"Chondroitin sulfate" is essentially a structural chemical component of human cartilage. With a pathological disease or injury, the joint begins to collapse. Natural forces are not enough to accelerate regeneration, and therefore an artificial stimulator is needed through special medicines, chondroprotectors.
When a patient takes a course with such drugs, the joint bag and cartilage surface are slowly restored, the secretion of fluid inside the joint increases, the biological synthesis of connective tissue is accelerated, the development of arthrosis is reduced, symptoms such as limited mobility, pain, joint clicks are eliminated.
Form of issue and its composition
"Chondroitin sulfate" has various forms of release:
- lyophilisate for the manufacture of a solution for intramuscular injection: a porous white mass, compressed into a tablet (powder in a volume of 100 mg in colorless ampoules, five ampoules in a cellblisters, one or two blister blisters in a carton box; in a box of five or ten ampoules);
- solution for intramuscular injection: a clear or yellowish liquid with a pleasant floral aroma that is characteristic of benzyl alcohol (one or two milliliters of solution in colorless glass ampoules, five ampoules in a blister strip pack, one carton contains one or two packs of Chondroitin Sulfate shots).
One vial of lyophilisate contains 100 mg of the active ingredient. One milliliter of the solution contains 100 mg of chondroitin sodium sulfate, that is, the active ingredient, as well as excipients: water for injection, gasoline alcohol.
Pharmacodynamic specificity
"Chondroitin sulfate" acts as the main ingredient of proteoglycans, which together with collagen fibers create a cartilage matrix with the following properties:
- It has the effectiveness of a chondroprotective type.
- Inhibits the activity of enzymes that cause degradation of joint cartilage.
- Increases metabolic processes in subchondral bone and cartilage.
- Stimulates the production of proteoglycans by chondrocytes.
- Affects the exchange of calcium and phosphorus in cartilage tissue, promoting its regeneration and taking part in the construction of the main substance of cartilage and bone tissue. This drug is anti-inflammatory and analgesiceffect, reduces the release of inflammatory mediators into the synovial fluid, reduces pain factors through synoviocytes and macrophages of the synovial membrane, inhibiting the secretion of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4.
- The use of "Chondroitin sulfate" makes it possible to prevent the collapse of connective tissue, accelerates the restoration of articular cartilage surfaces, normalizes the production of fluid in the joints, thereby improving their mobility and allowing to reduce pain intensity and reduce inflammation, as well as reduce the need for anti-inflammatory non-steroidal preparations. If degenerative changes occur in the cartilage tissue, then the drug acts as a means of replacement treatment. The patient feels the effect of this drug two to three weeks after its use, the intensity of joint pain decreases, the clinical signs of reactive synovitis are eliminated, and there is an increase in the range of motion in the inflamed joints. When therapy ends, the effect of it lasts from three months to six months.
This confirms the instructions for use for "Chondroitin sulfate".
Pharmacokinetics
This drug is well absorbed during intramuscular injection, after an hour the maximum concentration is reached, decreasing gradually over forty-eight hours. The drug accumulates mainly in the cartilaginous articular tissue, penetrating through the synovial membrane. "Chondroitin sulfate" is found in the synovialliquid fifteen minutes after the injection, after which it enters the cartilage of the joint, where the maximum concentration is reached after two days.
When is the drug used?
Lyophilisate is used for osteoarthritis of the spine and peripheral joints. In the form of a solution, it is used for degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the spine and joints: intervertebral osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis; osteoarthritis of the joints in the periphery. The drug is used to accelerate the production of callus during fractures.
Contraindications
According to the instructions for "Chondroitin sulfate", the contraindications are:
- thrombophlebitis, bleeding tendency and direct bleeding;
- patient's pregnancy and lactation period;
- excessive sensitivity to one or another component of the medicinal product.
An additional contraindication to the use of the drug in the form of a solution is the child's age of the patient.
How to use the product and the required dosage
Chondroitin sulfate is administered intramuscularly. To prepare a solution based on a lyophilisate, it is necessary to dissolve the agent contained in the ampoule in one milliliter of water for injection before injection. Desirable dosage: every other day, one milliliter. After the fourth injection, if well tolerated, you can increase the dosage to two milliliters.
Duration of therapy - from 25 to 30 injections. Six months later you canconduct refresher courses. Their duration should be determined by the doctor. To achieve a stable effect, at least 25 medicinal injections are required, in this case, a long-term preservation of the positive effect is observed. Repeated courses are used to prevent new exacerbations. To form a callus, the remedy in the form of a solution must be used every other day for 3-4 weeks.
Side effects and possible overdose
As the instructions for use indicate, Chondroitin sulfate has side effects:
- hemorrhages at the injection site;
- allergic manifestations.
If such undesirable symptoms occur, it is advisable to stop the drug.
There are currently no reports of overdoses in patients.
Special instructions, analogues
In accordance with the instructions, the drug does not have any effect on the concentration of attention, as well as the speed characteristics of psychomotor reactions, and therefore the person's ability to drive vehicles and other complex mechanisms during treatment does not change.
There are no data on the efficacy and safety of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is better to refrain from treatment with this drug at such a time. If there is an urgent need, it is necessary to interrupt breastfeeding during the therapeutic period.
There are also no data on the use of the drug in young patients. This is also confirmed by reviews and instructions for "Chondroitin sulfate".
As analogues are: "Artra", "Artradol", "Artogistan", "Artravir", "Artrafik", "Mukosat", "Drastop", "Chondroitin", "Chondrolon", "Chondroitin-AKOS”, “Chondroguard”, “Chondroxide”.
Artra
Is a stimulator of regeneration in cartilaginous tissue.
Glucosamine and sodium chondroitin sulfate are involved in the biosynthesis of connective tissue, prevent cartilage destruction, stimulate regeneration. The drug has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect.
Chondrolone
The drug provides protection for cartilage. The synthesis of proteoglycans is stimulated, the enzymatic activity that caused the destruction of cartilage is inhibited, the metabolism in cartilage tissue is improved, as a result, the basis of bone and cartilage is formed.
The medicine relieves pain and inflammation. The surface of the cartilage is restored, the secretion of synovial fluid is regulated, pain becomes less noticeable, and the range of motion in the joints increases.
Reviews about "Chondroitin sulfate"
Reviews are mostly positive. The exceptions are situations where patients were forced to withdraw from the drug due to adverse reactions.
