Hondoprotective preparations. Chondroprotectors: classification, application, reviews, price

All pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are socially significant ailments. After all, they often become sources of permanent or temporary disability. Such diseases are not only accompanied by pain, but also significantly impair the quality of life of people. In this regard, scientists are constantly developing new effective drugs for the treatment of bones and joints. Recently, there have appeared hondoprotective drugs. These medications cause many different questions, both in patients and doctors.

Characteristics of the drug group

What are hondoprotective drugs? These are medicines that help restore cartilaginous tissue. At the same time, they feed it and slow down the processes of destruction.

However, such drugs have their own characteristics:

1. The effect of these drugs on the cartilage tissue is slow. The result can be noticeable after six months, and sometimes even after a longer period. This is why chondroprotective drugs are considered long-acting drugs.
2. It is important to start treatment in time. Since with various ailments that affect cartilage tissues, chondroprotectors can only help in the initial stages, while the processes of destruction are still reversible. In other words, if the cartilage is able to recover. If it is completely destroyed, these medications, unfortunately, are useless.

Mechanism of action

To better understand how the drugs restoring the cartilaginous tissue work, let us consider the anatomical structure of the joint. In the joint, the surface of the bones is lined with a smooth and moist layer. Cells of cartilage produce a special synovial fluid. It is a kind of lubricant. In addition, synovial fluid is an excellent nutrient for cartilage tissue. To lubricate it, you need to move the joint. With active operation of the articulation of the liquid, more is produced.

When the cartilage is destroyed, the bone tissue is exposed. Its surface is rough and rough. The opposite cartilage when it comes into contact with such a bone also begins to be damaged. This defect disrupts the production of synovial fluid. The joint does not receive a sufficient amount of lubricant, and the cartilage does not have the necessary nutrition. The result of such a violation is the gradual loss of the articulation of its functions. In this case, a slow dying off of the cartilaginous tissue is observed.

Chondroprotectors can interfere with the pathological process. They eliminate painful discomfort, relieve the inflammatory process. These drugs contain substances that produce the human body. Such components determine the process of the formation of a lubricant.

Classification of chondroprotectors

Like other drugs, this group is divided into several features. Widely accepted in medical practice is the classification, based on the components that are included in the hondoprotective drugs. The list of such a separation is as follows:

1. Drugs based on chondroitin sulfate. This ingredient is the main building material for joints. It prevents further destruction of cartilaginous tissues, stimulates the production of joint fluid, reduces the intensity of pain discomfort. The basic medicines: "Khondrolon", "Khondroksid", "Arthron", "Mukosat".
2. Preparations, which include cartilage and bone marrow of animals. These are medicines "Rumalon", "Alflutop".
3. Mucopolysaccharides. The main representative is the preparation "Arteparon".
4. Medicines based on glucosamine. This is a natural compound that promotes the restoration of the functioning of the cartilaginous tissue. The substance perfectly inhibits the degenerative processes. This group includes drugs "Don", "Arthron Flex".
5. Means of complex composition. The most popular medicines are: "Arthron Complex", "Teraflex".
6. Preparations with anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties. Such an action is possessed by the medication "Artrodar".

In addition to the above classification, the chondoprotective agents differ by generation. List of such groups:

1. First generation. The medications are Rumalon, Alflutop.
2. Means of the second generation. Medicines containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine.
3. Third generation. These are the drugs that are based on hydrochloride in combination with chondroitin sulfate.

Drugs differ in the way they are used:

1. Means for reception inside. To this category belong the drugs "Artra", "Structum", "Formula-C", "Teraflex", "Piascladin". Favorable effect of these drugs have only after 3 months. About persistent relief, you can talk only after six months. Means are well tolerated by patients. And in most cases, there are no side effects.
2. Injectable medications. These drugs are "Alflutop", "Adgelon", "Noltreks", "Hondrolon". This group allows to achieve the therapeutic effect much faster than when using drugs inside. However, the result is not so long. Therefore, every six months, it is recommended to repeat the course of treatment.
3. Deputy intraarticular fluid. These drugs are based on hyaluronic acid. This group includes preparations Sinocrom, Synvisc, Ostenil, and Fermatron. The aforementioned means are injected into the large joints directly. They are able to replace the intra-articular fluid, the development of which, with many ailments, is significantly reduced. Treatment consists of 3-5 injections. In most cases, one course is sufficient. Repeat therapy is allowed only after six months.

Indications for use and contraindications

In any disease that is associated with the destruction of cartilage, hondoprotective drugs are prescribed. Indications for the use of drugs are the following conditions and ailments:

• Arthrosis (gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis of small joints);
• Osteochondrosis;
• Arthritis, periarthritis (inflammatory ailments of joints, periarticular tissues);
• Dystrophic changes in cartilage;
• Spondylosis (bony growths on vertebrae);
• Injuries of the joints;
• Parodontosis;
• Rehabilitation after surgery on the joints.

The main contraindications for taking medications are:

• pregnancy;
• Lactation period;
• Allergic reactions to drug components.

Children chondroprotectors can take only after the appointment of a doctor. Most drugs are strictly contraindicated for children under 15 years of age. But sometimes such funds, given the severity of the disease, can be applied on an individual basis.

The following preparations are allowed for admission to children: "Piascladin" in capsules (herbal remedy, which includes avocado and soybean oil), "Dona" in powder. Homeopathic chondroprotectors can be given to babies from the age of three.

Medications for osteochondrosis

With this pathology, chondroprotectors are widely used. In fairness, it should be noted that some physicians consider the effectiveness of such drugs unproven.

Appointed chondoprotective drugs for osteochondrosis are as follows:

• "Structum".
• Artra.
• "Teraflex".
• The Don.

Such drugs contribute to the restoration of damaged cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral joints. They perfectly reduce pain discomfort.

It is important to start taking these drugs at the initial stages of the disease. Since in the case of a deep violation of the cartilage, they are useless.

However, the patient should understand that only the chondoprotective drugs for osteochondrosis can not cure pathology. They are introduced into therapy with other medicines. This combination allows to increase the effectiveness of not only chondroprotectors, but also drug treatment. The necessary funds, as well as the scheme of their admission, are appointed by the doctor for each patient individually. The course of therapy is long enough - from 1 to 2 months.

Spinal hernia

The above pathology is a very common disease, which in some cases can lead to untreated osteochondrosis or trauma. Whether it is necessary to apply hondoprotective preparations at a hernia of a backbone? This issue remains open today. Since the results of studies on the effectiveness of chondroprotectors in this pathology are quite contradictory.

This group does not belong to the basic drugs that are recommended for the above pathology. In most cases, they are prescribed only for relief of inflammatory symptoms. Usually, the means for ingestion are recommended. The average course of treatment is 6 months.

The patient should understand that the main factor that provokes a hernia is a violation of blood supply. Chondroprotective drugs will be ineffective if the patient does not perform physical exercises aimed at developing muscle tissue that adjoins the area of hernia localization.

The choice of the drug depends on the characteristics of the pathology, the medicine is prescribed exclusively by the doctor. The patient can be recommended funds, based on chondroitin sulfate. Such drugs trigger reparative processes in the cartilage. But they will be effective only in case of good blood supply of the altered intervertebral discs. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

• Mukosat.
• "Chondroxide".
• "Structum".
• The Hondrolon.
• Honsurid.
• "Khondramed".

May be recommended by a doctor means, which is based on the substance glucosamine. These drugs inhibit degenerative processes in the cartilaginous tissues. These include drugs:

• Aminoarthrin.
• The Don.
• "Glucosamine sulfate".
• "Elbona".
• Pharmaskin TGK.

For some patients, the combination of the above ingredients will be the best option. In this case, the doctor prescribes drugs:

• Artra.
• "Teraflex".
• "Kondronov."
• "Chondrosamine."

Herniated disc - this is the result of the disease. Chondroprotectors are mainly aimed at protecting cartilaginous tissues from destruction. And, unfortunately, these drugs can not affect the restoration of the disc, i.e., its integrity. Therefore, it is difficult to speak about the effectiveness of these categories of drugs with a hernia.

Application for arthrosis

A favorable result from the use of chondroprotectors is possible only at the initial stages of the ailments. With neglected diseases, unfortunately, no medicine can help.

Effective preparations for cartilage tissue:

• The Don.
• "KONDRONOV".
• «Arthron flex».

They stimulate the development of intraarticular fluid, contribute to the improvement of lubricating properties.

The use of chondroprotectors in the complex therapy of coxarthrosis is especially effective. With such an ailment, the following drugs are included in the therapy:

• "Don" (capsules, powder, ampoules).
• "Elbona" (powder, capsules, ampoules).
• "Arton flex" (tablets).
• "Mukosat" (tablets, ampoules).
• "Arthron chondrex" (tablets).
• "Struktrum" (capsules).
• "Artra chondroitin" (capsules).
• "Artradol" (ampoules).
• "Chondroxide" (ointment).
• "Chondroitin akos" (ointment is applied).

Complex hondoprotective preparations for joints containing chondroitin and glucosamine are quite popular. These are the following medicines:

• Rumalon (ampoules).
• Aflutop (ampoules).
• "Teraflex" (capsules).
• "Hondroflex" (capsules).
• "Artra" (tablets).
• "Movex comfort" (tablets).
• "Osteel" (tablets).
• Protekon (tablets).

In addition, the treatment includes intraarticular insertion under the X-ray observation of the following chondroprotectors:

• The Fermatron.
• Ostenil.
• "Synvisc".
• "Sinocrome."

To the patient received a stable therapeutic effect with coxarthrosis, you need to go through 2-4 courses. Given the interruptions, this therapy lasts approximately 1.5 years.

Treatment of arthritis

With this pathology the most successful is the combination of chondroprotectors with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Most often the doctor prescribes the following medicines:

• "Chondroxide".
• The Don.
• "Structum".
• «Arthron flex».

Complex therapy helps reduce puffiness, reduce pain discomfort, and remove joint stiffness. When large joints are affected (especially in the case of the knee) intraarticular injections of chondroprotective drugs are included in the treatment.

The medicine "Teraflex"

The agent belongs to the number of complex preparations, since its composition includes glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate. This medicine helps to restore cartilage. In addition, the drug protects them from further destruction. The drug has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect. Provides recovery of viscosity of synovial fluid preparation "Teraflex". The use of the drug is effective for fighting osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis.

Contraindicated drug pregnant, breastfeeding women. Patients with severe renal failure do not receive this medication. It is forbidden to take the drug for children under 15 years old. It is extremely cautious to use a medicine for patients with diagnoses: diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma.

During admission, side effects can occur, such as:

• Constipation, flatulence, diarrhea;
• Insomnia, headache;
• Edema;
• allergy;
• Increased heart rate.

The cost of this medication (in capsules) averages 1230 rubles.

Quite a variety of reviews about the drug. Some patients express enthusiastic opinions. Others talk about a waste of money. Many consumers testify that the remedy relieved them of pain and a characteristic crunch in the joints. Patients note that the mobility of damaged joints has increased significantly.

However, they consider the main disadvantage to be the high cost of the necessary course of therapy.

The drug "Hondrolon"

The price of this medication is also high. The cost of one package (ampoule) is approximately 1200 rubles.

The active substance of the medicine is "chondroitin sulfate". The drug is the main part of proteoglycans, which together with collagen enter the cartilage matrix. The product provides chondroprotektsiyu. It perfectly stimulates the synthesis of proteoglycans. It promotes inhibition of enzymatic activity, which is the source of destruction of cartilage. The drug improves metabolism in damaged tissue. Participates in the formation of the basis of cartilage and bone.

Perfectly relieve inflammation and pain pricks "Hondrolon". The instruction positions the medicine as a fine, restoring cartilaginous tissue, a remedy. In addition, it reduces pain and helps to increase the mobility of the joints. The maximum concentration of the drug occurs 1 hour after the injection into the muscle.

Contraindicated remedy for:

• Pregnancy;
• Thrombophlebitis;
• Tendency to bleeding;
• Lactation period;
• Increased sensitivity.

Side effects include: allergic reactions, the occurrence of hemorrhages at the site of the injection.

Opinions about the effectiveness of the drug vary widely. Many patients note that conducting a second course of treatment is very helpful in the fight against ailments. As a rule, these are patients with unopened stages of diseases. The main disadvantage of such consumers consider the high cost of the drug "Hondrolon". The price of the drug is really considerable, and for 1 course you need about 40 ampoules. However, patients argue that such treatment allows you to forget about joint pain for 1,5-2 years.

Other patients talk about the insufficient effect of these injections. As a rule, these are patients who are diagnosed with severe joint damage.

The drug "Alflutop"

This product is a natural chondroprotector. Because the composition of the medicine includes extracts of marine fish. It is intended to improve the metabolism in cartilaginous tissues, as indicated in the instruction for use, intended for the preparation "Alflutop". The injections provide an anti-inflammatory effect.

This tool is assigned when:

• Osteochondrosis;
• Arthrosis;
• Periarthritis;
• Spondylosis;
• Injuries of the joints;
• Parodontosis.

Its use after joint operations has been effective.

Patients should be instructed before using Alflutop to receive the instructions for use. The injections are contraindicated to people whose age is under 18 years old. There may be side effects. This is usually a muscle and joint pain.

According to the doctor's prescription, the drug can be simultaneously administered intramuscularly and inside the joint.

In most cases, patients note the effectiveness of the drug "Alflutop". Application (reviews of doctors and patients almost coincide) allows to stabilize the patient's condition, to achieve significant relief. However, the medicine does not give a perfect cure for joint diseases.

The cost of packaging the drug (10 ampoules) varies from 1200 rubles to 1755.

The medicine "Elbon"

This product is available in 2 forms: in the form of powder (for internal administration) and solution for injection.

With many ailments, the drug "Elbon" can be prescribed. The injections are prescribed to patients who are diagnosed with:

• Osteochondrosis;
• arthritis;
• osteoporosis;
• Spondylarthrosis.

Effective use of this tool after a fracture of the spine. The drug is aimed at restoring cartilaginous tissues, improving the metabolism in them. It helps to reduce the destructive processes in the joints. In addition, the drug causes the restoration of hyaluronic acid in the joint fluid. This process helps to normalize the movement, reduce pain and stiffness.

The drug has contraindications. The agent is not assigned to patients, with the following factors:

• Allergy to the components of the drug;
• Age less than 12 years;
• Pregnancy, feeding;
• epilepsy;
• Renal and hepatic impairment;
• bronchial asthma;
• Heart failure (acute);

Sometimes there may be side effects during the reception of the drug "Elbon". Analogues of this medication are "Yunium", "Farmaskin", "Sustilak".