A drug-free, gel-like product may very well be the newest cure for arthritis, a new study finds.
The substance called Flexiseq is a water-based gel that can be rubbed into painful joints at least twice daily and is thought to not have any possible side effects because it is free of drug components. Researchers carried out six clinical studies which involved 4,000 patients and found Flexiseq to be effective in reducing pain and improving the mobility of people suffering from osteoarthritis. A study that tested 1,300 patients found that the medication creates a natural lubricant for the joints and is good for pain relief as commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Dr. John Dickson, co-founder of the Primary Care Rheumatology Societ, said: "It is well recognized that effectively managing chronic pain, particularly in patients with other conditions and risk factors, is a massive challenge that GPs and patients face on a daily basis. This topic treatment is drug-free and seems to have an excellent safety profile." The gel is made up of millions of droplets of fat, also known as phospholipids, which travel through the skin and tissue, thus penetrating the joint. The study was published in Rheumatology.
Professor Philip Conaghan, from the University of Leeds, who led the research, said: The need for new treatment options is well recognized as existing treatments don't always work and many can cause serious side effects. Many osteoarthritis patients are elderly and have additional health conditions that mean they are especially at risk of these side effects. Safety, is therefore a key concern for new therapies and patients and healthcare professionals would welcome new treatment options which are effective and without such safety concerns. Flexiseq is produced by Pro Bono Bono and is currently available in Germany and Ireland. It has also been awarded Innovation of 2013 by the Federal Association of German Pharmacists.
