Not so recently, plasters were used exclusively to protect open wounds from external influences. However, medicine does not stand still and is constantly evolving. Thanks to this, various patches with a therapeutic effect have appeared on sale. In addition to relieving pain, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve swelling. "Versatis" - a patch that belongs to the group of painkillers intended for the treatment of various diseases, including osteochondrosis.
Medicated patch benefits
Unlike creams and ointments, patches do not leave any visible marks on skin and clothes. Their use does not interfere with the usual way of life, besides, they are completely painlessly removed from the skin. Pain relief patches are used to treat almost all types of pain. In some cases, a person may experience an allergic reaction to the components that make up the patch. And this is perhaps the only disadvantage of this tool.
Patch for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a fairly well-known disease that occurs in most people. Tounfortunately it is extremely common. In some cases, doctors recommend the Versatis patch for osteochondrosis to patients.
It usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 40. However, the disease can develop at an earlier age. This is due to malnutrition, metabolic disorders in the body, excessive stress on the back and spine.
At the same time, a pain syndrome occurs in a person. Doctors recommend using local anesthetics (lidocaine and others) in this case. There are medications containing this substance that are available in a convenient form, for example, the Versatis lidocaine patch, reviews of which are usually positive. This is a transdermal patch that relieves pain. Substances in this patch activate tissue healing.
It is easy to attach to the desired part of the body, unlike a compress that slips off. The patch stays in place and provides quick access of the active substance to the tissues.
Mechanism of patch action
The main active ingredient of this product is lidocaine. It has a local anesthetic effect and antiarrhythmic effect. If lidocaine is administered intravenously to a patient, the substance will act powerfully, but not for long enough - about 15 minutes. In the tissues, it disintegrates very quickly, acting for no more than an hour. From the patch, lidocaine comes in gradually and in small doses. This ensures the optimal time of action of the drug on the body. If the patient has inflammation, the effectivenessanesthetic is slightly reduced.
"Versatis" (patch) does not irritate the skin, promotes the expansion of small vessels, increasing blood flow in the area of application. The substances of the patch are well absorbed through the skin into tissues. Then the main part of the active components, when passing through the liver, is converted into an inactive metabolite. When applied locally, it should be borne in mind that it can affect the entire body, penetrating into all tissues, including the brain, placenta, and breast milk.
How to improve the effectiveness of the patch
In some cases, you can achieve complete elimination of pain in 2-4 weeks. If no improvement is observed after this period, the specialist should reconsider the treatment tactics.
Before prescribing this remedy, it is extremely important to make a correct diagnosis. "Versatis" is not intended for deep penetration into tissues. Consequently, lidocaine may not directly reach the causative agent of the pain syndrome, and the analgesic effect may either be mild or not occur at all.
Indications for use
"Versatis" is prescribed for various pathologies, such as pain due to the development of myositis, vertebrogenic pain. Often it is used for herpetic infections that provoke neuralgia.
When else can I use "Versatis" (patch)? The instructions for the drug have a rather small list of indications. But there are confirmeddata that this remedy is effective in the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis;
- osteoarthritis;
- spondylosis.
At the same time, it perfectly relieves pain, spasms and cramps in muscle tissues. This suggests that the patch has a fairly wide scope.
Methods of application and dosage
The patch is for external use only. It must be glued to the skin in the painful area. The patch should be kept on for a maximum of 12 hours. A maximum of 3 patches can be applied at the same time.
If necessary, it can be cut into several parts, it is better to do this before removing the protective film. The patch should not be applied to damaged or inflamed skin. It should be dry, without herpetic eruptions. The patch should be glued so that it covers the entire painful area. After application, it is removed. The interval between applications should be at least 12 hours. Versatis (Patch) is not intended for reuse.
You need to stick it to the skin immediately, after removing it from the sachet and removing the plastic film from the adhesive layer. If necessary, the hair in the application area can be cut with scissors, but not shaved. This therapy should be carried out within 2-4 weeks. If at the end of this period the therapeutic effect does not appear, the treatment must be stopped. The effectiveness of the treatment should be constantly evaluated to determine the optimal number of patches applied at the same time forcoverage of the entire painful area. It is also necessary to determine the time between applications.
Using the Versatis patch is not recommended for people under the age of 18. There is no data on the safety and efficacy of this patch in patients under 18 years of age.
After gluing, "Versatis" (patch) should be disposed of, as the used product contains an active ingredient. It is also recommended to wash your hands immediately.
After removing from the skin, the patch is folded in half with the adhesive side inward so as not to touch the surface containing the active substance. Patches should not be accessible to children or pets.
Reviews about the drug
Many patients who used the patch as prescribed by a doctor leave only positive reviews about the drug. As a rule, they say that the patch helped to get rid of pain in osteochondrosis and other diseases. Some people write that thanks to this remedy they can continue to work, forgetting about pain in the back, neck and other parts of the body.
Typically, patients who have used this patch as a remedy recommend it, noting that it almost instantly relieves pain and restores previous mobility.
Contraindications to the use of "Versatis"
Reviews "Versatis" (patch) has mostly good. But, despite this, he has contraindications, which include:
- hypersensitivity to substancesdrug;
- myasthenia gravis;
- liver disorders;
- heart block;
- cardiogenic shock;
- sinus node weakness;
- congenital abnormality of the structure of the heart;
- occurrence of epileptiform seizures when using lidocaine.
The drug is used with caution in heart failure and liver pathologies. You should not glue the patch on a sore spot if the integrity of the skin is broken in this area. The tool is not recommended for people over 65 years of age. It is also contraindicated in the general weakness of the patient.
Can pregnant women use this patch? Since the main active ingredient that Versatis contains is lidocaine, the patch during pregnancy and breastfeeding is prescribed only if the expected beneficial effect for the expectant mother outweighs the possible harm to the baby. It is noteworthy that data on the safety of the use of "Versatis" in children under 18 years of age are not available.
Side effects
It is important to note that during the application of the patch, the lidocaine contained in it acts systemically. Therefore, it may cause side effects outside the area of application of the patch. For example, the patch can provoke a decrease in the protection of the immune system, hyperthermia, chills, fever and numbness of the extremities. In some cases, it may cause a short-term burning sensation in the bonded area, as well as itching, contact dermatitis or hives.
Among other side effects, the instructions indicate:
- angioneuroticswelling;
- anaphylactic shock;
- vomiting and nausea;
- change in blood pressure;
- convulsions and disorientation;
- loss of consciousness;
- dizziness and headache;
- drowsy;
- nervous state or excitement of the central nervous system and others.
According to reviews, Versatis pain relief patch has a low risk of overdose.
The substance cimetidine contained in the drug increases the concentration of lidocaine in the blood, and barbiturates reduce its activity. Anticonvulsants may reduce the period of exposure to lidocaine. In combination with novocainamide, the drug can provoke the appearance of hallucinations and excitation of the central nervous system. It is also important to note that Versatis increases the effect of narcotic drugs and sleeping pills on the body, increasing the inhibitory effect on the respiratory system. MAO inhibitors increase the duration of the anesthetic effect.
The Versatis patch, the instructions for use of which are in each package, should be used in accordance with the doctor's recommendations, since an overdose of the main active ingredient, lidocaine, is possible. What happens in case of poisoning? The patient may experience convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma, collapse, heart block, tremor. It is also possible to lower blood pressure, dizziness, weakness and some other signs.
Treatment in this case consists primarily in the abolition of this drug, then the patientcarry out pulmonary resuscitation, oxygen therapy, taking anticholinergics, vasoconstrictor and anticonvulsant drugs.
Analogues of the Versatis patch
Does "Versatis" (patch) have analogues? There is a remedy with a similar effect - this is Olfen. The drug is also available in the form of a patch. Other drug analogues with lidocaine are usually produced in the form of creams (for example, Emla) or solutions for compresses and injections. These include: Artifrin, Luan, Lidokart and Lykain.
Features of "Versatis"
The patch is sold in pharmacies and sold without a doctor's prescription. When using it, it should be borne in mind that it can affect the speed of the reaction. If the activity of the person using such a product is related to concentration, such as driving a car, the patch should be used with caution.
Wash hands after use and avoid eye contact.
Treatment should bring the desired effect within 2-4 weeks, otherwise you should visit a doctor.
After application, the patch is thrown away. Store unused patches out of the reach of children and pets.
Summing up, we can say with confidence that the Versatis patch for osteochondrosis is a fairly safe treatment for the disease. Its negative impact on the body is minimized, and the result can benotice after a relatively short period of time. This is especially true for the analgesic effect. However, all this will only be possible with proper use after a doctor's prescription.
There is a remedy for every kind of pain. The plaster can be an excellent alternative to modern medicines. Such a remedy is available without a prescription, but in any case, it requires a visit to a doctor before use. This will help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment.
