The drug is directly involved in the regeneration of cartilage tissue. The components included in the composition synthesize connective tissue and prevent the destruction of cartilage. It has a clear anti-inflammatory effect, while protecting damaged cartilage from metabolic damage.
As a result of intake, a healthy cartilage matrix is formed. In addition, Theraflex promotes the formation of hyaluron, type II collagen (found in the cartilage of the knees, shoulders and other joints) and proteoglycan (highly glycosylated proteins), thereby inhibiting enzymes that tend to break down cartilage.
Side effects
Although this medicine is usually well tolerated if all instructions are followed, side effects still occur in some cases.
Most of them are associated with the presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances in the drug, and accordingly, symptoms most often appear in the gastrointestinal tract. So, this may be discomfort or pain in the stomach, increased gas formation, loose stool or constipation. In some cases, side effects from the central nervous system occur - dizziness, headache, insomnia or drowsiness.
It is also possible to develop symptoms such as tachycardia, various allergic reactions (redness, itching, urticaria), swelling of the legs and the appearance of pain in the legs.
What doctors and patients think
Doctors quite often prescribe the drug "Teraflex" to their patients. Experts know that the product is indeed very effective because it does its job perfectly. Regular long-term use promotes active restoration of cartilage tissue, as well as an increase in the production of joint fluid. However, in order for the effect of treatment to be truly noticeable, it is recommended to take it in several courses after short breaks.
But patient reviews about Teraflex are quite contradictory. For some, this remedy really helped a lot, while others noticed absolutely no results. First of all, it all depends on the severity of the condition. Of course, serious tissue damage requires a very long recovery, so you should not expect instant results.
Reviews from patients about Teraflex confirm that the product really works. However, you need to be patient and continue treatment
It is very important when using Theraflex tablets to regularly visit a doctor to monitor your health.
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 and side effects
Very often, patients cannot determine which is better: “Arthra” or “Teraflex”
Reviews from doctors note that when choosing a medicine it is very important to take into account contraindications. But these drugs are the same
They should not be taken by children under 15 years of age, women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in case of individual intolerance. It is also not recommended to be treated with these or other chondroprotectors for people with heart or kidney failure, diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma.
In addition, both Arthra and Theraflex can cause the same side effects. Most often these are:
- abdominal pain, flatulence, intestinal upset;
- dermatitis, urticaria;
- swelling, rapid heartbeat;
- headache, dizziness, weakness, insomnia.
More serious side effects, which are rare, may include pain in the legs, hair loss, and angioedema.
Contraindications
Before you start taking it, it is important to familiarize yourself with the contraindications, which include:
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• serious problems with the liver and kidneys;
• bronchial asthma, nasal polyposis, diseases of the paranasal sinuses;
• hemophilia, hyperkalemia and hemorrhagic diathesis.
It is also necessary to take into account individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Persons with heart failure, arterial hypertension, gastritis, enteritis and other diseases can use Teraflex only after consulting a specialist and additional research. It is worth remembering that the drug should not be taken by persons under 15 years of age. Theraflex Advance is contraindicated under 18 years of age.
Special Recommendations
The use of Theraflex may have side effects. If the patient feels that the condition has not improved after using this drug, the drug should be discontinued. After discontinuation of the drug, the side effects disappear.
Theraflex and chronic diseases
Diabetics should take Theraflex with caution. If your doctor has given you permission to use Theraflex, you should always keep your glucose levels under close monitoring. Patients with heart failure, bronchial asthma and kidney problems should be wary of taking this drug and, at the first sign of edema, stop taking it and consult a specialist for discontinuation.
Teraflex and alcohol
Ethyl alcohol increases blood flow in the kidneys, so the active substance will be excreted at an accelerated pace, without having time to have a therapeutic effect.
It is strongly recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol during treatment with the drug. People who have ulcers and erosions in the digestive tract should be especially attentive to this warning.
Theraflex ointment instructions for use
If the tablets generally improve the condition of the musculoskeletal system, then the ointment is intended to provide a local effect. It should be applied to areas of the skin that are located above damaged joints. Apply a small strip of cream to the inflamed area, then leave it on the skin until completely dry. This may take you a few minutes. For the best effect, it is recommended to use the product two to three times a day. The course of treatment will be a couple of months, depending on the patient’s current condition.
To achieve the best results, doctors recommend taking tablets and ointment for external use at the same time.
Some patients try to switch to Teraflex injections, but this brand does not produce them. If for some reason you cannot take pills for joints, then in this case you will have to consult a doctor so that he can select an analogue of the medicine in the form of injections. It is worth repeating once again that self-medication in this case is extremely dangerous.
Instructions for use THERAFLEX® (THERAFLEX®)
Glucosamine
Suction
After oral administration of 14C-labeled glucosamine, it is rapidly and almost completely absorbed, with about 90% of the radioactive tracer being detected in the systemic circulation. The absolute bioavailability of glucosamine in humans after oral administration was 44%, including the first-pass effect. After daily oral administration of glucosamine at a dose of 1500 mg to healthy volunteers under fasting conditions, Cmax in plasma at steady state averaged after 3 hours (Tmax) about 1602 ± 426 ng/ml. At steady state, AUC was 14564±4138 ng×h/ml. It is unknown whether food intake has a significant effect on oral bioavailability. The pharmacokinetics of glucosamine are linear in the dose range of 750-1500 mg with deviation from linearity at a dose of 3000 mg due to lower bioavailability. There are no gender differences in the absorption and bioavailability of glucosamine. The pharmacokinetics of glucosamine were similar in healthy volunteers and patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Distribution
After oral absorption, glucosamine is distributed in various vascular compartments, incl. synovial fluid, with an apparent Vd 37 times higher than the total fluid volume in humans. Glucosamine does not bind to plasma proteins. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that glucosamine is capable of drug interactions when taken together with other drugs that have a high degree of binding to plasma proteins.
Metabolism
The metabolic profile of glucosamine has not been studied, since being an endogenous substance, it is used as a “building material” for the biosynthesis of articular components of cartilage. Glucosamine is primarily metabolized by conversion to hexosamine, independent of the cytochrome system. Does not act as an inhibitor or inducer of human CYP450 isoenzymes, including CYP3A4, 1A2, 2E1, 2C9 and 2D6.00. There were no clinically significant interactions between glucosamine and other drugs that could occur through inhibition and/or induction of human CYP450 isoforms.
Removal
In humans, T1/2 of glucosamine from plasma is 15 hours. After oral administration of 14C-labeled glucosamine, excretion in urine was 10±9%, in feces - 11.3±0.1% of the administered dose. The average excretion of unchanged glucosamine after oral administration in humans is approximately 1% of the administered dose, suggesting that the kidney and liver do not play a significant role in the elimination of glucosamine, its metabolites and/or its degradation products.
Pharmacokinetics in special groups of patients
Pharmacokinetic studies of glucosamine have not been conducted in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. These studies were considered inappropriate due to the insignificant contribution of the liver and kidneys to the metabolism, degradation and excretion of glucosamine. Therefore, given the favorable safety profile and good tolerability of glucosamine, dosage adjustment of the drug is not required in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
The pharmacokinetics of glucosamine have not been studied in children and adolescents.
Pharmacokinetic studies have not been conducted in elderly patients, however, clinical trials of the effectiveness and safety of glucosamine included mainly elderly patients. It has been shown that there is no need for dose adjustment in this category of patients.
Chondroitin sulfate
Pharmacokinetics have not been studied.
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.
What effect does the drug have on the body?
Teraflex tablets stimulate the regeneration of cartilage tissue in a natural way. In addition, they have another very important property - they increase the amount of joint fluid produced, the main function of which is to significantly reduce friction between the joints. An insufficient amount of it can lead to joints wearing out very quickly.
A sufficient amount of joint fluid will also significantly reduce pain. And this will significantly improve a person’s quality of life and make it much more comfortable.
Regular use of Teraflex tablets will significantly reduce the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases eliminate their use altogether.
Clinical pharmacology
Stimulates the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate take part in the synthesis of connective tissue, helping to prevent cartilage destruction and stimulate tissue regeneration. Administration of exogenous glucosamine enhances the production of cartilage matrix and provides nonspecific protection against chemical damage to cartilage. Another possible effect of glucosamine is the protection of damaged cartilage from metabolic destruction caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucocorticosteroids (GCs), as well as its own moderate anti-inflammatory effect.
Chondroitin sulfate serves as an additional substrate for the formation of a healthy cartilage matrix. Stimulates the formation of hyaluronon, the synthesis of proteoglycans and type II collagen, and also protects hyaluronon from enzymatic breakdown (by suppressing the activity of hyaluronidase); maintains the viscosity of synovial fluid, stimulates cartilage repair mechanisms and inhibits the activity of those enzymes that break down cartilage (elastase, hyaluronidase). In the treatment of osteoarthritis, it relieves the symptoms of the disease and reduces the need for NSAIDs.
Form of release of the medicine and order of administration
The release form of Teraflex Advance is tablets or hard opaque gelatin capsules, which consist of a white body and a blue cap. The capsules also have the inscription “TERAFLEX ADVANCE” in blue. The capsules contain a heterogeneous white powder. Available in bottles of 30, 60 and 120 capsules.
One capsule of the drug contains 250 mg of glucosamine sulfate, 200 mg of sodium chondroitin sulfate, 100 mg of ibuprofen, as well as a number of excipients (cellulose, pregelatinized and corn starch, stearic acid, crospovidone, sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide and povidone).
It should be noted that tablets are taken in this way, Teraflex ointment is used somewhat differently, it has its own instructions for use.
Release form and dosage
Teraflex is available in gelatin-coated capsules. Each capsule contains crystals in the form of a white powder, sometimes with small inclusions of other shades. The drug goes on sale packaged in bottles made of dense polyethylene. The bottle can contain from 30 to 200 capsules.
Typically take one capsule three times a day, regardless of meals. After a 3-week period, the dose is reduced to two capsules per day. Capsules should be taken with a sufficient amount of water. The duration of the course is determined by the doctor, most often it ranges from three months to six months.
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.
Effect on the body
Tissue repair stimulator.
Pharmacokinetics
Glucosamine
Absorption. The bioavailability of glucosamine when taken orally is 25% (the “first pass” effect through the liver).
Metabolism. After absorption of an oral dose, radiolabeled glucosamine is initially detected in the plasma and later penetrates into tissues. The highest concentrations are found in the liver, kidneys and articular cartilage. About 30% of the dose taken persists for a long time in the tissues of bones and muscles.
Elimination. It is excreted primarily by the kidneys unchanged; partly through the intestines. The half-life of the drug is 68 hours.
Chondroitin sulfate
Absorption. When chondroitin sulfate is taken orally in a single dose of 0.8 g (or 2 times a day 0.4 g), the plasma concentration increases over 24 hours. The absolute bioavailability is 12%.
Metabolism. Metabolized by desulfurization.
Elimination. Excreted by the kidneys. Half-life 310 min.
Side effects
Capsules have an impressive list of adverse reactions.
Patients often experience flatulence, gastralgic pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and various allergic manifestations. The vast majority of side effects are caused by the presence of ibuprofen. When you stop taking it, all side symptoms go away on their own.
Possible adverse reactions can affect almost any system of the body:
- Heart, blood vessels - pressure increases, heartbeat increases, myocardial failure may develop;
- Hematopoiesis - the occurrence of a predisposition to bleeding, anemia, thrombocytopenia (pathologically low platelet count), bleeding and subcutaneous hemorrhages that occur against the background of low platelet levels;
- Respiratory system – shortness of breath and bronchospasms;
- Urinary excretion - cystitis, nephritis, acute kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome (severe swelling and an increase in the amount of fat and protein in the urine, excessive blood clotting);
- Nervous system abnormalities - headaches and sleep disorders, dizziness and irritability, depression and drowsiness, confusion and hallucinogenic manifestations;
- Digestion - gastralgic pain or dry mouth, nausea and vomiting or heartburn, stomatitis, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, hepatitis, pancreatitis;
- Allergic symptoms - itching, multiple rashes, urticaria, bronchospasms or Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock or allergic rhinitis, pustular rashes, Lyell's syndrome (an acute process of necrosis of skin and mucous tissues, accompanied by numerous toxic lesions of internal organs);
- Sense organs – double and dry eyes, conjunctivitis or swelling of the eyelids, auditory disorders such as poor hearing or extraneous noise in the ears.
Properties
"Teraflex" promotes the restoration of cartilage in the knee structures. Glucosamine and chondroitin show a pronounced effect on osteoarthritis. The drug, among other things, has an anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level and a healing effect on joints.
The active components of "Teraflex" promote the production of external proteoglycan of the endogenous type, as well as internal hyaluronic acid. The catabolic activity of chondrocytes decreases under the influence of the drug, and the effectiveness of enzymes that provoke the destruction of cartilage tissue is inhibited.
Chondroitin is the main element of cartilage tissue. Thanks to this component, the severity of the inflammatory process at the onset of the disease decreases, which slows down the destructive process in cartilage. "Teraflex" relieves pain, increases motor capabilities and joint functions. While taking it, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of painkillers taken.
Reviews of the use of Teraflex confirm this.
Glucosamine provides a chondroprotective effect and helps restore chondroitin tissue. Several studies have concluded that chondroitin promotes the production of substances such as chondrocyte, proteoglycan, glycosaminoglycan and hyaluronic acid.
The maximum concentration of the drug is achieved 3-4 hours after administration. Half-life occurs through urine and feces after 68 hours.
This is what it says in the instructions for use. Reviews about Teraflex are mostly positive.
Medicine Teraflex
Teraflex is a chondroprotector drug. Chondroprotectors are medications that protect articular cartilage.
The drug is prescribed to people whose joints are undergoing or have already undergone degenerative changes as a result of frequent shock or prolonged pressure loads. The risk group includes representatives of many professions, for example, salespeople, athletes, dancers. Wear and tear of cartilage tissue is a natural process, so prevention and maintenance of joint health is always important in principle.
Chondroprotectors, in the stage of exacerbation of joint diseases, are used in combination with other painkillers, the effect of which they greatly enhance.
Composition of Teraflex
Theraflex contains two active ingredients. These are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates. Microcrystalline cellulose with corn starch and other components that are necessary for transporting drug molecules to their destination, improving the absorption and bioavailability of the drug act as auxiliary components. It is necessary to take into account their individual tolerance in advance.
On the pharmacy shelf you can also see the drug “Teraflex Advance”. Where, in addition to the main active ingredients (glucosamine and chondroitin), the composition contains ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Thus, the combined drug Teraflex Advance is designed not only to restore and maintain cartilage tissue, but also to relieve pain and inflammation that develop against the background of lesions of the musculoskeletal system.
Teraflex analogues, list of drugs
Teraflex is considered a rather expensive drug, since it is an original patented product, but it also has generics - cheaper analogues of Teraflex:
- Kondronova,
- honroxide,
- Chondro,
- Arthrocelsus,
- Artron,
- Artra,
- Protekon.
Remember that a doctor’s consultation is required, but if you are going to use an analogue of the already prescribed Theraflex, the instructions for use, price and reviews do not apply to analogues and cannot be used as a guide for treatment. When replacing Teraflex with an analogue, adjustment of the dosage or treatment regimen may be required; do not self-medicate!
Teraflex is an effective combination drug that improves metabolic processes in bone and cartilage tissue, stimulates the repair of articular cartilage and has a small number of side effects and contraindications. It is successfully used to treat osteoarthritis of various origins.
Pharmacological properties of the drug Teraflex
Chondroitin sulfate is a high molecular weight mucopolysaccharide that takes part in the construction of cartilage tissue. Reduces the activity of enzymes that destroy articular cartilage and stimulates its regeneration. In the early stages of the inflammatory process, chondroitin sulfate reduces enzyme activity and thus slows down the degeneration of cartilage tissue. Reduces the severity of pain, improves joint function, reduces the need for NSAIDs in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints. Glucosamine hydrochloride has chondroprotective properties, reduces glucosamine deficiency in the body, and takes part in the biosynthesis of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid. Having an affinity for cartilage tissue, glucosamine hydrochloride initiates the process of sulfur fixation during the synthesis of chondroitinsulfuric acid. Glucosamine hydrochloride selectively acts on articular cartilage, is a specific substrate and stimulator of the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans, inhibits the formation of superoxide radicals and enzymes that cause damage to cartilage tissue (collagenase and phospholipase), prevents disruption of the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans induced by NSAIDs and the destructive effect of glucocorticoids on chondrocytes s . Pharmacokinetics. Absorption: after a single oral dose of the drug at an average therapeutic dose, the maximum concentration of chondroitin sulfate in the blood plasma is achieved after 3-4 hours, in the synovial fluid - after 4-5 hours. Bioavailability is 13%. Excretion is carried out mainly by the kidneys within 24 hours. 90% of glucosamine taken enterally is absorbed in the intestine. Over 25% of the dose taken passes from the blood plasma into the cartilage tissue and synovial membranes of the joints. In the liver, part of the drug is metabolized to form urea, carbon dioxide and water.
A few words about the composition and form of release
The instructions describe the drug "Teraflex" as a very effective remedy. This is a chondroprotector. So, the main active ingredients of this medicine are chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. The composition also includes additional components that allow the product to be better absorbed and also give it the necessary shape. Auxiliary components include magnesium stearate, stearic acid and manganese sulfate.
The drug is available in the form of capsules and also as an ointment for external use. Each capsule has a gelatin shell containing white active powder.
The capsules are placed in a plastic bottle that can hold thirty, sixty or one hundred twenty capsules. It, in turn, is placed in a cardboard package, in which you can also find instructions for Teraflex.
The drug is also available in the form of an ointment intended for external use. It is usually prescribed by doctors to their patients to enhance the effect of treatment with pills. You can buy this product at any pharmacy without having a prescription from your doctor. However, it is still strongly recommended not to self-medicate and consult a specialist before taking the drug.
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.
