Antidepressant Velaxin: patient reviews, instructions for use, analogues

Can I get antidepressants without prescription? The list of such drugs is small. This is due to the fact that they can cause addiction, as well as many side effects. Therefore, before taking such funds, you should definitely visit a specialist.

velaxin patient reviews

general information

Depression is not treated with medication. But to improve the functioning of the nervous system, many doctors still prescribe various antidepressants to their patients. One of them is the drug "Velaxin". Reviews of patients about this tool, as well as its features and instructions for use, will be presented below.

The composition of the drug, its form of production

In what form are antidepressants such as Velaxin made? Tablets and capsules are the only forms of this drug.

Velaxin tablets are white, engraved on one side of the E741, as well as a round flat shape and bevel. Their active ingredient is venlafaxine, which is presented in the form of hydrochloride. Also included in this medication are auxiliary components such as colloidal anhydrous silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, MCC, and magnesium stearate.

Packed tablets in blisters and packs of cardboard, respectively.

The drug "Velaxin" - capsules, instructions for use of which are enclosed in a package of paper, gelatin and hard. They have an orange-brown lid and a colorless base. The active component of this form is also the substance venlafaxine. In addition to it, the composition of this medicine includes additional ingredients.

How does the drug work?

Velaxin is a new generation antidepressant. By its chemical structure, its active substance does not belong to any known class of antidepressants (for example, tricyclic, tetracyclic or other). Specialists claim that this drug is a racemate of 2 active enantiomers.

non-prescription antidepressants list

The principle of action of this medication is associated with its ability to potentiate the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system.

According to the instructions, venlafaxine, as well as its main metabolite (EFA or O-desmethylvenlafaxine) are potent norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors and weak dopamine reuptake inhibitors. We can not say that these substances are able to reduce beta-adrenergic activity after a single and with constant use of the drug. EFA and venlafaxine are equally effective in reuptake of neurotransmitters.

What is more remarkable about the medicine “Velaxin”? The manual reports that the active component of this drug has an affinity for n- and m-cholinergic receptors, brain α1-adrenergic receptors and histamine H1 receptors. In addition, it suppresses the effect of MAO and is not similar to phencyclidine, opioid, benzodiazepine and NMDA receptors.

Kinetics of the drug

Is Velaxin (tablets) absorbed? Instructions for use states that the active component of this medication is fairly well absorbed from the intestines. After a single dose of the drug in a dosage of 25-150 mg, its highest concentration in the blood is reached after 2.4 hours. At the same time, venlafaxine is extensively metabolized during the first passage through the liver. If this drug is taken with food, then the peak time of its concentration in plasma increases by 27-30 minutes.

The main metabolite of the drug in question is O-desmethylvenlafaxine. Its half-life, as well as the half-life of venlafaxine, is 11 and 5 hours, respectively (excreted unchanged by the kidneys).

velaxin tablets instructions for use

Kinetics of medication in special clinical cases

The drug "Velaxin", the instruction of which is obligatory to read, in people with cirrhosis has other kinetic features. The concentration of this drug in the blood of these patients is increased, and the rate of its elimination, on the contrary, is reduced.

In severe renal failure, as well as moderate renal failure, the overall clearance of EFA and venlafaxine decreases, and the elimination half-life is lengthened.

It should also be noted that the gender and age of the patient in no way affect the pharmacokinetics of the medication in question.

Indications for appointment

Why is such a tool as Velaxin necessary? The use of this drug is indicated for depression of various origins (for treatment and prevention).

Prohibitions for appointment

What conditions can not use the drug "Velaxin"? Reviews of patients and doctors claim that this medication is contraindicated for taking:

  • while taking MAO inhibitors ;
  • with severe renal impairment;
  • during an alleged or established pregnancy;
  • with severe violations of the liver;
  • during breastfeeding;
  • in adolescence and childhood, that is, until adulthood;
  • with high sensitivity to the components of the drug.
    velaxin instruction

In addition, this medicine should be taken with caution in case of unstable angina, myocardial infarction (including recently suffered), arterial hypertension, history of seizures, tachycardia, decreased body weight, increased intraocular pressure, angle-closure glaucoma, predisposition to bleeding from the mucous membranes and skin, manic conditions.

The drug "Velaxin" (tablets): instructions for use

The antidepressant Velaxin should be taken only during the meal. The recommended initial dosage of this drug is 75 mg, divided into 2 doses (that is, 37.5 mg twice a day), every day.

If after several weeks of therapy the patient’s condition has not improved, then the daily dose is increased to 150 mg per day, in two doses (that is, 75 mg twice a day).

If the patient requires a higher dose of an antidepressant (for example, with severe depressive disorder or other conditions requiring inpatient therapy), then the specialist can prescribe 150 mg of the drug in 2 doses, and then gradually increase this dose by 75 mg (the next 2-3 days) to achieve the desired result.

According to the instructions, the maximum dosage of Velaxin is 375 mg per day. After achieving the desired effect, it can be gradually reduced to a minimum level.

Relapse prevention and supportive care

Maintenance therapy with the drug in question can last from six months. In this case, the medication is taken in minimal doses.

With mild renal failure, dosage adjustment is not required. With a similar disease of moderate severity, the dose is recommended to be reduced by 25-50%. It should also be noted that venlafaxine should not be used in case of severe renal failure, since there is currently no evidence of the safety of such therapy.

velaxin tablets

People on hemodialysis should receive 50% of the usual daily dosage of the drug after the session.

In case of mild hepatic insufficiency, a dosage regimen correction is also not required. In case of a moderate disease, the dose should be reduced by 50%. As for severe liver failure, then venlafaxine is prohibited.

In elderly people, the drug "Velaxin" should be used with extreme caution. This is due to a possible violation of the kidneys. Such patients should be given the lowest effective dosage. In this case, the patient should be under constant medical supervision.

Antidepressant withdrawal

At the end of taking the drug in question, the dosage should be gradually reduced (within a week). At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the patient's condition in order to minimize the risk of developing adverse reactions associated with drug withdrawal.

The time required to completely stop taking the medicine depends on the dosage, the duration of the course of therapy and the individual characteristics of the person.

Side effects

What undesirable effects can the drug Velaxin cause? Reviews of patients claim that the development of certain adverse reactions after the use of this drug depends on the dose taken.

The most frequently occurring reactions of a negative nature include the following:

  • arterial hypertension, decreased appetite, unusual dreams, constipation, insomnia, nausea, flushing of the skin, tremors, vomiting, muscle spasms, dry mouth;
  • hallucinations, hepatitis, weight loss, tachycardia, hyponatremia, apathy, postural hypotension, dizziness, manic reactions, nervous irritability, yawning, paresthesia, antipsychotic syndrome, stupor, serotonergic syndrome;
  • increased muscle tone, epileptic seizures, dysuria, photosensitivity, urinary retention, anorgasmia;
  • hemorrhages in the skin, ejaculation disorders, menorrhagia, decreased libido, sweating;
  • thrombocytopenia, accommodation disorders, erythema multiforme, mydriasis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, visual impairment, taste disturbance, prolonged bleeding time, weakness, skin rash, increased fatigue, anaphylactic reactions.

velaxin application
It should also be noted that after a sharp cancellation of the drug in question or a decrease in its dosage, such side reactions as nervous irritability, fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, anxiety, headache, paresthesia, nausea, hypomania, vomiting, sweating, anorexia, insomnia, dryness are possible mouth, anxiety, dizziness, and disorientation. As a rule, such symptoms are mild and go away without any treatment.

Recommendations

Do antidepressants sell over-the-counter? The list of such medicines is not very large (Prozac, Paxil, Deprim, Azafen, Persen, Amitriptyline), and Velaxin is not included in it. You can buy this tool in a pharmacy only by medical prescription.

Before taking the medication in question, especially in patients with depressive disorders, the high probability of the occurrence of suicidal attempts should be taken into account. In this regard, at the very beginning of therapy, the drug is recommended to be used in the minimum dose and under close medical supervision.

People with affective disorders may develop manic or hypomanic conditions during antidepressant treatment.

Patients should be warned about the need to immediately consult a doctor in case of urticaria elements, rashes or allergic reactions.

In some patients, a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure is observed during venlafaxine.

Elderly people must be warned about a possible disturbance in the sense of balance and the development of dizziness.

During the treatment with the drug in question, alcohol should be avoided.

velaxin capsules instruction

Antidepressant Velaxin: patient reviews, drug analogues

What do patients say about this medicine? Many consumers report a large number of adverse reactions that occur while taking this medication. Especially often, this drug causes such negative reactions as drowsiness, weakness, insomnia, convulsions, impaired thinking, depression and confusion. In addition, some patients claim that such effects remain after treatment is completed. Many users also complain of withdrawal and dependence.

What can replace an antidepressant such as Velaxin? Analogues of this drug can not be found in all pharmacies. As a rule, specialists refer to them as follows: Venlafaxine Sandoz, Efevelon, Alventa, Newvelong, Velafax, Dupfix, Voxemel, Venlaxor, Wensuert, Venlafaxin.


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