According to the instructions for use, Convulex is a medication for the fight against epilepsy, based on valproic acid. On sale represented by capsules, drops, syrup. It is convenient to use in different situations and in the treatment of various cases. Convulex is applicable even for the treatment of minors, but strictly under the supervision of a doctor. Capsules recommended for use by adult patients are traditionally in greatest demand. There are three dosage forms: 150, 300, 500 mg of the active ingredient per one serving of the drug.
Attention to all components
The instructions for use of Convulex indicate that the main component that ensures the effectiveness of taking the drug is valproic acid. In addition, special components are introduced into the composition of the medication, due to which the use of the drug is simpler, and the effectiveness of its use is higher. If the patient knows about the allergic reactions of his body to any compound used in the pharmaceutical industry, before using Convulex, you must carefully read the instructions to be sure of the safety of the medication. All allergic reactions should be warned and the doctor recommending the composition to use. Normally, additional components dissolve in the intestine and are eliminated from the body naturally.
If you study the instructions "Convulex" (300 mg), you can notice the mention of the presence in the package of pinkish oval portions of the drug. The manufacturer indicates the geometric parameters of the release: 6 x 13.5 x 8.1 mm. But the release of a lower concentration is slightly different - the capsules are also pink and oval, but less - 3 x 9.8 x 7.3 mm. The largest are those containing 500 mg of acid. Their size is 9.5 x 21.1 x 7.8 mm. All release options are covered with a soft shell made of gelatin.
general information
All commercially available forms are agents for controlling epilepsy. The active component (the previously mentioned acid) is a derivative of fatty acids. If you choose a capsule option from all release forms (for example, with a dosage of the active component 300), the instructions for use of Convulex will make it possible to verify the correct filling of the box. If the correct product is present in the package, the capsules inside are filled with liquid contents that have no color or are painted in a light yellowish tint. Acid is characterized by a peculiar smell.
Since the shell of the drug completely dissolves when it enters the intestine, the active compound is released. The process is strictly localized in the small intestine, through the walls of which the absorption of the beneficial substance occurs. Acid is absorbed quickly, the bioavailability of the compound reaches one hundred percent, and the quality of absorption does not depend on the fact of the meal. Soon, the drug enters the circulatory system, where it is present in plasma in maximum concentration within a couple of hours after ingestion. This is indicated in the instructions for tablets "Convulex". Approximately by the third day of stable therapy, an equilibrium concentration in the circulatory system is observed. The term can be a little shorter or longer by a day, this is determined by the chosen format of administration, the frequency of use of the medication.
Features of internal reactions
As follows from the instructions for the use of Convulex tablets, the therapeutic dose of the active compound in the circulatory system (in plasma) is from 40 to 100 mg per liter of liquid. The compound reacts with plasma proteins, binds in contact with an exceptionally high percentage of biological compounds. If plasma is estimated at a concentration of 50 mg / L relative to total blood volume, then binding reaches 95%. Slightly less indicators (up to 85%) if the plasma concentration is evaluated above the mentioned boundary, but less than 100 mg / l. Significance decreases significantly if the patient suffers from cirrhosis, uremia, hypoproteinemia.
Additional studies were conducted to evaluate the concentration of the active compound in the fluid of the spinal cord. As shown by medical experiments (this is reflected in the instructions of "Convulex"), the indicator depends on the percentage of acid that has not reacted with plasma proteins. Valproic acid is able to penetrate the placenta. When examining nursing women, traces of the drug were found in breast milk, the parameter reaches one tenth of the amount of acid in the patient's plasma component of the blood.
What happens next?
As can be seen from the instructions for use "Convulex" (drops, tablets, ampoules - any form), the drug is processed in the liver. Up to three percent of the active compound ingested is excreted without conversion. All reaction results, residues leave the body through the kidneys, a small percentage of the total amount is excreted by the lungs when breathing. A certain percentage is also excreted by the intestines.
Normally, the duration of the elimination of a portion of the medication is 10-15 hours. If the patient's systems responsible for the conclusions of the components are healthy, the patient undergoes monotherapy. As can be seen from the instructions for the use of Convulex, for children this period is somewhat shorter - from a six-hour time period to ten hours. Elongation is observed in individuals suffering from liver failure. A similar effect can be seen in the treatment of elderly patients.
Drug dynamics
As can be seen from the instructions, “Convulex” (reviews confirm this) is a means to combat epilepsy. The active compound present in the drug has a calming effect, relaxes muscle and heart tissue. When acid enters the body, the enzyme activity of GABA transferase is blocked. In this case, the concentration of GABA increases in the central nervous system. GABA has a negative effect on the discharges of the synaptic reaction, which suppresses convulsive activity, its spread through the central nervous system. Valproic acid has a significant effect on the GABA-A receptors, Na-channels.
When taking Convulex, the effect is observed on postsynaptic receptor sites. Thus, the weakening effect of GABA is simulated or the existing one is enhanced. As can be seen from the instructions of the “Convulex” (drops, syrup, tablets, ampoules - of any form), at present, scientists are not sure to what extent the administration of the drug affects membrane activity, but there is every reason to believe that this is due to a change in the level of potassium conductivity . With the correct and regular use of Convulex, the patient’s mental state becomes better, and his mood normalizes over time. The medication is able to prevent arrhythmia.
When to apply?
All indications are clearly indicated in the Convulex instructions (syrup, ampoules, jelly capsules - there are no differences). First of all, it is a tendency to epileptic seizures. The drug is prescribed both in the partial form and in the diagnosis of the generalized variety. You can use "Convulex" for the treatment of persons suffering from cerebral organic pathologies. In addition, the drug is effective against migraines.
Often, Convulex is prescribed for the diagnosis of depressive manic mental disorder. Reception is especially effective if the course is bipolar. The tool becomes literally indispensable if the patient does not tolerate lithium or there are other contraindications for the use of medicines on this active substance. True, it is very important to follow the instructions for the use of Convulex. The reviews confirm that the use of the medication under medical supervision shows a good effect, the effectiveness is estimated as quite high - as is the tolerability of the drug.
Pills: how to use?
All rules are clearly spelled out in the instruction of "Convulex". The tool is intended for oral administration once a day or twice a day. The capsule does not need to be chewed. It is optimal to swallow the product during a meal or immediately after drinking with a reasonable amount of liquid. The duration of the therapeutic course is chosen by the doctor, evaluating the patient's condition and the body's response to the medication.
When treating an adult patient when choosing “Convulex” as the only means, it is necessary to start with a dosage of 5 mg per kilogram of patient weight up to 15 mg. This amount is calculated for every day. If Convulex is combined with other drugs, then 10-30 mg per kilogram of patient weight is prescribed for each day. Observing the response of the body, the doctor gradually increases the concentration. Normally, the increase reaches 10 mg / kg in one week of treatment. On average, the daily rate recommended in the Convulex instructions is 20-30 mg per kilogram of patient weight. In some cases, the indicator is increased to 30 mg / kg, but only under conditions where it is possible to regularly check the quality of plasma blood proteins by assessing the concentration of the active component in the body.
Requires special care
A specific use of the drug is the treatment of young patients. In general, in such a situation, you should choose Convulex syrup. Instructions for use contain clear recommendations on the use of the medication. In addition to syrup, drops can be a good option. The doctor will recommend a specific form, focusing on the characteristics of the patient.
In the treatment of minors over the age of six, you can use the tablet form. Dosage per day - 10-20 mg per kilogram of patient weight. Gradually, the concentration is increased to 20-30 mg per kilogram of weight. If there are objective indicators to increase the amount of daily medication taken to a level of 40 mg or more (per kilogram), it is necessary to keep the patient’s condition under control, monitoring the quality of the blood and the biochemistry of the body.
Sick aged
As can be seen from the instructions, Convulex in the treatment of elderly patients requires a particularly careful approach. This is due to the difference in pharmacokinetics. There are no generally accepted recommendations regarding the dosage of the drug, in each case, you should focus on the clinical effect, choosing the format of admission individually.
A distinctive feature of this case is the limited ability of the active compound to bind to blood proteins. For this reason, the percentage of unbound drug increases. To minimize the negative consequences of use, it is important to choose the dosage very correctly, use a smaller amount of medication than when treating other groups of hospital clients.
Special restriction
The Konvuleksa instruction pays particular attention to the approach to the treatment of persons suffering from kidney failure. To achieve a positive effect with a minimum probability of side effects, it is necessary to reduce the therapeutic dose of the drug. Specific options are chosen, first assigning the minimum volumes, then gradually increasing them, monitoring the patient's condition, the response of the body. Studies of plasma parameters are not sufficiently informative for the correct choice of the volume of the drug, therefore it is important to monitor the patient's condition as a whole.
Negative consequences
As with any therapy using pharmaceutical products, when using Convulex, there is a chance of side effects. All possible negative reactions are listed in the accompanying product documentation. As can be seen from the instructions, Convulex in ampoules, drops, tablets and other forms can provoke approximately the same negative phenomena associated with the characteristics of the main active component. Medical statistics allow us to confidently state that tolerance is generally high, although side effects are possible in rare cases.
Among the relatively often observed unpleasant phenomena when taking "Convulex" (instructions for the use of drops, capsules, other forms contain a mention of this fact) - gastric, intestinal disorders, changes in appetite, impaired stool. Some patients noted the appearance of flies before the eyes, anemia and other disorders of the blood-forming organs. Possible unpredictable adjustment of body weight, changes in kidney activity, some problems of the female reproductive system (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, mammary glands may become somewhat more voluminous). Some patients have had hair loss, and urinary incontinence is possible in childhood. There are known situations when taking "Convulex" provoked vasculitis, paresthesia.
Rare but unpleasant
With a probability of one in a thousand cases, there is a risk of developing adverse reactions listed in the instructions for use of Convulex (syrup, capsules, ampoules) in the rare category. These are behavioral disorders, lymphocytosis, and liver dysfunction. Your head may hurt. Known situations of the occurrence of lupus erythematosus in systemic form. There is a chance of an allergic reaction.
With a frequency of less than one case out of ten thousand patients, coma, pancreatitis, necrolysis provoked by toxicosis, bone marrow aplasia, an increase in sodium, the reverse form of Fanconi disease, impaired renal function are possible. To prevent such severe outcomes, Convulex should be taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor, following the recommended dosage, and also taking into account all cases of inapplicability of the medication. If any side symptom occurs, you should consult a doctor for a detailed consultation and assessment of the patient's condition. Timely adjustment of the therapeutic program can prevent severe reactions of the body that is not taking the active component.
When is it impossible?
The manufacturer draws attention to the fact that Konvuleks is not intended for the treatment of patients if it is known that the body is hypersensitive to any component used in the production process of the medication. You can not take the drug if the liver, pancreas are working with severe malfunctions, hepatitis is diagnosed (not only acute, but also chronic). "Convulex" is not combined with liver porphyria, thrombocytopenia, diathesis. The tool can not be used if the patient is taking a carbapenem course, a family history includes an indication of severe hepatitis. This includes cases provoked by the use of pharmaceuticals.
"Convulex" is not combined with St. John's wort and the compounds based on it, mefloquine and drugs developed with its use. You can not use the medication during the period of bearing the baby and breastfeeding, since the active substance penetrates into breast milk, overcomes the placental barrier. The drug should not be used in the treatment of persons under the age of six, and for other children up to adulthood it is not used if a depressive manic syndrome characterized by bipolar development is diagnosed.
How to replace?
If it is not possible to get the medicine recommended by the doctor, it makes sense to consider its analogues. Instructions for use of "Convulex" are largely similar, for example, with the preparations "Keppra" and "Depakin". Doctors recommend compulsorily agreeing on a replacement with the attending physician, as it is likely that an alternative drug will not show the desired effectiveness, but will provoke severe negative results, an allergic reaction to the body.
Well-established "Encorat" and "Valparin." As practice shows, many modern patients prefer to replace the drug recommended by the doctor with cheaper analogues, but in the case of Konvuleks this reason is not very relevant, for one package in pharmacies they ask for a little more than a hundred rubles, therefore, if possible, use the exact name which the doctor ordered. If it is absent at all available pharmaceutical points of sale, Convulsofin can be considered as an alternative. Before buying, you must visit your doctor to clarify which name will be the most successful alternative to the selected remedy.
All at once
The manufacturer draws attention to the fact that Convulex is far from being combined with all products of the pharmaceutical industry, and a combination with some means requires dosage adjustment. , , . , . ( «») . , «», . , , , , , .
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As can be seen from the instructions, Konvuleks is applicable for the treatment of young children (over six years of age). In the general case, it is necessary to choose drops, syrup, avoiding other forms of medication. In some cases, the doctor recommends a course of the drug and a child younger than six years of age. In this situation, ampoules, tablets are also not recommended, preference should be given to liquid forms.
How not to make a mistake?
If the patient belongs to a risk group, it is necessary to regularly monitor the vital signs of the body during the first half of the use of Convulex. In the general case, the manufacturer recommends practicing this approach in the treatment of those individuals who are not at risk, but the doctor is guided by the situation, assessing the possibility of such constant monitoring. It is especially important to monitor the condition of the liver. Checking the functionality of the level involves the identification of all key indicators and analysis of deviations from the norm. It is known that at the initial stage of using Convulex, the level of aminoferase may slightly increase - this reaction is considered normal, if the increase is slight, it soon passes.
If the biochemistry study showed non-standard responses of the body, it is necessary to undergo a second diagnosis in order to prevent medical errors, as well as check the liver functionality. Based on the results, the doctor decides on a dosage adjustment. In any of the options, the patient is registered for analysis of the liver, until all parameters come back to normal. In some cases, the doctor decides to discontinue treatment.
As for the reviews, as mentioned above, the drug receives them mainly in a positive way. Patients are satisfied in most cases. And only some cases of the use of the medication (with side effects) do not satisfy patients.