Artra
Artra: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Special instructions
- 8. Analogs
- 9. Terms and conditions of storage
- 10. Reviews
- 11. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Artra
ATX code: M09AX
Active ingredient: Glucosamine hydrochloride (Glucosamine hydrochloride) Chondroitin sodium sulfate (Chondroitin sulfate)
Manufacturer: Unipharm, Inc. (USA)
Description and photo update: 2019-05-08
Prices in pharmacies: from 1218 rubles.
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Artra is a synthetic drug used for long-term treatment of osteoarthritis. The drug promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue, relieves the symptoms of the disease, and has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect.
Release form and composition
The drug is produced in the form of oval white interspersed tablets with a specific odor (in high density polyethylene vials of 30, 60, 100 and 120 tablets).
Active substances contained in 1 tablet:
- Glucosamine hydrochloride - 500 mg;
- Chondroitin sodium sulfate - 500 mg
Excipients: sodium croscarmellose, microcrystalline cellulose, disubstituted calcium sulfate, magnesium stearate and stearic acid.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Artra belongs to a group of drugs that stimulate the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Its active components take part in the synthesis of connective tissue, preventing the destruction of cartilage and ensuring the restoration of its tissues.
The intake of exogenous glucosamine contributes to the increased production of cartilage matrix (intercellular substance). Also, this substance is a non-specific protection of cartilage from chemical damage.
Glucosamine, contained in the preparation in the form of a sulfate salt, is the initial link in the synthesis of hexosamine, and the sulfate anion is required for the production of glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides) contained in connective tissue.
Glucosamine protects damaged cartilage tissue from metabolic destruction caused by the intake of GCS / NSAIDs. It also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
Chondroitin, whether absorbed intact or as metabolites, is an additional substrate that allows the formation of a healthy cartilage matrix. Also this active substance:
- enhances the production of proteoglycans, type II collagen and hyaluronan;
- maintains the necessary viscosity of the synovium;
- inhibits the activity of free radicals, preventing the breakdown of hyaluronan under the influence of enzymes and protecting it from the aggressive action of free radicals;
- inhibits the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage (elastase and hyaluronidase);
- increases the intensity of the cartilage tissue repair process.
In patients with osteoarthritis, the severity of symptoms of the disease decreases and the need for the use of NSAIDs decreases.
When taken orally, the bioavailability of glucosamine is 25% (first pass effect through the liver). The highest concentrations of the substance are recorded in the liver, kidneys and articular cartilage.
Approximately 1/3 of the dose taken is accumulated in the bone tissue and muscles. Most of the glucosamine is excreted unchanged through the kidneys, and the remainder is excreted in the feces. The half-life is 68 hours.
When taken orally 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate, divided into 1 or 2 doses, the content of the substance in the plasma increases sharply within 1 day. The absolute bioavailability indicator is 12%.
Approximately 1/10 of the dose taken is absorbed in the form of high molecular weight derivatives, approximately 20% - in the form of low molecular weight derivatives.
The drug is metabolized primarily by desulfurization and excreted through the kidneys. The half-life is 5 hours 10 minutes.
Indications for use
Arthra is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine and peripheral joints.
Contraindications
- Severe renal dysfunction;
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the tablets.
It is not recommended to take the drug during lactation and during pregnancy.
Due to the lack of clinical trials, the drug is not prescribed for children under 15 years of age.
Instructions for use of Arthra: method and dosage
Artra tablets are taken for a long time, a stable therapeutic effect is achieved after six months of using the drug.
During the first three weeks of treatment, children over 15 years old and adults take 1 tablet of the drug twice a day, after which it is necessary to reduce the frequency of doses to once a day for the entire subsequent course of treatment.
Side effects
According to the instructions, Artra can cause the following side effects:
- Dizziness;
- Diarrhea or constipation;
- Epigastric pain;
- Allergic reactions.
special instructions
In the treatment of osteoarthritis, Arthra can be used simultaneously with glucocorticosteroids.
It should also be borne in mind that the drug increases the absorption of tetracyclines, reduces the effect of semi-synthetic penicillins, enhances the effect of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.
Analogs
The structural analogue of Artra is the drug Tazan.
Storage conditions and periods
Store at a temperature of 10-30 ° C.
The shelf life is 5 years.
Reviews about Arthra
Reviews about Arthra are conflicting. Some patients claim that already 3 months after the start of therapy, they noticed a significant improvement in their condition, while others note unpleasant side effects or a complete lack of treatment results at a fairly high cost.
The peculiarity of the drug is that the active substances included in its composition are natural structural elements of cartilage tissue and intra-articular fluid. The effect of taking it is due to the replenishment of the lack of these substances in the body.
It is noted that Arthra is physiological for the body and does not affect the effectiveness of treatment and the pharmacokinetics of other drugs (with the exception of tetracyclines and semi-synthetic penicillins). Also, the scheme of use provides for taking pills at any time convenient for the patient.
Unlike most analogues, the drug is registered as a drug, and not as a dietary supplement. This is of great importance, since the requirements for clinical trials of the quality of drugs, their safety and efficacy are much higher than in the case of dietary supplements.
The high content of active ingredients in each tablet allows you to limit yourself to taking Artra 1–2 times a day. In the course of clinical studies, the safety of the drug has been proven during long-term therapy (including in patients with concomitant diseases and when combined with other drugs).
Often, during drug treatment, it becomes possible to reduce the dose of NSAIDs taken in combination with the drug or to completely abandon their use.
According to doctors, the use of chondroprotectors is not advisable due to the lack of evidence of their effectiveness in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine. Therefore, their use is more likely not related to the treatment process, but is an auxiliary method.
The price of Artru in pharmacies
The price for Artru (per pack 120 pcs.) Varies in the range of 2300-2600 rubles. You can also buy the drug in pharmacies for 1500–1800 rubles (60 pcs in a package), for 900–1100 rubles (30 in a package) and for 2500–2900 rubles (100 in a package).
Artra: prices in online pharmacies
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Artra tablets p.o. 500mg + 500mg 120 pcs. 3479 RUB Buy |
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
