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Leg pain pills
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Leg pain pills that will really help eliminate this symptom should be prescribed by a doctor - after determining the cause of the disease.
After all, this clinical sign is characteristic of many pathologies, in particular, for articular arthrosis and osteoarthrosis (with pain in the hip and knee joints), herniated discs (pulling pain along the entire leg), sciatica (pain in the area of the back of the thigh), etc.
Only after examination and determination of an accurate diagnosis can one decide which specific pills for leg pain should be taken.
[ Indications for the use of tablets for leg pain
Among the indications for the use of tablets for leg pain, experts note a wide range of diseases. These are all types and localizations of arthrosis, rheumatoid and reactive arthritis, infectious nonspecific polyarthritis, arthritis in Paget's and Reiter's disease, deforming osteoarthrosis (damage to articular cartilage), osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue), gout, heel spurs, Bechterew's disease (ankylosing spondylitis), rheumatic diseases of extra-articular soft tissues (muscle inflammation), neuralgia, osteomalacia (softening of bones due to weak mineralization of their tissues). Leg pain of varying intensity is suffered from varicose veins and atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities. And, of course, these are traumatic injuries of the legs accompanied by pain - fractures, sprains or ligament ruptures.
Pharmacodynamics of tablets for leg pain
The pharmacodynamics of leg pain pills related to NSAIDs - acetic acid derivatives (Diclofenac, Indomethacin) is based on the ability of their active substances to slow down the production of a special enzyme - cyclooxygenase. And this, in turn, reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are formed during the metabolism of arachidonic acid. These lipid mediators cause a response - pain and fever - in any inflammatory process in the body.
By reducing the concentration of prostaglandins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs not only relieve leg pain, but also suppress inflammation, helping to eliminate soft tissue swelling and joint swelling.
Meloxicam (and its generics) is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but from the oxicam group. However, its mechanism of action is similar to Diclofenac and Indomethacin.
The pharmacodynamics of the tablets for leg pain Naproxen, which is a derivative of propionic acid, is based on the inhibition of the synthesis of the enzyme lipoxygenase, which is a catalyst for the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular, arachidonic. Thus, the production of intermediate components of prostaglandins synthesized from this acid is significantly slowed down. The end result is the same: a sharp decrease in the activity of inflammation mediators, which gives an analgesic effect. In addition, the movement of leukocytes slows down, so Naproxen has a strong anti-inflammatory property.
Pharmacokinetics of Leg Pain Tablets
After taking a pill for leg pain (Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam or Naproxen), the drugs are quickly absorbed in the stomach and enter the blood plasma. Almost all of the above drugs have a plasma protein binding rate of 90%.
The maximum concentration in blood plasma is achieved: after 1-2 hours for Diclofenac, Indomethacin; after 5-6 hours - for Meloxicam - after 5-6 hours. The percentage of absolute bioavailability of the drugs is 99% and 90%, respectively.
Diclofenac and Indomethacin pass through the BBB and placenta, and also enter the synovial fluid and breast milk. Metabolism occurs in the liver with the formation of phenolic metabolites. Excretion from the body is through the kidneys (up to 60%) and intestines (35%).
Meloxicam is broken down by liver enzymes and excreted by the kidneys and intestines (half-life is about 20 hours).
Pharmacokinetics of tablets for leg pain Naproxen is characterized by the highest percentage of binding to plasma proteins - 99%, after 2-4 hours its maximum concentration in plasma is reached. However, the absolute bioavailability of the drug is lower - 50%. Naproxen is excreted mainly through the kidneys (with urine), the half-life is from 12 to 15 hours.
Names of pills for leg pain
As a rule, drug therapy for leg pain uses drugs from the pharmacological group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have a powerful analgesic effect regardless of the etiology and localization of the pain.
Here are the names of the pills for leg pain that are most often prescribed to patients with the diseases listed above. These are Diclofenac (generics - Diclac, Voltaren, Difen, Naklof, Naklofen, Ortofen, Revmavek, Flotak), Indomethacin (trade names: Indobene, Indovis, Indocollyre, Indotard, Indocid, Metindol), Naproxen (synonyms - Noritis, Nalixan, Anaprox, Apraks, Floginas, Inaprol, Naxen, Proxen, Pronaxen, Artagen, Flanaks, Naprobene, Daprox, etc.), Meloxicam (synonyms - Artrozan, Mirloks, Meloks, Melbek, Movalis).
Method of administration and dosage
For leg pain, Diclofenac is taken orally, half or a whole tablet three times a day (before meals); the maximum daily dose is 150 mg (3 tablets).
Method of administration and dosage of the drug Indomethacin: orally 25 mg 2-3 times a day (after meals). In case of very severe pain, it is permissible to increase the dose to 50 mg three times a day; the maximum daily dose is 200 mg, and in case of a long course of treatment - 75 mg per day.
During the day, tablets for leg pain Meloxicam (at a dosage of 7.5 mg) are taken once - during meals, with a glass of water. For pain associated with an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, doctors allow an increase in the dose to 15 mg (once a day).
Naproxen should be taken orally during meals with water. Tablets of this drug are available in various dosages: 0.125; 0.25; 0.375; 0.5; 0.75 and 1 g). In case of acute pain, it is recommended to take 0.5-0.75 g - twice a day (the maximum daily dose should not exceed 1.75 g). In case of an attack of gout, you can take 825 mg of Naproxen for the first time, but then it is necessary to reduce the dose to 275 mg, which should be taken every 8 hours.
Contraindications to the use of tablets for leg pain
The list of contraindications for the use of tablets for leg pain includes the pharmacological agents under consideration.
Thus, Diclofenac is contraindicated for use in gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer; history of attacks of bronchial asthma, urticaria and acute rhinitis during treatment with aspirin ("aspirin triad"), as well as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This drug should not be taken by children under 6 years of age and pregnant women. Diclofenac should be prescribed with caution in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, bronchial asthma, high blood pressure and heart failure.
Indomethacin has contraindications similar to those of Diclofenac.
Contraindications for the drug Meloxicam include: gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal and other bleeding, severe renal, hepatic or cardiac failure, pregnancy, childhood (under 14 years).
Naproxen is not prescribed for the same pathologies and conditions as the listed drugs, in addition, it is not used for diseases associated with suppression of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow.
The use of pills for leg pain during pregnancy - Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, Naproxen, etc. - is strictly contraindicated, since non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) negatively affect the cardiovascular system of the fetus, causing premature closure of the arterial duct. This leads to right ventricular heart failure in newborns.
Side effects of leg pain pills
The most common side effects of the leg pain pills Diclofenac and Indomethacin are: headache, dizziness, tinnitus, pain and cramps in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, palpitations, chest pain, increased blood pressure.
Side effects that may accompany taking Meloxicam tablets include skin itching and rashes, swelling, headache and loss of consciousness, decreased visual acuity, discomfort or pain in the epigastrium, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, and anemia.
In addition to the listed side effects, the use of Naproxen can cause weakness, increased drowsiness and lethargy, hearing loss, liver or kidney dysfunction, the formation of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, as well as thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia.
Interactions of leg pain pills with other drugs
Since the drugs in question are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in this case the interaction of tablets for leg pain with other drugs primarily concerns the reduction of the diuretic effect of diuretics.
The combination of taking leg pain pills and paracetamol or cyclosporine threatens toxic kidney damage, and hormonal drugs (glucocorticoids) – stomach bleeding.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for any pain can enhance: the effect of insulin to reduce blood glucose levels; the effect of indirect anticoagulants (increasing the risk of bleeding); side effects of glucocorticoids and estrogens. Medicines that reduce hematopoiesis, when taken simultaneously with pills for leg pain from the NSAID group, increase their side effects, which can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells (anemia) and white blood cells (leukopenia).
In addition, NSAIDs reduce the effectiveness of drugs used in the treatment of arterial hypertension and hormonal contraceptives.
Overdose of the above medications causes severe headache and dizziness, nausea and vomiting, convulsions and sensory disturbances (paresthesia). In case of overdose, it is necessary to wash the stomach and take activated charcoal.
The optimal storage conditions for leg pain pills are a place protected from direct light and room temperature. The expiration date of the drugs is indicated by their manufacturers on the packaging.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Leg pain pills" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.