Therapeutic indications: what is it for?

OkiTask® is indicated in the treatment of pains that can have a different nature. It can be used in the symptomatic treatment of menstrual pain, headache or toothache, joint or muscle pain.

OkiTask® is a very useful and versatile product for those who are looking for a remedy that can be taken without the help of water and practically anywhere.

Pharmaceutical Forms and Dosage

The following pharmaceutical forms of OkiTask® are commercially available, authorized by the Medicines Agency:

• OkiTask® 40 mg buccal granules available in packs of 10, 20 or 30 sachets;
• OkiTask® 40 mg tablets in packs of 10 or 20 units.

Mechanism of action

OkiTask® belongs to the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), derivatives of propionic acid.

This category of drugs acts by reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins, a result which is obtained by inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme.

The effect obtained is of a distinctly analgesic nature, as the prostaglandins are responsible for triggering the inflammatory and painful process.

By blocking this enzyme, you virtually stop the inflammation and associated pain.

This type of action also has effects on the painful inflammatory states that typically affect the joints, making movement easier for those suffering from this type of problem.

Dosage and method of use

For adults over the age of 15, the recommended dosage is 1 sachet of OkiTask® , up to 3 times a day to combat particularly intense forms of pain.

The drug must not be diluted in water, but can be poured directly onto the tongue, as it is able to dissolve with the help of saliva.

It is advisable to take OkiTask® on a full stomach, possibly in conjunction with the main meals.

It is also advisable to limit the intake of the drug for the strictly necessary period, with an interruption of the recommended therapy as soon as the pains that are to be addressed with the drug should cease.

Overdose

Cases with overdose of up to 2.5 grams of the active ingredient have been studied, i.e. the dose contained in approximately 32 sachets. Symptoms of a benign nature typically occur and present with lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, headache.

In extremely rare cases, gastrointestinal haemorrhages have been reported, as well as episodes of hypotension, respiratory depression and sometimes even cyanosis.

It is not possible to use specific antidotes against the active substance, since there are none. It is therefore necessary, in cases of severe overdose, to proceed with gastric lavage and symptomatic treatment, correcting the acidosis where present.

In the event that the patient suffers from renal insufficiency, it could be useful to remove the drug from the circulation.

Contraindications

OkiTask® should not be administered to patients who:

• have a previous history of hypersensitivity to the active substance, which can manifest itself in asthma attacks, skin rashes or bronchospasm;
• have had severe anaphylactic reactions;
• are pregnant or suspected, pregnant (especially in the third trimester), and also while breastfeeding;
• are under 15 years of age;
• have stomach ulcer;
• have duodenal ulcer;
• suffer from leukopenia ;
• have severe renal insufficiency;
• have severe liver failure;
• are taking other anti-inflammatory drugs;
• have suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding in the past;
• have had ulcerations or perforations.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The drug is not indicated for use during pregnancy , with particular attention to the third trimester of pregnancy. Studies conducted on animals have demonstrated the ability of the active ingredient to increase the onset of malformations, including cardiac malformations, of the fetus.

There are currently no studies concerning the possibility of the active ingredient being excreted in breast milk: for this reason, the use of the drug during pregnancy is not recommended.

Interactions with other drugs

The combination of the drug with other NSAIDs is not recommended as it could increase the possibility of the onset of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.

The drug should also not be used in conjunction with anticoagulants and platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Patients who must necessarily undergo concomitant administration, should be monitored throughout the period of recruitment.

The drug, when taken concomitantly with lithium, increases its plasma levels. Patients treated with lithium must be monitored constantly.

OkiTask® should also be associated with caution with diuretic drugs (it reduces their action), ACE inhibitors, methotrexate, antihypertensive drugs.

Side effects

The most common side effects among those caused by OkiTask® all concern the gastrointestinal system. However, we are talking about a drug that causes problems in less than 1 out of 100,000 patients treated. Any anaphylactic reactions to the active substance should also be taken into consideration.

Effects such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness are uncommon, while cases of asthma are very rare. Furthermore, in very few cases, effects on the intestine such as constipation and flatulence occur.

Any adverse reaction not explicitly reported on the information leaflet should be reported to your doctor.

Recipe, Dispensing System and Price

OkiTask® is a drug that can be purchased without needing a medical prescription.

As far as prices are concerned, we have:

• OkiTask® 40 mg in packs of 10 sachets: 6 euros;
• OkiTask® 40 mg in packs of 20 sachets: 10 euros;
• OkiTask® 40 mg in packs of 30 sachets: 13 euros.