Vigel (Indomethacin) Cream

What is Vi-gel?

Vi-gel is a brand-name cream preparation containing 1% Indomethacin.

What is Indomethacin?

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) used for the symptomatic management of mild to moderate pain, various inflammatory conditions and fever.

Generally, indomethacin as an NSAID may be used in the treatment of such conditions as:

• headaches,
• arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, rheumatic arthritis,
• gout ankylosing spondylitis,
• sports injuries, muscle sprains, muscle strains
• menstrual cramps

How does indomethacin work?

As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), indomethacin works by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) from producing chemicals called prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are a class of chemicals produced by the body that have many important functions in blood clotting, protection of the lining of the stomach, blood flow, inflammation process and among women, the induction of labor.

Prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage and cause pain, soreness, swelling and fever. By blocking the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, indomethacin reduces the prostaglandins that are produced, which means pain, inflammation and fever are eased.

What are topical NSAIDs?

Topical NSAIDs are creams, gels, ointments, rubs, plasters, solutions or sprays containing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These preparations are intended to be applied directly to intact skin overlying a sore muscle, stiff joint or areas with localized swelling. They are absorbed through the skin and reach the inflamed tissues where they relieve the pain, decrease the heat and reduce the irritation. Vi-gel cream preparation containing 1% Indomethacin is considered a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

As a topical anti-inflammatory preparation, how is Vi-gel cream a better alternative in treating musculoskeletal pain?

Because Vi-gel cream is formulated for direct application to the painful site, it relieves the pain, swelling, soreness, irritation, itching, edema and general discomfort in the immediate area while avoiding exposure of the rest of the body to high concentrations of the drug in the blood and other vital organs.

There is good evidence for the efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory both in short-term and in long-term musculoskeletal pain. As a topical NSAID, when Vi-gel is applied to the sore area, once the active agent indomethacin reaches the site of action, it will block the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes, thereby lowering prostaglandin levels. This in turn relieves the pain and eases the inflammation. In acute conditions, topical NSAIDs like Vi-gel most likely exert their action only locally. Because the drug levels reaching the blood are very much lower than with the same drug taken by mouth or injected directly, this minimizes the risk of adverse effects.

CLINICAL USES OF VI-GEL CREAM

For acute pain

Acute pain is defined as pain that is sudden and tends to be of a relatively short duration. Acute pain usually does not last longer than six months. It resolves quickly when there is no longer an underlying cause for the pain.

For chronic pain

Chronic pain is pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. This type of pain can continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed or gone away. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months, or years. Sometimes people suffer chronic pain even when there is no past injury or apparent body damage.

Examples of chronic pain include:

• Arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, rheumatic arthritis,
• Gout Tendinitis
• Nerve pain
• Back pain
• Fibromyalgia pain