Release form and composition
Dosage form of the drug – capsules: size No. 0, gelatin hard transparent; contents – powder with crystalline inclusions of white or white-yellowish color, odorless or with a weak specific odor (30, 60 or 100 pieces in polyethylene bottles, 1 bottle in a cardboard pack).
Active substances in 1 capsule:
- glucosamine hydrochloride – 0.5 g;
- chondroitin sulfate sodium – 0.4 g.
Additional components: manganese sulfate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate.
How it works
The action of the capsules is combined and is determined by the main active ingredients: chondroitin, glucosamine and ibuprofen.
- Glucosamine has a beneficial effect on the synthesis of the main cartilaginous components (hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, etc.), intra-articular fluid and joint membranes;
- Chondroitin promotes the rapid formation of new cartilage tissue, blocks the formation of enzyme substances that destroy cartilage, reduces the intensity of clinical manifestations, and allows you to reduce the dosage of non-steroidal drugs used. In addition, this component returns the joints to their former mobility and protects them from destruction;
- Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, can relieve pain and has antipyretic properties. And the complex chondroitin-glucosamine effect helps to increase the analgesic effect.
Due to the presence of an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal substance, the capsules provide rapid relief from pain. The analgesic effect occurs almost immediately after taking the medicine. Although there is also a negative aspect to this.
Chondroprotectors must be used for a long time, since they begin to have a therapeutic effect only when they accumulate in the body in the required concentration.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
The drug is a stimulator of cartilage tissue regeneration. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are involved in the synthesis of connective tissue, activating its regeneration and preventing the processes of cartilage destruction. The intake of exogenous glucosamine into the body enhances the production of cartilage matrix and is a factor of nonspecific protection against cartilage damage of chemical origin. Glucosamine is also thought to protect damaged cartilage from metabolic damage caused by corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and also has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect of its own.
Chondroitin sulfate is an additional substrate that promotes the formation of a healthy cartilage matrix. It enhances the production of type II collagen and proteoglycans, the synthesis of hyaluronon, and also prevents the enzymatic destruction of hyaluronon by inhibiting the activity of hyaluronidase, inhibits the activity of enzymes involved in the breakdown of cartilage (hyaluronidase, elastase), and stimulates cartilage repair mechanisms. In patients with osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate reduces the severity of symptoms of the disease and reduces the need for NSAIDs.
Pharmacokinetics
Glucosamine
When taken orally, the bioavailability of glucosamine is 25%, and it is characterized by a “first pass” effect through the liver. After absorption of a dose of the drug taken orally, the radioactively labeled substance is first detected in the blood plasma, after which it penetrates into the tissues. Its maximum concentrations are found in articular cartilage, kidneys and liver. Approximately 30% of the administered dose persists in muscle and bone tissues for a long time.
Glucosamine is excreted mainly in the urine unchanged, and also partially in the feces. The half-life is 68 hours.
Chondroitin sulfate
With a single oral dose of 0.8 g of chondroitin sulfate (or 0.4 g 2 times a day), its concentration in the blood plasma increases within 24 hours. Absolute bioavailability reaches 12%.
The metabolism of chondroitin sulfate is carried out through desulfuration. It is excreted through the kidneys and has a half-life of 310 minutes.
Are there analogues
Based on the action of “Teraflex”, it is possible to determine what analogues of this medicine exist. In fact, the modern pharmaceutical market offers many substitutes for this drug. However, not all of them are effective. Under no circumstances should you chase cheap tablets and ointments, as their composition will be very dubious
Most often, doctors recommend their patients to pay attention to joint medications such as:
- "Arthrocin";
- "Doppelherz Glucosamine + Chondroitin";
- "Arthra";
- "Kondronova".
All of the drugs listed above are available in the form of tablets intended for oral administration.
Pay also attention to the ointment “Sustavit”. It has a similar composition and has a similar effect on the body.
Do not self-medicate under any circumstances. Start taking medications to treat joints only after they have been prescribed to you by your doctor; do not risk your health. Analogues of Teraflex tablets exist, and in huge quantities, but it is recommended to buy them only after visiting an experienced specialist.
Side effects
Teraflex usually does not cause side effects.
In some cases, the following undesirable reactions from certain systems and organs are noted:
- Gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract): flatulence, constipation (in some patients, on the contrary, diarrhea), pain in the epigastric region;
- nervous system: drowsiness or insomnia, headache, dizziness;
- CVS (cardiovascular system): peripheral edema, tachycardia;
- other: leg pain, allergic reactions.
Crops for which fertilizers are used
"Terraflex" is a universal effective means for feeding almost all garden plants. Effective for the following crops:
- broccoli;
- beet;
- barley;
- onion;
- melons;
- cucumbers;
- pepper;
- tomatoes;
- carrot;
- peas;
- potato;
- eggplant;
- cabbage.
Reviews about Teraflex
Numerous reviews about Teraflex found on the Internet are contradictory. Some patients speak enthusiastically about the drug, others consider it absolutely useless. Many patients report that the course of treatment with Teraflex allowed them to increase joint mobility and get rid of pain and crunching in them. However, even those who feel significantly better after taking the drug complain about its high cost.
Experts' reviews of Teraflex are ambiguous (there are both positive and negative) and depend on their belief in the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of joints and belief in the digestibility of these substances, which are of exogenous origin. In general, the effect of the drug is more pronounced in cases where the course of therapy lasts at least 6 months, and the severity of the disease is not considered too severe. The advantages of Theraflex include the possibility of use both as monotherapy and in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs and other treatment methods.
special instructions
Clinical studies have shown that this chondroprotector is well tolerated by patients, and the probability of developing side effects of Theraflex is 2%
But there are several categories of patients who should be treated with this medicine with caution.
Patients suffering from:
- hypertension;
- heart failure;
- dysfunction of the endocrine system;
- tuberculosis;
- ischemic disease;
- ulcerative colitis;
- gastritis.
If these pathologies are present, treatment should be carried out in consultation with the attending physician. Since only a specialist is able to determine the degree of health risk, depending on individual characteristics.
Contraindications
Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of the use of chondroprotectors in the treatment of joint diseases, but have identified some features in which their use is limited. Absolute contraindications to the use of Teraflex are:
- childhood - active substances have a detrimental effect on the developing organism; the instructions indicate an age limit of 15 years, but doctors advise not to use Teraflex until 18 years old - the age of completion of puberty and normalization of hormonal levels;
- perinatal and lactation period - the drug can cause the development of fetal defects and even lead to miscarriage during pregnancy;
- old age (over 65 years) - there is a risk of developing cross-reactions due to slow metabolism and the presence of numerous diseases;
- tendency to allergies and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- bleeding tendency: hemophilia, hemorrhagic syndromes, hypocoagulation;
- acute diseases of the stomach and intestines (ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease);
- diabetes;
- renal and liver failure, since active substances are processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys;
- developing hyperkalemia;
- previous surgical treatment, in particular coronary artery bypass grafting.
The use of capsules in the presence of such contraindications can be harmful to health. There are no direct contraindications to drinking alcohol during the treatment course, but its use is not recommended.
The use of Teraflex cream is contraindicated in the presence of even minor damage to the epidermis in the painful area.
Cross reactions
Teraflex has good compatibility with glucocorticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The active substances of the drug inhibit the effect of penicillin antibiotics and increase the absorption of tetracycline. This must be taken into account when treating infectious diseases simultaneously. Teraflex also helps thin the blood and lowers the clotting factor, which is why its use is prohibited if you are prone to bleeding.
Teraflex Advance capsules contain ibuprofen, so there is no need to take additional painkillers.
Instructions
The use of various forms of the drug "Teraflex" has its own nuances:
- "Teraflex" - instructions for use recommend a course of taking these capsules in the presence of chronic degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. First you need to take 3 tablets per day for 3 weeks, and then for six months, 2 capsules per day. For better absorption, the drug is used after meals;
- "Teraflex Advance" - prescribed for exacerbation of joint diseases. You should drink the same way - 3 weeks, 3 capsules, and then 3-6 months, 2 tablets. The duration of the entire course is determined by the speed of onset of positive dynamics. If necessary, treatment is repeated after some time, but the duration of subsequent courses should be less than the first;
- “Teraflex Hondrocream Forte” - apply a thin layer of cream to the sore joint and rub into the skin. It is recommended to use the ointment as needed, but up to twice a day and no longer than 14 days in a row.
The pain syndrome is most quickly relieved by applying the ointment to the knee and elbow joints, since the active substances easily penetrate the cartilage. When treating a hip joint, the pain goes away within a few hours.
Doctors advise using all forms of release of the drug "Teraflex" according to the following scheme. In case of exacerbation, you need to take Advance capsules for 3 weeks, and if the pain goes away faster, then this course can be shortened. In addition, local application of cream is recommended. After pain relief, you need to take regular Teraflex capsules for a course of 3–6 months to consolidate the effect obtained and protect the cartilage tissue. With this method of administration, the benefits of treatment will be much greater.
If side effects occur, the dose of the drug may be reduced, and if there is no positive dynamics, another chondroprotector is selected for the adult patient.
As for the treatment of gout with Teraflex, there are no direct indications for the use of this drug, since this disease is associated with impaired excretion of uric acid from the body. Accordingly, the patient needs to use drugs that normalize metabolic processes. A chondroprotector will only help relieve inflammation and pain, but in this case it would be more rational to use conventional analgesics.
conclusions
Take care of yourself now
Pay attention to your lifestyle and diet. Most likely, your musculoskeletal system simply lacks the necessary microelements
The drug "Teraflex" contains many elements necessary for joints, restoring damaged tissue, and also increasing the amount of necessary joint fluid.
Don't forget about your health. Take care and love yourself, and then your body will begin to take care of you. Start eating right, exercise, walk more in the fresh air and take full responsibility for your health, and then you will not have problems with it.
