Drotaverine+nimesulide
About
Drotaverine+nimesulide belongs to the group of medicines called muscle relaxants indicated for the relief of painful skeletal muscle spasms. Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of muscles that can be painful. Musculoskeletal pain affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
Drotaverine+nimesulide is a combination of two drugs: Nimesulide (NSAID) and Drotaverine (Muscle relaxant). Nimesulide works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for pain and inflammation. Drotaverine acts on the brain and spinal cord centers where it inhibits the multisynaptic reflex involved in muscle spasms, thereby providing relief from skeletal muscle spasms or stiffness. Together, Drotaverine+nimesulide helps in relieving musculoskeletal pain.
Take Drotaverine+nimesulide as directed by your doctor. You are advised to take Drotaverine+nimesulide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. You may experience certain common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dryness in the mouth, and dizziness in some cases. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not take Drotaverine+nimesulide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Drotaverine+nimesulide is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Drotaverine+nimesulide as it could increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Drotaverine+nimesulide may cause sleepiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Drotaverine+nimesulide
Medicinal Benefits
Drotaverine+nimesulide is a combination of two drugs, namely: Nimesulide and Drotaverine. Drotaverine+nimesulide is used to relieve pain and stiffness caused by muscle strains and sprains. Nimesulide is an NSAID that inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation. Drotaverine is a muscle relaxant that acts on the brain and spinal cord centers where it inhibits the multisynaptic reflex involved in muscle spasms, thereby providing relief from skeletal muscle spasms or stiffness. Together, Drotaverine+nimesulide helps in relieving pain due to muscle spasms.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Drotaverine+nimesulide
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dryness in mouth
- Feeling thirsty
- Dizziness
- Increased liver enzymes
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Drotaverine+nimesulide if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have bled into the brain, impaired liver function, blood clotting problems, stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding, severe heart failure, or non-dialyzed severe kidney failure. Inform your doctor before taking Drotaverine+nimesulide if you have heart problems, or kidney or liver impairment. Do not take Drotaverine+nimesulide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Drotaverine+nimesulide is not recommended for children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Drotaverine+nimesulide as it could increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Drotaverine+nimesulide may cause sleepiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Stop taking Drotaverine+nimesulide and consult your doctor immediately if you have stomach pain or any signs of bleeding in the intestine or stomach such as blood in stools. Do not take any other NSAIDs for pain relief along with Drotaverine+nimesulide unless prescribed. Concomitant use of levodopa and Drotaverine+nimesulide should be avoided. Inform your doctor if you have a history of wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, sudden skin or mucosal swelling, and skin rashes after taking NSAID medication.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Drotaverine+nimesulide may have interaction with a blood thinner (warfarin), corticosteroids (medicines used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions), lithium which is used to treat depression, methotrexate (a medicine used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), cyclosporine (a medicine used after transplantation) and levodopa (a medicine used for the central nervous system).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Drotaverine+nimesulide as it might cause an increased risk of stomach bleeding.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Drotaverine+nimesulide may have interactions with severe kidney, liver, or heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Drotaverine+nimesulide as it may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not recommended to use Drotaverine+nimesulide during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Drotaverine+nimesulide, and your doctor will decide whether Drotaverine+nimesulide can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionDrotaverine+nimesulide may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDrotaverine+nimesulide is not recommended in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDrotaverine+nimesulide is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney disease or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeDrotaverine+nimesulide should not be given to children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.
- Follow heat or cold therapy, apply a cold or hot compress on the joints for 15-20minutes regularly.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listen to soothing music.
- Acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy may also be helpful.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes, and green tea.
Special Advise
If you experience bloody or tarry stools, change in urine colour stop using Drotaverine+nimesulide, and consult a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Musculoskeletal pain: Musculoskeletal pain affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. It can be acute or chronic and can be localized or widespread. The pain can be mild or severe enough to interfere with your daily routine. Musculoskeletal pain could occur due to arthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, dislocations, problems with the bone structure, or injury to the bones, joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Symptoms of musculoskeletal pain include stiffness, swelling, redness, weakness, muscle spasms or twitching, trouble moving the affected area, soreness, and cracking or popping sounds at the joints.
Muscle spasm: The sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty moving, pain in affected muscles, and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection, and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. Exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, and sprain.
FAQs
Drotaverine+nimesulide is a combination of two drugs, namely: Nimesulide and Drotaverine. Nimesulide works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for pain and inflammation. Drotaverine acts on the brain and spinal cord centres where it inhibits multisynaptic reflex involved in muscle spasms, thereby providing relief from skeletal muscle spasms. Together, Drotaverine+nimesulide helps in relieving musculoskeletal pain.
Drotaverine+nimesulide is generally prescribed for short-term use. Avoid taking Drotaverine+nimesulide for longer durations unless prescribed by the doctor as it could lead to unpleasant side-effects and liver damage. Use the minimum effective dose for the shortest duration of time.
Do not take Drotaverine+nimesulide along with other pain killer medicines unless prescribed by the doctor as it can lead to unpleasant side-effects and can increase the risk of stomach bleeding associated with NSAID's.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Drotaverine+nimesulide. Drink enough fluids and eat fibre rich food if you experience diarrhoea. Consult your doctor if you experience excessive diarrhoea or if you find blood in stools.
Drotaverine+nimesulide contains Nimesulide, an NSAID, which can enhance the activity of anticoagulant drugs leading to an increased risk of bleeding complications. Therefore, it is not recommended to take anti-coagulants along with Drotaverine+nimesulide unless told by the doctor.
No, there is no evidence that Drotaverine+nimesulide is addictive.
