Pain in the joints and muscles can disturb not only the elderly, but also quite young people. To eliminate such sensations, various drugs are used. The most effective of them is capsaicin ointment. Instructions, analogues, reviews, indications of this tool are presented in the materials of this article.
Composition, packaging
It's easy to guess what ingredients capsaicin ointment contains. The main ingredient in this product is capsaicin. It is known to be a chemically resistant substance.
Also, the composition of the drug in question includes: ethylene glycol salicylate, ethylnicotinate and other elements.
Capsaicin ointment is available in aluminum tubes, which are placed in cardboard boxes.
Features of the drug
How does capsaicin ointment work? The instruction says that such a remedy has vasodilating, warming and analgesic properties. In addition, the drug, based on capsaicin, can have a pronounced distraction and anti-inflammatory effect.
The active ingredients of this medication affect prostaglandins and substance P, which is found in peripheral nerve fibers. Exactlythis effect explains the high effectiveness of this remedy.
Due to the ability of hydroxyethyl salicylate to act on the structure of the epithelium, the medication in question penetrates deeply into tissues.
The therapeutic effect of the drug in question develops quite quickly. It lasts for 60 minutes. At the same time, capsaicin ointment relieves pain syndromes, reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process, and also improves joint mobility in people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Characteristics of capsaicin
What is capsaicin ointment? The reviews say that the effectiveness of this medicine is completely due to its composition. Capsaicin is called vanillamide 8-methyl-6-nonenoic acid. As mentioned above, this is a chemically stable substance that has the form of a crystalline powder. This element does not have a pronounced color, but it has a rather sharp taste.
Powder begins to melt at 65 degrees. One milligram of capsaicin in its pure form, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause a chemical burn comparable to exposure to a hot iron.
Like many alkaloids, this substance is poorly soluble in water, but readily soluble in chloroform, various alcohols, acetone, caustic alkalis and benzene.
Indications for the use of a local remedy
Capsaicin ointment, the composition of which was described above, is actively used to eliminate pain syndromesin people suffering from joint diseases, including arthrosis, arthritis and spondyloarthrosis (including spondylarthrosis accompanied by neuralgia).
It should also be noted that this remedy is prescribed for patients with myalgia of various origins and during the recovery of patients with tendovaginitis.
Capsaicin ointment is often used by athletes during the warm-up process as an aid.
Contraindications
Capsaicin ointment is contraindicated in case of increased individual sensitivity to its components. Also, this drug can not be used with an active inflammatory process. In addition, this medicine is not prescribed to the fairer sex during pregnancy and lactation.
Capsaicin ointment is prohibited for use by minors due to the lack of reliable data on the efficacy and safety of the drug in this category of patients.
Instructions for use
Capsaicin ointment, the analogues of which are listed below, is used only externally. According to the instructions, before using this remedy, the skin areas should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, and then dried with a towel.
The drug is applied to the problem area with a thin layer 2-3 times a day. For best results, rub it into the skin with the pads of your fingers.
If this medication was recommended to an athlete to warm up the muscles before exercise, then the ointment should be used with a strip about 4see
In diseases of the joints, this medicine should be used for the first three days once a day. Subsequently, the drug is applied to the skin 2 times (preferably in the morning and before bedtime).
Side effects
The remedy under consideration is well tolerated by patients. In some cases, the use of this medication may cause allergic reactions that appear at the site of application.
Overdose and drug interactions
No cases of overdose with this drug have been reported.
According to experts, this drug enhances the absorption of other drugs intended for external use. Therefore, it is forbidden to combine it with other medicines.
Special Recommendations
When capsaicin gets on the mucous membranes, there is a strong burning sensation, pain, tearing and mucus separation. Also, in some cases, this substance can cause spasm of the larynx and bronchi, which leads to a short-term loss of speech.
If, after applying the ointment to the skin, the patient has severe irritation, then the drug is immediately removed with vegetable oils, soda, vinegar, honey or milk.
Similar products and price
Capsaicin ointment in its pure form is not sold in pharmacies. However, there are many other drugs based on capsaicin. These include: "Nicoflex", "Espol", pepper plaster, "Kapsicam" and others. These medicines have similar properties. They are used for localpain relief and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
As for the cost, it can be different for different drugs. For example, Nikoflex ointment is sold for 180 rubles, and Kapsikam - for 150-170 rubles.
Local facility reviews
Unfortunately, many modern people suffer from various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is not always advisable to use oral NSAIDs for pain relief. Moreover, such drugs have a large number of side effects and contraindications. Therefore, for pain in the joints and muscles, doctors recommend using local remedies.
Capsaicin ointment is quite hard to find in pharmacies. Therefore, doctors prescribe drugs based on capsaicin to patients. According to consumer reviews, such funds quickly and effectively stop pain syndromes. Moreover, they rarely cause side effects and have practically no serious contraindications. Another advantage of this drug is that it can be purchased at a very reasonable price.
