The topical drug Finalgon is one of the most effective for various joint and muscle pathologies. Thanks to a combination of analgesic and irritating substances, it quickly relieves the painful symptoms of sciatica, lumbago, and relieves pain from bruises and sprains. The product has two convenient release forms for ease of application and does not cause adverse systemic reactions in the body.
Composition and dosage forms
Finalgon is produced in plastic or aluminum tubes placed in secondary cardboard packaging. In pharmacies you can buy the drug in the form of a medicated cream and ointment for external use.
- The cream is a thick, homogeneous white mass with a characteristic spicy odor. 1 g of the drug contains a total of 12.5 mg. active substances: nicobaxil and nonivamide. Among the excipients: vegetable fats, paraffin, water, stearin, back and emulsifiers. The product is packaged in tubes weighing 35 g.
- Finalgon ointment contains a high concentration of active ingredients - 29 mg. This is a viscous yellowish or light brown oily paste, the base of which is soft paraffin, stearin, sorbic acid, water and vegetable oil. The weight of one tube of the drug is 20 g.
The synthetic analog of capsaicin nonivamide and the nicotinic acid salt nicoboxil have a joint analgesic and distracting effect, reducing the unpleasant symptoms of inflammation and joint damage.
Types of ointments
After the patient has used the warming ointment, blood flow increases at the site of its application and the metabolic process in muscle and skin tissue is activated. Due to the warming effect, involuntary muscle relaxation and spasm relief occur.
Such processes are most often caused by the effect on skin receptors of venom (bee and snake) included in the drug, as well as capsocins present in hot peppers and methyl salicylates. Maximum effectiveness is observed half an hour after applying the ointment and is due to the presence of the following components in the external product:
- hot pepper;
- salicylic acid;
- bee venom;
- snake poison.
In the modern pharmaceutical industry there are also drugs with combined effects with warming and cooling components at the same time.
A typical representative of combined external agents is Nice-gel
Due to the presence of menthol, the subcutaneous structures expand. At the same time, spinal pain and burning sensation are reduced. Emollient linseed oil allows you to distribute the drug evenly. Nemisulide, which is included in most combination ointments, has an analgesic effect, and capsocin, which is a warming element, has an anti-inflammatory effect, increasing blood flow and locally affecting the lesion.
Mechanism of action of Finalgon
Nonivamide in the composition of the drug, upon contact with the skin, irritates superficial nerve endings and dilates the vessels of the capillary network. Thanks to this, blood flow to the affected area increases, microcirculation is stimulated, and swelling resolves faster. The burning and tingling sensation caused by capsaicin leads to a reduction in pain, spasms, helps restore the mobility of damaged structures, and is distracting in case of severe pain.
Nicoboxil, which is contained in cream and ointment several times more than nonivamide, has a more pronounced vasodilating and warming effect. Its contact with the skin causes a sensation of intense heat, similar to the effect of mustard plasters. Both active substances act on pain prostaglandins, reducing the symptoms of muscle and joint diseases.
The effect of the medicine begins 3-5 minutes after applying it to the skin. The therapeutic effect increases within half an hour and lasts for about 2–4 hours. A feeling of warmth, redness and tingling of the skin develops locally: only in places where the drug comes into contact with the body, without spreading throughout the body.
With repeated applications of Finalgon, the analgesic effect of the drug increases and lasts longer than with the first use, since the sensitivity of the nerve endings to it increases.
Danger of disease
Any osteochondrosis is extremely insidious, as it can develop latently and most patients simply ignore visiting a doctor. At the age of 30-40 years, pain makes itself felt, since the disease is in a late stage, which causes its further progression. Therefore, timely initiation of therapy is of great importance.
In advanced cases, disorders that occur in the cervical spine can lead to disc protrusion, as well as the formation of an intervertebral hernia. When the disc bulges slightly, mechanical compression of the vertebral artery and spinal cord occurs. In the absence of therapeutic measures, osteochondrosis can provoke the development of ischemic stroke, which poses a threat to the patient's life. There are often cases of a disease that leads to partial or complete disability of the patient.
It should be borne in mind that before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis of the disease, otherwise all measures taken may be ineffective, and in some cases even increase negative symptoms. After confirming the diagnosis, first of all, external agents are prescribed (pain-relieving and warming ointments), which penetrate the skin quite well, acting directly on the inflamed area of the body.
Indications
It is recommended to use Finalgon to improve blood circulation, eliminate pain in muscles and joints, and in the complex treatment of damage and inflammation of the musculoskeletal system. Its scope of use includes:
- rheumatic processes;
- arthralgia;
- myalgia;
- consequences of ligamentous injuries;
- neuralgic manifestations;
- sciatica, lumbago;
- symptoms of osteochondrosis;
- sports overload of muscles and joints.
Finalgon helps prevent exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases after prolonged exercise or hypothermia. It restores peripheral blood circulation in vegetative vascular pathologies. Athletes sometimes use it to warm up and improve blood flow to muscles before long workouts. According to reviews, Finalgon cream promotes the resorption of cellulite in the subcutaneous tissue if used in combination with special massage procedures. The irritating effect of the components has the same mechanism as most cosmetic anti-cellulite products.
Warming ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
This group of ointments has a therapeutic effect due to irritation and enhancement of blood circulation processes in the skin tissue.
Most often, the active component of these ointments is nicoboxil, which is included in ointments such as:
- Finalgon;
- Nicoflux;
- Capsicam.
The familiar turpentine ointment, which is applied to the cervical spine, has pronounced warming properties, and then the neck is wrapped in a warm scarf or handkerchief.
Warming ointments are available over-the-counter
In addition, ointments containing bee or snake venom are actively used in the treatment of diseases of the spinal column. Such products have a multicomponent effect.
This category includes such ointments for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine as:
- Viprotox;
- Atrevin;
- Virapin;
- Apisatron;
- Atracin;
- Viprosal, etc.
External products that contain poisons can cause a severe allergic reaction, so before applying it, it is recommended to perform an allergy test by lightly smearing the skin on the wrist with the drug and monitoring the reaction. If after 20-30 minutes no side effects are noted in the form of itching, redness and swelling, you can use the product as directed.
Ointments based on poisons should be used according to the attached instructions
It is important to take into account that the use of warming external preparations significantly speeds up the healing process, however, only a highly qualified specialist can give recommendations on whether it is possible to apply a certain product to the neck area and the rules for its application. If such drugs are used irrationally, the disease may become complicated, which requires longer and more serious treatment.
How to use Finalgon
The drug is applied to clean skin, rubbing thoroughly. For moderate pain, it is recommended to choose a cream. For sharp, unbearable pain, it is more useful to use ointment.
- Squeeze a small amount of the drug onto the palm of your hand, applicator or cotton pad;
- distribute the product over the skin and quickly rub until absorbed, avoiding touching other parts of the body and face;
- if necessary, the application site can be covered with a warm cloth;
- After using Finalgon, hands should be washed thoroughly with detergent;
- the procedure must be repeated 2-3 times a day; it is useful to use the drug at night.
After using Finalgon on open areas of the body, it is not advisable to go out into the bright sun to avoid burns. You should not take water procedures within 2 hours, as otherwise the active substances will be washed off from the skin.
Indications for the use of external agents
The principle of action of warming ointments is due to the irritating effect on nearby tissues, which leads to increased blood flow in the cervical spine.
Warming ointments are prescribed in the following cases:
- to reduce pain symptoms;
- to relieve muscle spasms;
- to accelerate regeneration processes.
However, despite the fairly high effectiveness of warming ointments, they should be used very carefully. For some patients they are highly effective, while others may experience various skin reactions, including allergic ones.
Contraindications and side effects
Finalgon is contraindicated for people under 18 years of age due to insufficient data on its effects on young bodies. Other contraindications:
- allergy to drug components;
- the presence of moles, acne, boils or papillomas in the areas where Finalgon is supposed to be applied;
- skin damage: wounds, abrasions, abrasions.
A burning sensation, warmth, and redness of the skin are normal reactions to the drug. Intolerance may manifest itself after removal of the remaining product: in the form of a rash, swelling, severe itching.
Accidental contact of ointment or cream on mucous membranes, lips or eyes causes severe pain and chemical burns. In this case, it is necessary to rinse the damaged areas with plenty of water.
Symptoms
Everyone could feel the signs of such a disease. If they interfere with your activities, then it would not be superfluous to consult a doctor. You may need to take an x-ray of your spine. The only question is when to see a doctor? This should be done if any of the symptoms are present:
- noise in ears,
- numbness of the tongue,
- morning sensation of “tracking” of the neck,
- pain in the arms, worsening even with light exertion,
- pain in the neck, extending to the ears, eyes and back of the head; may not stop even at night,
- headache starting in the back of the head and spreading to the temples,
- pain in the heart area that is not relieved by nitroglycerin,
- decreased hearing and visual acuity,
- a sharp turn of the head is accompanied by fainting, darkening of the eyes, dizziness,
- tingling, burning, numbness in the legs and arms,
- weakening of muscle strength in the arms.
The cervical region is the most vulnerable part of the spine. This is caused by the structure and weakness of the muscle corset in the neck area. Bottom line: Even a small load can cause vertebral displacement, leading to compression of nerves and blood vessels. The danger of this process is that vessels involved in the blood supply to the brain pass through this area. Therefore, the consequences of such a disease can be the most severe.
