Dexalgin

For diseases of the musculoskeletal system, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are actively used, a typical representative of which is Dexalgin.

Dexalgin is a medicine that belongs to the derivatives of propionic acid, with the active ingredient dexketoprofen. The drug effectively eliminates joint and muscle pain, including rheumatic pain.

[ 1 ]

Indications Dexalgin

Dexalgin is used for symptomatic relief of minor or moderate pain:

• for muscle pain;
• for joint pain;
• for painful sensations during menstruation in women;
• for toothache.

Release form

Dexalgin is a white film-coated tablet with a dividing line on both sides.

The tablets are sealed in a blister, 10 pieces per blister.

The cardboard packaging may contain one, three or five blister plates, as well as medical instructions for using the medication.

Dexalgin is classified as a medicine that is sold in pharmacies only with a doctor’s prescription.

Pharmacodynamics

The active ingredient of the drug Dexalgin is a salt of propionic acid, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. The category of Dexalgin is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The action of Dexalgin is explained by a decrease in the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. For example, the transformation of arachidonic acid into cyclic endoperoxides pgg² and pgh² is blocked, which promote the formation of prostaglandins pge¹, pge², pgf²ª, pgd², prostacyclin pgi² and thromboxanes txa² and txb².

Among other things, blocking the production of prostaglandins affects other factors of the inflammatory process, such as kinins. This may affect the main properties of the drug. The inhibitory ability of the active ingredient in relation to cyclogenase isoenzymes was discovered during studies conducted with animals and humans. During the experiments, it was proven that active dexketoprofen has a pronounced analgesic property, which manifests itself half an hour after taking the drug and lasts for about 5 hours.

Pharmacokinetics

After internal use of Dexalgin tablets, the maximum content of the drug in the blood is detected in about half an hour. The distribution and half-life of the active ingredient can be 35 minutes and 2 hours, respectively. The connection with plasma proteins is high, about 99%.

The active ingredient dexketoprofen is excreted through the urinary system. The bioavailability of the drug does not change depending on the frequency of Dexalgin administration. The drug does not accumulate in the tissues and fluids of the body.

Taking the tablets does not depend on food intake, however, the presence of food masses in the stomach reduces the maximum concentration of the drug and also slows down the rate of its absorption.

[ 2 ]

Dosing and administration

Dexalgin is prescribed taking into account the intensity and severity of pain. The standard amount of the drug is half a tablet every 4-6 hours, or a whole tablet every 8 hours. The average daily amount of the drug is no more than three tablets of 25 mg.

Dexalgin should not be used for a long time - it is a symptomatic drug that is taken only to relieve the main pain symptom.

For best results, Dexalgin is taken half an hour before meals.

Elderly and senile patients are not recommended to take more than 2 Dexalgin tablets per day.

The dosage of the drug for children has not been determined, since it is not recommended for children to take it.

[ 4 ]

Use Dexalgin during pregnancy

Dexalgin is not used in the third trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

In the first and second trimesters, the use of the drug is allowed, but only in case of urgent need. In this case, the dosage should be extremely low, and it should be prescribed only by a medical specialist.

Blocking the production of prostaglandins can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the unborn child. According to studies, at any stage of pregnancy, Dexalgin can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, as well as heart defects, gastroschisis in the fetus.

When planning a pregnancy, it is also recommended to take extremely low doses of the drug, or to stop taking it altogether.

In the third trimester, while taking Dexalgin, the following deviations may occur:

• cardiovascular intoxication;
• renal dysfunction.

In the later stages, a woman may experience increased bleeding duration, even if the minimum dosage of the drug was used. In addition, sometimes there is inhibition of the contractile function of the uterus, which threatens to delay labor.

There is no information on the penetration of Dexalgin into breast milk.

Contraindications

Dexalgin is not prescribed:

• in case of hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug, as well as to any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
• in the acute phase of peptic ulcer disease, with suspected gastric bleeding, with chronic dyspepsia;
• for various types of bleeding and increased bleeding syndrome;
• for nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease;
• for bronchial asthma;
• in case of decompensated cardiac insufficiency;
• in case of insufficient renal function (if creatinine clearance is less than 50 ml per minute);
• in case of liver function insufficiency;
• for various disorders of blood clotting processes;
• in the third trimester of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects Dexalgin

During treatment with Dexalgin, certain side effects may occur:

• decrease in the number of platelets in the blood;
• allergic reactions, Quincke's edema;
• loss of appetite;
• sleep disturbances, anxiety;
• headaches, numbness of the limbs, syncope;
• blurred vision;
• vertigo, tinnitus;
• increased heart rate;
• increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• bronchospasm;
• dyspepsia, abdominal pain, increased gas formation, thirst, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the pancreas;
• hepatitis;
• skin rash, hyperhidrosis;
• back pain;
• nephrotic syndrome;
• menstrual cycle disorders, prostate dysfunction;
• feeling of fatigue, myasthenia, general feeling of discomfort.

[ 3 ]

Overdose

When taking high doses of Dexalgin, side effects are expected to increase. Digestive disorders and nervous system disorders may be observed.

In case of accidental ingestion of a large number of Dexalgin tablets, symptomatic treatment is carried out. Activated carbon intake is mandatory.

In severe cases, hemodialysis may be used.

Interactions with other drugs

Undesirable drug combinations:

• Dexalgin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease;
• Dexalgin and anticoagulants – increases the risk of bleeding;
• Dexalgin and corticosteroid drugs - increases the risk of damage to the digestive tract;
• Dexalgin and lithium-based medications – toxic effects on the kidneys are observed;
• Dexalgin and high doses of methotrexate - toxic effects on the circulatory system were detected;
• Dexalgin and sulfonamides – increased intoxication of the body.

Combinations of Dexalgin with diuretics, aminoglycosides, pentoxifylline, zidovudine, sulfonylurea-based drugs, β-blockers, cyclosporine, thrombolytics, probenecid, cardiac glycosides, quinolines and mifepristone are used with caution and under medical supervision.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Storage conditions

Dexalgin can be stored at temperatures up to +30°C. The drug should be stored in its original packaging, out of the reach of children.

Shelf life

Dexalgin is stored for no more than 2 years.

[ 7 ]