In the article, we will consider instructions for use and reviews for Struktum.
At present, the problem of lesions of the musculoskeletal system has become especially acute, which, unfortunately, appears both in the elderly and in the young. Therefore, new drugs are being developed to eliminate such diseases. One of these tools is "Struktum". This drug is one of the chondroprotectors, it allows you to stop the destruction processes in the body and restore cartilage tissue. The composition of the product includes the active component chondroitin sulfate, which is the structural basis of human bone tissue. The article will describe how to be treated with Structum correctly, what side effects and contraindications it has.
Issue form
According to the instructions for use, Structum is available in three medicinal varieties: blue capsules in the amount of 250 milligrams (Structum 250) and 500 milligrams (Structum 500), in the form of coated tabletsshell, as well as injection solution.
Means action
Tablets "Structum" are included in the list of chondroprotectors - such medicines that protect joints and cartilage from destruction. This effect is due to the presence of sodium s alt in the product. It must be said that chondroitin is almost the basis of cartilage tissue, and therefore it is very important for maintaining them in a normal state.
Another effect of the drug is the stimulation and activation of the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which is responsible for the normal viscosity of the synovial fluid (this fluid also has a direct effect on cartilage). Among other things, chondroitin also has an antiseptic effect that helps eliminate tissue inflammation.
According to the instructions for use for "Struktum", the components of the drug prevent changes in cartilage tissue, leading to its degeneration and decay. In addition, articular mobility improves, over time, the pain syndrome is almost completely stopped. The effect is also on the bone tissue. For example, it is strengthened and regenerated due to the accumulation of calcium here.
Instructions for use indicates that "Structum" is absorbed in the human intestine at a high rate and penetrates into the blood after about four hours, into cartilage tissue - after five hours. Just in the latter, it begins to accumulate (collect) to the required amount. Positive changes in the state of the joints and cartilage become noticeable in the period from three and a halfup to four weeks. The action of the drug also does not stop after the completion of the course of treatment - it continues to function for another six months, after which it is necessary to repeat the therapy.
Indications for use
As the instructions for use indicate, Structum can help with some musculoskeletal pathologies. Main occasions:
- arthrosis (including primary);
- intervertebral osteochondrosis;
- articular osteochondrosis;
- osteoarthritis of the spine;
- osteoarthritis of large joints;
- other articular diseases, as well as degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine.
Negative manifestations, contraindications
What else does the instructions for use for Structum tablets tell us?
The list of contraindications for the drug includes the following conditions and characteristics of patients:
- thrombophlebitis and phlebitis;
- lactation;
- pregnancy;
- under the age of fifteen (data on the use of the drug by patients at this age are not available);
- various bleeding and tendency to them;
- high sensitivity to certain substances and components of the drug.
Regarding side effects, it must be said that they appear very rarely, however, they can still occur. Those taking the drug most often have digestive defects: flatulence, bouts of nausea, constipation, or, conversely, diarrhea. If a person is prone tovarious kinds of allergic reactions, he may experience slight swelling or rash. In all of these situations, you need to stop taking the drug.
How to use
Instructions for use to "Structum" must be strictly observed. In what dosages and how should the drug be taken? The patient should be told about this by his doctor after a thorough examination. However, doctors often advise taking the drug one capsule, that is, five hundred milligrams, twice a day. Its use is in no way dependent on meal times.
Swallow the capsule whole, do not chew, just drink water. In some situations, in the first three weeks of treatment, the patient should take 1500 mg per day (it is better to divide the intake into two times and take two capsules once: 500 mg and 250 mg at once). The daily dosage after that can be reduced to 500. Instructions for use for "Structum" confirm this.
The treatment course can last from three to six months, depending on the patient's condition and the specific pathology. The therapy can be repeated after 3-4 months. For taking pills, all the recommendations are the same. When using injections, the finished solution is administered at 0.1 mg intramuscularly at a time. Injections are made every other day. If the drug is well tolerated, the specialist can double the dosage. The treatment course usually includes twenty-five to thirty-five injections. Therapy is repeated after six months.
So it says in the instructions forapplication to injections "Struktum".
Drug effectiveness
When should the drug be effective? The active substance is well absorbed by the intestines, it enters the blood after 3-4 hours. All components reach their main goal, namely synovial and cartilaginous fluid, in five hours. In these places, the drug will just accumulate. Taking into account this cumulative effect, it was found that changes are observed only after 3-4 weeks (maybe later in some cases) after the start of the treatment course. At the same time, the effect remains for a long time. In the next 5-7 months, the components of the composition will remain in the cartilage, after which they will gradually be removed from there (and the treatment course is then repeated again).
Interaction with drugs
The drug "Struktum" with simultaneous use can enhance the effect of antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytic drugs and anticoagulants. No other interaction was found. But it is always necessary to inform the specialist about taking other medications so that he prescribes the correct amount of Structum.
Analogues
In the instructions for use, analogues of "Structum" are not indicated.
The first group of substitutes in the form of the active ingredient contains chondroitin sulfate. These are drugs such as Artrocels, Struknotin, Mukosat, Chondroitin, Chondroxide, Chondrolon and others.
The second group in the composition has in addition to chondroitinglucosamine sulfate, which also has a positive effect on the joints. These funds include "Artra", "Teraflex" and others.
In the third group of analogues, natural ingredients are concentrates of cartilage tissue of marine animals and fish, as well as extracts of soybeans. It includes drugs: "Rumalon", "Piaskledin" and "Alflutop".
Reviews about the drug
Reviews of the drug "Struktum" do not differ dramatically from reviews of other medicines with an identical composition. All the forums that contain patient reviews about this medicine say that chondroitin-based medicines are most effective as part of complex therapy, including procedures to increase blood supply, as well as therapeutic exercises.
Doctors speak of the greater effectiveness of the drug in the form of an injection compared to other types of drugs (capsules and tablets). Reviews about Struktum are contradictory: there are both positive and negative. For some it fits, for some it doesn't. That is why the medicine cannot be taken on its own. Before treatment, you need to consult a doctor.
Patients ask: "Which is better Structum or Artra?". If you compare their composition, you can understand that Artra has a more complex effect, since it additionally contains glucosamine, which protects cartilage tissue from various damages.
We reviewed the instructions for use, reviews and analogues for Struktum.
