exposure, can be divided into groups. This division is conditional, becausemany 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. On the pharmaceutical market, patches of domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented.
In pharmacies you can find products of the following brands that specialize in the production of dosed and completely ready-to-use medicines intended for external use in the form of a patch:
- irritating action;
- with heat reflective coating, dry heat;
- with non-steroidal or other anti-inflammatory agents;
- with the addition of herbs and medicinal oils;
- based on substances with chondroprotective action;
- painkillers 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 damage protective adhesive. 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 can be due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, diseases of internal organs, physical overload, hypothermia, pinched nerves, chronic infections, 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 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 can prescribe one or another drug.
Only a specialist, after a survey and a thorough examination, is able to determine which medical adhesive is better, why. they differ in principle of action and tasks. Brief description and characteristics of the most commonly prescribed pain relief patches for back treatment:
- Pepper - the most popular, well proven. Economical and efficient. Liquid gel patches are clear, hypoallergenic, securely fixed. After 2 minutes there is a wave of heat during the application of the gel film. The adhesives based on capsaicin (an extract based on hot pepper) 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 mild burning and tingling sensation. Aggressive, it can irritate the skin. Indicated for radiculitis, rheumatic diseases, arthralgic syndrome, back neuralgia, lumbago, myalgia of the spinal muscles.
- 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 to maintain the optimum temperature for 7-12 hours. This subgroup has a high cost and a relatively long list of contraindications. Disposable adhesives anesthetize, provide uniform heating, increased blood circulation, relaxation of the constantly tense deep muscle fibers that run along the spine. The warming patch helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, myositis of the lumbar muscles or other muscles of the back, chronic arthrosis, 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 marked anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The effect is long lasting. Eliminates the pain associated with the inflammatory process of swelling. The synthetic composition of the non-steroidal structure causes the likelihood of unwanted side reactions (the risk increases with prolonged treatment with the patch). They usually bring relief in acute periods of the disease: with inflammation, degenerative changes of the spine, low back pain. Also indicated 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 the synthesis of connective tissue increases the production of cartilage matrix, protects the cartilage from damaging 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 degenerative-dystrophic deforming changes in the spine.
- Local anesthetic with lidocaine, which is a combination of 2 anesthetics. Strong pain relievers, provide skin anesthesia, the effect persists for another 120 minutes after removing the treatment strip from the skin. Used for neuropathic back pain, prior to injections or superficial surgery.
- News made with special technologies. They include bioactive substances of the smallest size 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 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.
- Medicinal plant-based adhesives: They are also called Chinese patches. They are not officially a medicine, they are registered as products belonging to the category of health, hygiene and cosmetic products. 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 plate. There are many variations of adhesive tapes, and reviews about them are mostly positive. Among the shortcomings, frequent allergic reactions and a large number of fakes are noted. The field 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 removal from the skin they must be disposed of. After removing the protective strip, the product is applied to a dry and well-cleansed skin surface in the disturbing area and left to act for the period indicated by the manufacturer.
The statement states that:
- Pepper patches can be 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 with a thin layer, without rubbing, waiting for complete drying. 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 fixing them on fairly dense underwear. After opening the packing bag and removing the patch, remove the protective film from it. It must be used immediately and in its entirety - cutting is prohibited! The maximum duration of use is 10-12 hours per day.
- Patches with NSAIDs can only stay on for 24 hours The maximum allowable daily dose is 30 mg. The duration of the treatment course should not exceed 21 days.
- Anesthetic patches are applied to the skin in the area of maximum pain. They can be cut, glued 3 pieces on different parts of the body at the same time. Application time - 1-5 hours, then the effect subsides. The interval between repeated applications is at least 12 hours. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of such treatment: if a positive result is not observed after 2-4 weeks of regular use, it is necessary to complete the course of treatment.
- Patches with chondroprotectors require prolonged use. Recommended regimen: the first week - daily use 24 hours a day (during reapplication, it is recommended to move the patch slightly so as not to unnecessarily hinder skin breathing), the second week and then - every other day. The manufacturer's instructions promise that after 3 months of treatment visible changes will appear, and to consolidate the effect obtained, it is necessary to prolong 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 week off, 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 hot flash.
Contraindications to use
If we compare different types of patches, using the safety of treatment as a criterion, high-quality modern 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 fixation, skin diseases and pregnancy (due to lack of sufficient clinical data to confirm safety for fetal development) . The next safer patch is Nano Patch GS, the treatment of which is prohibited for pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 18, and people with individual intolerance to the constituent components. Thermal patches should also not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus or who have had heart surgery.
The list ends with NSAID patches, 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;
- elderly or children's age - 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 cutaneous use, ointments and gels, sprays, including the same active ingredient, 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.