Teraflex

Teraflex is a medicine used for lesions of the musculoskeletal system. The drug stimulates the processes of cartilaginous tissue regeneration. Its active elements (glucosamine with chondroitin) are effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level, stimulates the binding of internal proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, and at the same time weakens the catabolic effect of chondrocytes, slowing down the activity of individual enzymes that destroy cartilage (including elastase with collagenase, phospholipase-A2 and proteoglycinase with N-acetylglycosaminidase). In addition, the drug slows down the formation of other components that can damage cartilage tissue - for example, superoxide radicals; it also slows down the activity of lysosome enzymes.

Indications Teraflex

It is used in the following conditions:

• osteoarthritis of primary or secondary nature;
• osteochondrosis;
• periarthritis of the shoulder-scapular nature;
• fractures (to speed up the process of bone callus formation).

Release form

The therapeutic element is released in capsules – 30, 60 or 120 pieces in a bottle.

Pharmacodynamics

Chondroitin is one of the main components of cartilage. It reduces inflammation activity at an early stage, thereby slowing down the degeneration of cartilage tissue. It helps relieve pain, improves joint function and reduces the need for NSAIDs in case of osteoarthritis affecting the hip and knee joints.

The human body itself contains glucosamine, which has a chondroprotective effect. In vitro and in vivo testing have shown that glucosamine hydrochloride stimulates chondrocytic binding of proteoglycans to glycosaminoglycans, as well as synoviocyte binding of hyaluronic acid.

Pharmacokinetics

With a single use of a therapeutic dose, the plasma Cmax of chondroitin sulfate is recorded after 3-4 hours. The bioavailability values of the oral dose are 12%.

In the blood, chondroitin with its depolymerized derivative is 85% synthesized with individual intraplasmic proteins.

At least 90% of the chondroitin portion is first metabolized by lysosomal phosphatase and then depolymerized by hyaluronidase, as well as β-glucuronidase with β-N-acetylhexosaminidase in the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Chondroitin with its depolymerized derivative is excreted mainly through the kidneys. The half-life is 5-15 hours.

When taken orally, glucosamine hydrochloride is almost completely and rapidly absorbed in the intestine. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of glucosamine are linear with a standard dose of 1.5 g once a day. Higher doses do not cause a proportional increase in the Cmax level of glucosamine.

More than 25% of the consumed dose of glucosamine moves from the blood plasma into the cartilage tissue, as well as the synovial membrane of the joint.

During the first intrahepatic passage, more than 70% of the substance undergoes metabolism with the formation of carbon dioxide, urea, and water.

Excretion of the unchanged component occurs mainly through the kidneys and urine, and some is excreted in feces. The half-life is 68 hours.

Dosing and administration

The medication should be taken orally with plain water. One capsule should be taken three times a day. The therapeutic cycle lasts at least two months. In general, it is usually 3-6 months. If necessary, the treatment course can be repeated with a 3-month interval.

Teraflex cannot be used to relieve acute pain. Symptoms (especially pain) may not be alleviated even after several weeks of therapy, and sometimes even more. If there is no effect after 2-3 months of therapy, you should consult a doctor.

The patient should also consult a doctor in cases where the symptoms of the disease intensify with the start of using the drug.

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Use Teraflex during pregnancy

Due to the fact that there is no information regarding the safety of use and effectiveness of the drug during lactation or pregnancy, it is prohibited to prescribe it during these periods.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• thrombophlebitis;
• severe intolerance to the components of the medication (allergy symptoms);
• tendency to bleeding;
• decompensated renal or hepatic dysfunction;
• use in people with seafood allergies.

Side effects Teraflex

Side effects include:

• disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract: dyspepsia, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhea;
• immune disorders: signs of allergy, including urticaria, dermatitis, rashes (also maculopapular), erythema, itching, Quincke's edema and simple swelling. If an allergy occurs, it is necessary to stop the therapy and consult a doctor;
• problems with the nervous system function: headaches, insomnia or drowsiness, dizziness, and severe fatigue;
• other symptoms: there is data on the development of visual disturbances, extrasystoles, and alopecia in the case of the introduction of 1.2 g of chondroitin sulfate, but such cases are isolated.

Interactions with other drugs

The drug can be combined with GCS, and also with NSAIDs.

Chondroitin sulfate can potentiate the effect of anticoagulants, which is why it is necessary to more closely monitor blood coagulation values during their combined use. Some sources report that in the case of a combination of warfarin and glucosamine, the INR indicator may increase, and bleeding may also occur. Because of this, when using the drugs together, it is necessary to monitor blood coagulation indicators.

The therapeutic effectiveness of Teraflex is enhanced if the patient takes magnesium with selenium and zinc, ascorbic acid, manganese salts, copper and retinol.

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Storage conditions

Teraflex should be stored in a place that is out of the reach of small children. Temperature indicators - no more than 25 ° C.

Shelf life

Teraflex can be used for a period of 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Application for children

Because experience with use in pediatrics is limited, Teraflex is not prescribed to children.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Afenak, Cefenap, Zelid plus with Rebon, Movex, and Teraflex advance.

Reviews

Teraflex receives rather mixed reviews - for some it really helped to cope with disorders, but there are also comments that say that the drug had no effect. The high cost of the drug is also highlighted as a negative.