To slow down the destruction of articular and cartilage tissue, experts recommend using drugs from the category of chondroprotectors. The action of such funds is aimed at protecting and restoring the joint. A popular and effective remedy is Artradol. Instructions for use, release form and analogues of the drug will be discussed in detail in the article.
Medicine description
With degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, additional support for the joints is needed, which certain medications can provide. Such drugs belong to the category of chondroprotectors. They can be used to treat any stage of the disease, because they have anti-inflammatory, anti-proteolytic and antioxidant effects, stimulate the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and increase the production of synovial fluid.
Improve metabolism in joint tissues is able todrug "Artradol". Instructions for use describe in detail the composition of this drug, indications for its administration, mechanism of action and features of use. Chondroprotector is suitable for both treatment and prevention of degenerative-dystrophic pathologies.
The drug is produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies Incamfarm, Biok, Armavir biofactory. You can buy it in pharmacies at a price of 600 to 780 rubles per pack.
Issue form
A drug is sold in the form of a lyophilisate, from which a solution for intramuscular injection is prepared. One ampoule contains 2 ml of a porous tablet. "Artradol" in ampoules is placed on a cardboard pallet. One package may contain one or two such pallets, which can hold 5 or 10 vials of lyophilisate.
Another form of release of the chondroprotector is an ointment for external use. It contains 5% active ingredient. In pharmacies, the drug in the form of an ointment is extremely rare. This is due to the fact that the agent is more effective when administered intramuscularly.
Composition
What substance is active in Artradol? For the therapeutic effect of the drug, chondroitin sulfate is responsible - the main component of proteoglycans involved, together with collagen fibers, in the formation of the cartilage matrix. One ampoule contains 100 mg of this component. 1 g of ointment contains 0.05 g of chondroitin sulfate and auxiliary components in the form of anhydrouslanolin, medical vaseline, dimethyl sulfoxide and water.
How does the drug work?
The active substance has chondroprotective efficacy, the action of which is aimed at suppressing the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative-dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate stimulates the regeneration of joint tissues, activates the production of synovial fluid.
According to the reviews, Artradol has pronounced anti-inflammatory, analgesic and chondroprotective properties. The drug significantly improves joint mobility, prevents the collapse of the connective tissue.
A large concentration of the drug in the blood can be detected as early as 15 minutes after intramuscular injection. The active substance accumulates mainly in cartilaginous tissues. To achieve the necessary therapeutic effect, a long-term medication is required. The duration of the treatment course should be at least two months.
When is Artradol prescribed?
Indications for the use of this drug are various diseases of the joints and spine. Only a specialist should prescribe drug therapy.
In most degenerative-dystrophic pathologies, destruction of articular tissues is observed. You can start the process of their recovery only with the help of modern drugs from the category of chondroprotectors, for example, Artradol. Instructions for use informs that the drug will be effective in the following cases:
- at primary andsecondary osteoarthritis;
- for arthritis;
- with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine;
- if necessary, prevention of arthrosis.
Pathologies of cartilage tissue are often found in people over 50 years of age. This is due to the fact that at this age there is dehydration of the intervertebral discs, which negatively affects their elasticity. Predisposition also have people suffering from endocrine and metabolic disorders, overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Application features
"Artradol" in injections, experts recommend using during exacerbations of pathologies of the spine and joints. The increased speed of "delivery" of the active component of the drug to the focus of the inflammatory process will make the treatment more effective. The need for long-term use of a chondroprotective agent is fully justified. After completing the course of therapy, the general condition improves significantly, motor activity is restored, and the main symptoms of the pathological process are eliminated.
Dosage
According to the instructions for use, "Artradol" should be injected at 100 mg every other day. The lyophilisate is preliminarily mixed with 1 ml of water for injection. If after several injections the patient has no complaints regarding the tolerability of the drug, a single dosage is allowed to be increased to 200 mg.
The course of therapy should consist of at least 25 injections. It is advisable to repeat the treatment every six months. The duration of repeated treatment courses is determined by the neuropathologist.
Contraindications
The drug is not used in pediatric practice, because the effect of the drug on patients under 18 years of age has not been studied. It is not recommended to prescribe a chondroprotector to patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance in the composition of the lyophilisate. With caution, it is prescribed for a tendency to bleeding, as well as for people suffering from thrombophlebitis, diabetes, kidney failure, pregnant and lactating women.
Side effects
With prolonged use of the medication, some negative reactions of the body may appear. Although such cases are recorded extremely rarely. Side effects include an allergic rash, hemorrhages at the injection site.
With the simultaneous use of Artradol injections and drugs from the category of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants and fibrinolytics, you will need to regularly take a blood test to determine its clotting.
Possible substitutes
With osteochondrosis of the spine, especially in the initial stage, chondroprotectors in the form of injections will be very effective. Such funds quickly improve the mobility of the vertebrae and contribute to the activation of the processes of regeneration of damaged joint tissues.
The following means can be used as analogues of "Artradol":
- Dona.
- Alflutop.
- Chondroguard.
- Structum.
- Chondroitin sulfate.
- Mukosat.
The huge advantage of a domestically produced drug is its cost. Given the fact that therapy should last at least two months, in order to save money, many still opt for a cheaper drug. Despite the low cost, "Artradol" is not inferior in efficiency to foreign counterparts.
Alflutop or Artradol?
As an active ingredient in the composition of the drug "Alflutop" raw materials obtained from extracts of cartilage tissues of four varieties of marine fish are used. The substance is purified from proteins and fats. The cost of the drug of a pharmaceutical company from Romania is several times higher than the price of Artradol. A package with 10 ampoules of the solution will cost the patient 1580-1700 rubles.
The drug is injected directly into the joint. It is worth noting that this is a rather painful manipulation, but at the same time, the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug is significantly increased. Assign a remedy to patients who have a history of arthrosis, coxarthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the joints and the musculoskeletal system.
After the injection of the solution into the joint, there may be a burning sensation, itching of the skin, short-term myalgia. Do not prescribe the drug to children under 18 years of age, patients with hypersensitivity to any of the components of the solution, pregnant and lactating women.
Artradol: reviews
As a chondroprotector, the drug "Artradol" is considered quite effective. It is recommended for use in degenerativedystrophic pathologies, many neuropathologists. According to patients' reviews, after undergoing a course of therapy with this medication, there is a positive trend and an improvement in the condition. The effect lasts for several months.
