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Aglan 15, the active ingredient of which is meloxicam, belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It also has an analgesic and antipyretic effect, and is available on prescription.
Aglan 15 – what is this drug?
Aglan 15 is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It also has an analgesic and antipyretic effect. Its active substance is meloxicam, which inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenases, mainly cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1).
Agalan 15 – indication for use
The preparation is used primarily for the treatment of elderly people, injured people, blue-collar workers and former athletes. The indications for the use of Agalan 15 are diseases such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. It includes organs and joints. If rheumatoid arthritis treatment is left untreated, joint damage and in some cases even death will result. The disease is caused by a disease of the ligaments, tendons, bones and cartilage. The disease is also caused by genetic factors, dysfunction of the immune system and sometimes also severe stress.
- ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine, the symptoms of which are kyphosis and disability. However, the condition can also affect the hip, shoulder, eyes, heart and lungs. Probably the cause of the disease is genetic, immunological, environmental and bacterial infections. The first symptoms of the disease are low back pain which radiates to the buttocks.
- Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of the locomotor system. It is caused by disorders of the articular cartilage – both in terms of quality and quantity. Symptoms of the disease are pain and stiffness of the joint, which distort its contours and limit its mobility. Its consequence is disability and deterioration of the quality of life.
Aglan 15 – action
The active substance of Aglan 15, like other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, inhibits the biosynthesis and prostaglandins. Its complete absorption occurs after intramuscular injection. Meloxicam binds to plasma proteins and enters the synovial fluid, where it reaches concentrations about half that in plasma.
The organ which is largely responsible for metabolizing the active substance of the drug is the liver. Melkosicam is excreted both in the liver and in the faeces, both in the same amount. It is well absorbed from the digestive tract. After oral administration, the maximum concentration in the blood is obtained within 5-6 hours after administration, and the steady state within 3-5 days of using the preparation.
Aglan 15 – contraindications
Aglan 15 should not be taken by people with:
- hypersensitivity to meloxicam,
- hypersensitivity to substances similar to meloxicam,
- asthma attacks
- polypy nose,
- angioedema,
- hives after taking NSAIDs,
- hives after taking acetylsalicylic acid,
- hemostatic disorders,
- taking anticoagulants,
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- third trimester of pregnancy.
Contraindications to taking Aglan 15 are also:
- peptic ulcer disease – the active substance of the preparation should not be used by people with active or recurrent peptic ulcer disease. Failure to do so may irritate the lining of the stomach or duodenum, causing a burning pain in the abdomen that radiates from the chest to the navel. It is caused by stomach acid coming into contact with an ulcer or a wound in the stomach. The use of Aglan 15 in this case may have serious consequences for health.
- Severe liver failure – manifested by a sudden deterioration in the functioning of the liver. It can occur as a result of infection with HBV, HAV, HCV, due to drug poisoning and as a reaction of the body to hepatic vein thrombosis or systemic diseases. Liver failure is not always quickly diagnosed as it is often painless.
- Severe renal failure in patients not undergoing dialysis – a symptom of the disease is sudden impairment of liver function. Then there is an increase in blood creatinine concentration. The patient begins to pass less urine, has vomiting, diarrhea, is dehydrated and burns. Acute kidney failure often occurs as a consequence of various disasters, e.g. wars, earthquakes. Its causes may be diseases with nephritis. In addition, it can also be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal preparations of dubious quality.
- Severe uncontrolled heart failure is a condition where the heart pumps too little blood to certain organs. As a consequence, the organs are less oxygenated and cannot function properly. This condition occurs quickly. Its causes are usually various diseases of the cardiovascular system, most often ischemic blood disease.
Aglan 15 – dosage
The drug is administered as an injection. The recommended dose is 7,5-15 mg / day. In diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, the recommended dose is 15 mg / day. The injections are dosed deep into the muscle into the upper outer part of the buttock. The injections are used alternately – i.e. once in the left and once in the right buttock. For sciatica, the medicine may increase pain during the initial doses.
The dosage of the drug also depends on the age of the patient. Special groups of patients are seniors, people with renal insufficiency, people with hepatic insufficiency and children. According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, the dose of the drug that can be given to seniors is 7,5 mg; patients who are more likely to develop side effects may be given 7,5 mg per day.
The dose for dialysis patients with severe renal impairment should not exceed half of the ampoule. Moreover, patients with severe renal insufficiency should not be given the preparation. Conversely, when renal insufficiency is moderate, the dose should not be reduced. The decision on the size of the dose and possible changes in its value should be consulted with an appropriate specialist. In addition, there are no studies that would confirm the safety and effectiveness of administering Aglan to 15 children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
Aglan 15 – side effects
Aglan 15 may cause skin reactions. Patients treated with meloxicam may develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome. There have also been reports of epidermal necrolysis. Therefore, before starting treatment with the preparation, the patient should be informed that such a reaction may occur. It is worth adding that the probability of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and epidermal separation is greatest within the first weeks of treatment.
Aglan 15, like other NSAIDs, can increase serum transaminosis. Moreover, it can also alter liver function markers. When the changes caused by it prove to be long-lasting, then the drug should be stopped and appropriate tests performed. Side effects can be particularly troublesome for people with a weakened immune system and people with a lighter body build.
Aglan 15 – precautions
The use of NSAIDs increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcer disease or perforation – the higher the dose of the drug, the greater the likelihood of bleeding. People at this risk group should always consult their doctor about any decisions regarding the use of the drug. This group of patients is most often recommended to take the lowest possible dose of Aglan 15.
If any side effects appear during the treatment, consult a doctor immediately. Caution should be exercised in patients who are taking concomitant medications that may increase the risk of ulceration or bleeding. oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or antiplatelet drugs.
People with arterial hypertension should undergo special medical care during treatment with the drug. There is a risk that taking certain NSAIDs may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially in long-term users. People suffering from diseases such as:
- Coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease) – this is a condition in which the heart is insufficiently supplied with oxygen. The reason is the narrowing of the coronary arteries, which are responsible for the supply of nutrients to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease is usually atherosclerotic. It is the most common cardiovascular disease in highly developed countries.
- uncontrolled hypertension – the cause of the disease is the high pressure of the blood stream on the walls of the arteries. As a consequence, there is damage to the vessels and thus to heart disease. The amount of blood pressure depends on the amount of blood pumped into the arteries and the resistance of the peripheral vessels. The disease may be asymptomatic for a long time, and some of them include dull headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds.
- peripheral arterial disease – a condition that causes your arteries to narrow and block, leading to reduced blood flow. It is caused by a build-up of fatty plaque in your arteries. The symptoms of the disease include tiredness and weakness in the legs, leg pain, tingling in the feet, numbness in the hands and feet, cold skin and changes in skin color.
- cerebrovascular disease – is a group of diseases whose symptom is impaired blood flow to certain parts of the brain. These diseases are, for example, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain aneurysms, chronic cerebral atherosclerosis, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism. Diseases can be fatal. Factors contributing to their formation are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and overweight.
Aglan 15 – interactions with other drugs
Concomitant use of Aglan 15 with other NSAIDs may contribute to gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. It is also not recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral anticoagulants at the same time.
Aglan 15, like other NSAIDs, may reduce the effectiveness of diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. Threatening to health, especially for seniors and people with impaired renal function, is the simultaneous use of, for example, ACE inhibitors and agents inhibiting cyclooxygenase. Patients taking these drugs should especially stay hydrated.
The simultaneous use of Aglan 15 with antihypertensive drugs is also harmful. As a consequence, the antihypertensive drug beta-adrenergic blocker is less effective. NSAIDs in some cases increase the nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine due to their effect on renal prostaglandins. People taking the drug should be under constant medical supervision – this especially applies to seniors.
Name of the drug / preparation | Algan 15 |
Wstęp | Aglan 15, also known as meloxicam, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug, available on prescription |
Manufacturer | Zentiva |
Form, dose, packaging | 0,015 g/1,5 ml | 5 amp. po 1,5 ml |
Availability category | on prescription |
The active substance | meloxicam |
Indication | – treatment of the elderly, injured people, physically working or former athletes – short-term symptomatic treatment of exacerbations of osteoarthritis – long-term symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis |
Dosage | the recommended dose is 7,5-15 mg / day |
Contraindications to use | None |
Warnings | None |
Interactions | None |
Side effects | None |
Other (if any) | None |