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Arcalen is a herbal preparation that is available over the counter in pharmacies. Arcalen ointment is used to relieve ailments related to minor post-traumatic conditions, such as contusions or bruises. Arcalen primarily affects the acceleration of the absorption of hematomas, also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces pain. What ingredients does Arcalen ointment contain and what properties do they show? Can any patient use Arcalen ointment? What precautions should you take? How much does Arcalen ointment cost and can this preparation be replaced with other medicinal products?
Arcalen – general characteristics of the drug
Arcalen is a medicinal product based on herbs, which is used in cases of post-traumatic conditions such as bruises, swelling, contusions or muscle pain. This ointment is applied topically to protect the blood vessel walls and strengthen the capillaries.
Arcalen ointment pack contains 30 g of the preparation. With proper use, one package may be enough for the patient for approx. 10 therapeutic massages.
The producer and entity responsible for the distribution of Arcalen ointment is Poznańskie Zakłady Zielarskie Herbapol. It is one of the oldest and most respected herbal companies in Poland. The Poznańskie Zakłady Zielarskie Herbapol produces medicinal products, dietary supplements and cosmetics, the main ingredients of which are popular medicinal herbs. In 2019, the company celebrated 150 years of existence on the Polish pharmaceutical market.
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Arcalen – composition and action of the ointment
Arcalen ointment is a herbal preparation, the most important ingredients of which are a thick extract composed of arnica and calendula baskets, and a dry extract of chestnut bark. 1 g of Arcalen ointment contains 20 mg of dense extract composed of arnica and calendula baskets and 12,5 mg of dry extract of horse chestnut bark.
These ingredients show the following healing properties:
- medical calendula – the infusion of calendula flowers can be used externally: for washing, compresses, irrigation or rinsing. Internally, however, it is used for inflammation and spasms of the digestive tract, gastric and intestinal ulcers, most often with chamomile flowers, yarrow and arnica. Marigold extracts are also used in creams to heal hands after frostbite or burns. Due to its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, marigold is also used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and eye fatigue;
- arnica – some species of this plant have medicinal properties. The herbal raw material is, for example, inflorescences of mountain arnica. Arnica extracts are used externally in inflammation or internally because they strengthen blood vessels. This plant contains, among others flavonoids, essential oil and triterpenes;
- chestnut bark – almost every part of the popular horse chestnut contains valuable substances. Horse chestnut bark extract has blood vessel strengthening, anticoagulant and analgesic properties. The substances contained in horse chestnut have an anti-inflammatory, astringent effect, improve blood flow and have antibacterial properties. They are used to heal skin damage such as bruises, frostbite or minor burns.
Arcalen ointment auxiliary substances are lanolin, solid paraffin, liquid paraffin, white petrolatum, magnesium stearate, lemon oil, a mixture of 1,2-dicyanobutane and 2-phenoxyethanol in a proportion of 20–80%, as well as purified water.
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Arcalen – indications
Arcalen in the form of an ointment is a herbal herbal medicine that is used to treat minor post-traumatic lesions. The ointment facilitates and accelerates the resorption of small bruises, which are visible on the skin as bruises.
Therefore, the the indications for the use of Arcalen ointment are:
- facilitating and accelerating the resorption of small subcutaneous haemorrhages (bruises, hematomas, joint exudates, periarticular lesions after injuries) in various minor post-traumatic conditions;
- edema occurring after mechanical injuries, e.g. contusions;
- supportive treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds;
- improvement of peripheral circulation within the area of ointment application;
- muscle pain after sports training.
When does muscle pain occur and what can they mean? Check: Muscle aches
Arcalen – contraindications
Despite its effectiveness in reducing symptoms associated with post-traumatic conditions, Arcalen ointment cannot be used by all patients.
Arcalen ointment is contraindicated are:
- allergy to active substances or any of the other ingredients;
- allergy to arnica, calendula or other plants of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family;
- damaged skin, open wounds;
- age of the patient – the ointment should not be used in children under 12 years of age;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding – consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.
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Arcalen – precautions
Before and during the use of Arcalen herbal ointment, follow the precautions contained in the package leaflet.
Among the precautionary measures, it is indicated that:
- the ointment contains lanolin, which can cause local skin irritation, including contact dermatitis;
- the ointment should be used with caution in adolescents over 12 years of age, especially if the parents of a minor patient are allergic to arnica, calendula or other plants of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family;
- the ointment should be kept out of the sight and reach of children;
- the ointment should be stored at a temperature below 25 ° C;
- some diseases may constitute a contraindication to use or an indication to change the dosage of the preparation. In some situations it may be necessary to carry out certain check-ups;
- the ointment should be used only externally and topically on an undamaged skin surface;
- if the symptoms worsen or do not disappear after several uses of the ointment, consult a doctor;
- expired medications should not be used. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month;
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines no longer required.
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Arcalen – dosage and method of use
Arcalen ointment should always be used according to the instructions provided with the package or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Before using the ointment for the first time, the membrane that protects the tube should be pierced.
Arcalen ointment for adults and adolescents over 12 years of age should be used in areas after minor injuries, such as contusions or bruises. The injured areas should be lubricated with a thin layer of ointment several times a day.
For therapeutic massage after intense exercise, it is recommended to use Arcalen ointment in the amount of 3-4 g, assuming that the length of the ointment strand is approx. 5 cm.
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Arcalen – side effects
Like any other medicine, Arcalen ointment can cause side effects in you, although not everybody gets them.
In the event of allergy or hypersensitivity symptoms, such as redness, rash – stop using the drug and consult a doctor or pharmacist.
The occurrence of side effects after the use of Arcalen ointment can also be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Effects of Medicinal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw.
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Arcalen — dinner
The price of the Arcalen ointment may differ depending on the city in which the herbal preparation will be purchased or the selected pharmacy. It can be estimated that for a package of Arcalen ointment containing 30 g of the product, you pay on average about PLN 10.
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Arcalen – substitutes and similar preparations
Products with the same international name and in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.
It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the excipients of the drug.
Therefore, before using a substitute for Arcalen ointment, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The ointments containing similar ingredients to the Arcalen preparation include:
- Arnica ointment – intended for external application to the skin. The active substance of the drug is the extract of arnica arnica inflorescence. The drug is used as an aid in contusions (bruises), sprains (with post-traumatic edema), symptomatically after insect bites and in rheumatic ailments. The package contains 10 g of the preparation and costs about PLN 10;
- Uzarin – is a gel for the comprehensive elimination of swelling and bruises, intended for adults, adolescents and children from 3 years of age. 1 g of the product contains: aluminum acetate tartrate 10 mg, marigold extract 10 mg, arnica extract 10 mg. Uzarin is indicated for use on bruises, swellings, 75st degree burns and after insect bites. The package contains 13 ml of gel and costs about PLN XNUMX;
- Chestnut arnica gel Dr. Nature – the active ingredients of the gel are menthol, camphor, mountain arnica extract, horse chestnut bark extract, Baikal skullcap root extract, grapevine leaf extract. It is used for the care of skin prone to the formation of vascular spider veins, improves the appearance and condition of the skin, has a soothing and relaxing effect on tired, sore calves and feet, it is ideal for massage of legs and feet after intense exercise;
- Arnigel – is a homeopathic medicine for the topical treatment of bruises, contusions and muscle aches after exercise. 45 g of the drug costs about PLN 15;
- Venomax Line of Nature – a gel with horse chestnut, jtory has a formula created on the basis of herbal extracts of horse chestnut, ginkgo and arnica, and the Legactif TM complex consisting of goldenrod, lemon and butcher’s broom. All ingredients have been carefully selected to combat the discomfort of heavy legs, reduce swelling, cramps and fatigue. 200 ml of the product costs about PLN 13.
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