In the life of every person there are unpleasant cases when a fall or blow turns into an acute form and causes discomfort, pain and temporary disability. In the modern world, there are many medications that help eliminate or alleviate the course of the disease, among them there are tablets, ointments and many other types. The most popular type of medicine can be called anesthetic gel . This is explained by the fact that it is absorbed and acts almost instantly, compared to ointment.
Since the drug market today has a wide range of products, the choice for the buyer becomes more difficult. In this article we will focus on the most popular of them - Diclofenac and Dolobene.
Comparison of the effectiveness of Bystrumgeli and Doloben
Doloben is more effective than Bystrumgeli - this means that the ability of the medicinal substance to provide the maximum possible effect is different.
For example, if the therapeutic effect of Doloben is more pronounced, then with Bystrumgeli it is impossible to achieve this effect even in large doses.
Also, the speed of therapy is an indicator of the speed of therapeutic action; Doloben and Bystrumgeli are also different, as is bioavailability - the amount of a medicinal substance reaching the place of its action in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the less it will be lost during absorption and use by the body.
General properties of the drugs in question
Dolobene and Diclofenac, despite their different prices and composition, have one common difference from other products in this category. Most often they are used for injuries sustained during sports (muscle sprains, ligament damage). If, as a result of a strong fall, bruises and bruises occur, then these remedies will also help to quickly cure the consequences of the blow.
Ease of use and the ability to purchase these products without a doctor’s recommendation is another reason for their wide popularity among the population.
The tubes in which the gels are produced have a small volume ( from 30 to 50 grams ). This allows you to use creams before their expiration date, thereby saving money.
Comparison of safety of Bystrumgeli and Dolobenya
The safety of a drug includes many factors.
At the same time, in Bystrumgeli it is quite similar to Doloben. It is important where the drug is metabolized: drugs are excreted from the body either unchanged or in the form of products of their biochemical transformations. Metabolism occurs spontaneously, but most often involves major organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain and others. When assessing metabolism in Bystrumgeli, as well as in Doloben, we look at which organ is the metabolizing organ and how critical the effect on it is.
The risk-benefit ratio is when the prescription of a drug is undesirable, but justified under certain conditions and circumstances, with the obligatory observance of caution in use. At the same time, Bystrumgeli has no risks when used, just like Doloben.
Also, when calculating safety, it is taken into account whether only allergic reactions occur or possible dysfunction of the main organs. In other matters, as well as the reversibility of the consequences of using Bystrumgeli and Dolobenya.
How does a cream differ from an ointment, and an ointment from a gel?
The difference between cream, gel, balm and ointment is as follows:
- Cream is a dosage form based on oil and water. Creamy substances are easily absorbed, but are not able to penetrate deep into the tissue. They can be applied to surfaces that are constantly wet. In most cases, they are completely absorbed and do not stain clothes. You can rub the cream in and go about your business.
- The gel does not contain fats and oils, its acid-base indicators are close to those of the skin. It spreads easily over the skin, is quickly absorbed, and does not clog pores. Sometimes, after it dries, an airtight film remains (for example, Diclofenac). The structure of gel-like preparations can be liquid (for example, Troxevasin) or viscous. When stored in the refrigerator, they partially thicken, but when heated to room temperature, they restore their properties. Like creams, gels are convenient to use during the day.
- Ointment is a dosage form based on fats. It is absorbed more slowly than gel-like and creamy preparations, but it lasts longer. Penetrates deeply. It is applied to dry surfaces, scars, seals. Lubricated areas can be covered with bandages. The remaining fatty base usually has to be removed manually, so you need to apply ointment-like substances under clothing carefully. Some of them have a specific smell (for example, Vishnevsky ointment). The thickest ointments are called pastes. They contain up to 20% powdery substances. Most often they have drying properties.
- Balm is a medicinal or cosmetic product that contains no water at all. When you need to clarify what the difference is between a balm and a cream, this difference is given first. The absence of water allows balms to retain their properties for a long time. This is due to the fact that harmful bacteria multiply in water, and there is no natural habitat for them here.
Figure 2 - Which is better - gel or cream, depends on the patient’s age and the condition of his skin.
The main difference between cream and ointment is the percentage of fat content. Something in between these substances in texture is called liniment. This dosage form contains fats and oils. If there is more fat, then the liniment resembles an ointment, if there is oil, it resembles a cream (for example, Synthomycin liniment). At body temperature, liniments begin to melt, so they are applied a little at a time so that excess medicine does not drip onto clothes and the floor.
Comparison of addiction in Bystrumgeli and Doloben
Like safety, addiction also involves many factors that must be considered when evaluating a drug.
So, the totality of the values of such parameters as “o syndrome” in Bystrumgeli is quite similar to the similar values in Doloben. Withdrawal syndrome is a pathological condition that occurs after the cessation of intake of addictive or dependent substances into the body. And resistance is understood as initial immunity to a drug; in this it differs from addiction, when immunity to a drug develops over a certain period of time. The presence of resistance can only be stated if an attempt has been made to increase the dose of the drug to the maximum possible. At the same time, in Bystrumgeli the meaning of the “syndrome” is quite small, however, the same as in Doloben.
Gel Diclofenac
The composition contains many excipients (propylene glycol, ethanol, lavender oil, etc.), but sodium diclofenac is considered to be active. That is why the product has such a name.
Organoleptic properties:
- Color – white with a slight admixture of beige. The consistency is a light, loose gel.
- The smell is at first sharp, alcoholic, but within a few minutes it dissipates and does not smell of anything, or leaves shades of lavender
After application, do not immediately put on clothes, as the gel is not absorbed immediately . If you apply a large amount, it will roll off and not be absorbed. It does not have a warming effect, which is good for use on skin prone to allergies.
Comparison of side effects of Bystrumgeli and Dolobenya
Side effects or adverse events are any adverse medical event that occurs in a subject after administration of a drug.
Bystrumgeli's level of adverse events is almost the same as Doloben's. They both have few side effects. This implies that the frequency of their occurrence is low, that is, the indicator of how many cases of an undesirable effect of treatment are possible and registered is low. The undesirable effect on the body, the strength of influence and the toxic effect of Bystrumgeli are similar to Doloben: how quickly the body recovers after taking it and whether it recovers at all.
Gel Dolobene
The composition is represented by substances such as: heparin, dexpanthenol and dimethyl sulfoxide (abbreviated DMSO). Thanks to the latter, Dolobene is so highly effective, since the mentioned substance is absorbed into the applied area and reduces swelling and pain. DMSO penetrates the skin rather than remaining on the surface, which provides a quick effect.
Organoleptic properties:
- Color – transparent.
- The consistency is gel-like, does not spread, and holds its shape.
- Smell - with notes of menthol, forest herbs and a pine or fir shade.
- The feeling after application is pleasant. There is no sticky effect left. Does not stain clothes or skin. There is no burning or tingling sensation.
Is it possible to replace cream-type medications with ointment-type ones and vice versa?
What is better, ointment or cream, is decided by the doctor in each specific case. When it is not possible to obtain the required dosage form, the ointment can be replaced with cream. Replacement is possible in cases where the dosage of the active substance in the creamy medicine is the same or less than in the ointment. If the dosage is less, the cream will need to be applied more often (the number of additional procedures must be calculated in advance).
You cannot use ointment instead of cream. It is absorbed much deeper, so it can affect the “wrong” areas (for example, with a strong inflammatory process).
Figure 3 - When replacing ointment with cream, pay attention to the concentration of the active substance.
Do not use different dosage forms at the same time. When mixed, their components may not provide the same effect as desired. If your treatment plan includes different medications and you are deciding whether to apply an ointment or a gel first, start with the gel-like substance. When it is completely absorbed and its expiration date has passed (usually 2-4 hours), clean the treated surface from the film as much as possible, then lubricate it with ointment. This is also true for creams that should be used before ointments.
Gel or ointment – which is better in emergency situations?
The gel is absorbed much faster than ointment. Therefore, in a situation where you urgently need to relieve pain, for example, a joint, it acts faster. If you need to provide a longer analgesic effect, relieve inflammation, ointment is preferable.
In addition to the duration of action, the list of ways in which an ointment differs from a gel includes the ability to adhere to the surfaces being treated. Gel-like medications adhere better to wet, wet surfaces, from which ointment-like medications simply slide off.
In general, ointment can penetrate deeper than gel. However, some gel preparations (for example, Traumeel) contain additives that ensure deep penetration of the main active ingredient. Then the difference between gel, cream and ointment is insignificant.
Figure 5 - Gels and creams act faster, ointments last longer.
Gel or cream – which is better to use for cosmetic purposes?
Cosmetics for hands, face and body are also made in the form of gels and creams.
- Cosmetic gel consists of 75−85% water. The remaining 15−25% are microparticles with the ability to retain moisture and other special properties. The high water content allows gel-like products to be easily absorbed into the skin, perfectly moisturize it, and avoid the formation of an unpleasant greasy film. They are recommended for young, combination, oily and problematic skin.
- Creams contain much less water than gel products. But they contain a lot of oils that provide different effects: nutrition, whitening, smoothing out fine wrinkles, etc. Creamy products are suitable for mature, dry and combination skin. They often leave an oily sheen and may not be completely absorbed. It is dangerous to apply them to problem skin - fats can clog pores and provoke even greater inflammation.
Figure 6 - Problem skin loves gel, while normal skin loves cream.
The main difference between gel and ointment and cream is the time of use: gel-like substances are best used in the morning and afternoon, and cream-like substances are best used before bed. There are day creams, which are similar in structure to a gel, and night creams, which are more like an ointment.
Gel and ointment - difference in shelf life
Expiration dates are usually given for sealed medications. As a rule, manufacturers write how long a substance can be stored unopened. In general, ointment-based preparations last longer than gel-based preparations because the fats they contain prevent drying out.
Figure 4 - Store medications as recommended by the manufacturer.
When storing ointment, pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations. In the refrigerator, the medicine can harden, and at a crucial moment you simply cannot get it out of the tube.
Gel-like preparations are more convenient to use than ointment-like preparations with a similar effect, and therefore cost a little more.
