How many people live on our planet, so many years, and there is such a thing as depression. Moreover, the number of patients suffering from such an ailment is constantly increasing. It is not surprising that since ancient times, doctors have sought to find an effective cure for this disease. Similar conditions and characteristic symptoms are excellently treated with Anafranil. Reviews about the drug in most cases are positive.
The mechanism of action of antidepressants
The main reason for the appearance of depression in a person is hidden in a small amount of serotonin. It is he who is responsible for a good mood. This is a neurotransmitter produced by the pineal gland of the brain.
If a person has enough serotonin, then he feels a surge of strength, is in excellent mood. Such a person increases resistance to stress.
However, even the most effective antidepressants are not able to improve the mood of a patient who is diagnosed with depression. This fact is scientifically proven.
Main groups
In medicine, there are many classifications of modern drugs. Consider groups of antidepressants, according to their effect on neurotransmitters:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Such drugs do not make it possible to capture the neurotransmitter of the presynaptic membrane and drag it back into the cell. Popular drugs are: “Fluoxetine”, “Paroxetine”, “Celex”, “Zoloft”, “Fevarin”.
- Tricyclic antidepressants. The mechanism of action of drugs is similar to that described above. They are prescribed in case of patients intolerance to inhibitors. Effective drugs of this group are: "Anafranil", "Norpramin", "Maprotiline", "Palmelor", "Tofranil", "Elavil".
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Drugs interfere with the destruction of serotonin in the body. Thus, the number of neurotransmitters increases. Representatives of this group are drugs: Nialamide, Iprazide, Tranylcypromine, Isocarboxazide, Pargilin.
- Serotonergic, noradrenergic antidepressants help to slow the absorption of neurotransmitters by the postsynaptic membrane. This group includes drugs: Serzon, Mianserin, Desirel, Imirtazapin, Remeron.
- Norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These are the latest generation of drugs that block the reuptake of neurotransmitters. In addition, they have few side effects. Effective medicines are: Effexor, Zyban, Cymbalta, Maprotilin.
Pharmacological action of Anafranil
This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant. The active substance of the drug is clomipramine. It is an excellent antidepressant with a pronounced sedative effect and moderately analgesic.
The use of Anafranil is recommended for patients suffering from psychomotor retardation, anxiety, and bad mood. Its effectiveness is confirmed even with bulimia.
Therapeutic effect occurs after 6-7 days of regular use of the drug. And the maximum effectiveness is noticeable after 2-3 weeks.
Indications for use
The tool is in demand for the treatment of depression of various nature and type. So the instructions for use indicate the drug "Anafranil". Reviews of doctors especially focus on a wide range of pathological phenomena in which the medicine is quite effective.
This antidepressant is prescribed for:
- treatment of depression - neurotic, reactive, endogenous, masked, involutional, organic;
- therapy for panic attacks and a variety of phobias;
- elimination of depressive states in elderly persons, provoked by severe constant pain or somatic pathologies;
- treatment of depressive conditions in schizophrenics, psychopaths;
- the fight against catalepsy (narcolepsy);
- elimination of mood disorders of a psychopathic, reactive or neurotic nature;
- migraine prophylaxis;
- treatment of senile and presenile depression;
- elimination of nocturnal enuresis, which is not associated with other diseases.
The use of "Anafranil" is indicated even for cancer patients suffering from chronic pain syndromes.
Contraindications
These pills for stress and depression are prohibited for use in the following conditions:
- allergy to the components of the drug;
- recent myocardial infarction;
- children under 5 years old;
- pregnancy, feeding the baby;
- alcohol intoxication;
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- drug intoxication;
- serious conduction disturbance.
Extremely carefully, since side effects may occur from the drug "Anafranil", this drug is prescribed for the following factors:
- epilepsy;
- brain injury;
- adolescence;
- taking antipsychotics;
- urinary retention;
- glaucoma;
- cardiovascular failure or arrhythmia;
- adrenal gland tumor;
- serious liver disease;
- hyperthyroidism;
- tendency to constipation;
- elderly age.
Patients who take this drug should constantly monitor blood pressure and intraocular pressure. Persons using contact lenses need to remember that the drug helps to reduce the intensity of tearing. Corneal damage may result from this effect.
Greater attention requires intravenous drug administration. Some patients may experience anaphylactic shock.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Unfortunately, medicine has not yet been invented drugs that would not have undesirable reactions. Side effects of antidepressants often relate to:
- central nervous system;
- hematopoietic organs;
- endocrine system (allergy, overweight);
- higher nervous activity;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- sexual dysfunction.
Side effects of the drug "Anafranil"
Adverse reactions during therapy with this agent are often mild. In addition, the drug "Anafranil" side effects are similar to the symptoms of depression. In most cases, during the course of treatment, they pass as soon as the necessary effect is achieved, and the dosage of the drug begins to decrease.
If undesirable reactions are serious or threaten the patient's life, then the medication should be stopped. Often, side effects occur in elderly people.
The following manifestations may occur:
- Drowsiness, fatigue, tremors, dry mucous membranes, increased appetite, sweating.
- Headache, constipation, nausea, weight gain, impaired vision.
- Excessive palpitations, hot flashes, increased muscle tone or weakness, paresthesia, speech impairment.
- Tachycardia, low blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, increased activity of liver enzymes.
- Tinnitus, urticaria, skin rash, itching, distortion of taste.
- Sleep disturbance, hallucinations, disorientation, aggression, anxiety, memory lapses.
- Heat, ataxia, cramps.
- Swelling, urinary retention, glaucoma, intracardiac conduction disturbance.
- Anaphylactoid and anaphylactic reactions, pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia.
Possible consequences
Many drugs have a fairly unpleasant withdrawal syndrome. In other words, as soon as the patient stops using antidepressants, the consequences of such a decision may be completely undesirable - the symptoms return. In addition, sometimes patients exhibit sensory disturbances, insomnia, nausea, and overexcitation. Some people may even experience delusions and hallucinations.
Unfortunately, just such symptoms are caused by the abrupt cancellation of Anafranil. Reviews of patients indicate the return of painful sensations. Against the background of such a clinic, vomiting, nausea, irritability, insomnia, headache, anxiety are observed.
That is why doctors recommend a certain regimen for taking this medication. Initially, the dose increases, and upon reaching the maximum allowable rate, it slowly begins to decline.
The opinion of doctors about the drug
The medicine “Anafranil” is in great demand. Doctors' reviews indicate the high effectiveness of this drug in the treatment of moderate depression, the fight against obsessive conditions.
Doctors, observing patients who are prescribed the drug, note that this is a great escape from anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions, aggression. The medicine allows you to eliminate a wide variety of phobias in patients.
At the same time, patients are always warned of undesirable consequences after taking Anafranil. Doctors' reviews suggest that side effects still occur. Along with the excellent elimination of obsessive conditions, sometimes the use of medication is seriously complicated. Indeed, some patients have impaired speech, memory problems, drowsiness, and some other manifestations.
A special place is given to the need to take the drug regularly for a period (depending on the appointment of a doctor) from 6 months to 3 years. Therefore, it is extremely important to take the necessary prescription from the attending doctor in time to prevent the return of unpleasant symptoms. And it can occur even with the one-day cancellation of Anafranil.
Patient Reviews
What is the patients opinion about this medicine? Surprisingly, the beneficial effects of "Anafranil" patient reviews fully confirm. The drug perfectly relieves obsessive thoughts, perfectly eliminates the symptoms of depression. A medicine can restore people's will to life.
However, one should not forget about the side effects. Unfortunately, they often make themselves felt.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that depression is far from the manifestations that are now invested in this concept. Apathy, lethargy, bad mood, excitability, fatigue, minor failures - this is only a weak reflection of the pathological process. A full diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. And only he will recommend effective antidepressants.