At what dose is the drug “Relaxon” prescribed? Instructions for the use of the medication will be discussed below. You will also learn about whether this medicine has analogues, how much it costs, in which cases it is not prescribed, etc.
Form, description, composition and packaging
The drug "Relaxon" is available in the form of round biconvex tablets of white color, film-coated. The active substance of this medicine is zopiclone. The medication also includes the following excipients: methoxypropyl cellulose , microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, potato starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, sodium carboxymethyl starch, povidone, macrogol, magnesium stearate and titanium dioxide.
What packaging do the Relaxax tablets go on sale in? Instructions for use are enclosed in a pack of cardboard, where the contour cells with the drug are also placed.
Pharmacodynamic characteristic
How does the drug "Relax"? Instructions for use reports that this is a sleeping pill that belongs to the cyclopyrrolone group. Structurally, it differs from barbiturates and sleeping pills benzodiazepine series. This drug is an agonist of benzodiazepine receptors. Interacting with them, it does not enter into communication with peripheral receptors.
Drug properties
What are the properties of the drug "Relax"? Reviews of experts report that this tool is able to have a sedative, moderate anticonvulsant hypnotic, muscle relaxant and tranquilizing effects. All of them are associated with the action of GABA macromolecular complex receptors.
After taking the pill, the inhibitory effect of GABA is enhanced, and interneuron transmission in the central nervous system is also suppressed.
Sleeping pills "Relax" significantly shortens the time to fall asleep, reduces the number of awakenings at night and improves sleep quality. Also, this drug increases the duration of sleep and practically does not cause such postsomnic effects as drowsiness and weakness in the morning.
There is no addiction to the action of the drug. Therefore, it can be taken periodically for up to 17 weeks.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
The drug "Relax", the price of which is indicated below, is absorbed quite quickly and is observed in the blood after 2 hours. Eating does not affect the absorption of the drug. At 45%, it binds to blood proteins.
Even after several doses of tablets, the accumulation of their active substance, as well as metabolites, is not observed.
The half-life of zopiclone and major metabolites is 7.5 and 4.5 hours, and unchanged zopiclone is 5.5 hours. Approximately 80% of the drug is excreted together with urine, and 17-20% with feces.
In the elderly, the metabolism of the drug in the liver is slightly reduced. At the same time, its half-life is extended to 7 hours. As for the accumulation of the active substance, with repeated administration of tablets it is not detected.
Indications for use
What to do with insomnia? Doctors recommend taking Relaxax. This medication is intended for the treatment of chronic, situational and transient insomnia in adults. Also, it is actively used by those who have difficulty falling asleep, early and night awakenings.
Contraindications
Relaxon tablets are not recommended in the following cases:
- with increased sensitivity to the main substance of the drug;
- with severe myasthenia gravis;
- during pregnancy;
- with sleep apnea ;
- with respiratory failure;
- with severe liver failure;
- under the age of 18 years.
The drug "Relax": instructions for use
Before taking sleeping pills, it is recommended to consult a doctor. It is also necessary to study the attached instructions.
Relaxax tablets (international name - Zopiclone) are taken orally, shortly before sleep. For adults, this drug is prescribed at a dose of 7.5 mg. The maximum amount of sleeping pills is 15 mg.
The total duration of the use of tablets should not be more than one month. In each case, the duration of therapy is determined individually, depending on the condition of the patient and the form of insomnia.
Take the drug with transient insomnia, preferably about 3-5 days, and in case of situational - 2.5-3 weeks. The duration of the course of treatment of chronic insomnia should be determined only by a doctor.
Elderly people with chronic pulmonary insufficiency, as well as with impaired liver function, are prescribed 3.75 mg of the drug. If necessary, the indicated dosage can be increased to 7.5 mg.
Treatment of insomnia in patients with renal failure also begins with ½ tablet, i.e. with 3.75 mg.
Overdose cases
Taking large doses of sleeping pills causes depression of the central nervous system of varying severity (from pronounced drowsiness to coma).
Overdose therapy begins with gastric lavage. Next, the patient is prescribed sorbents.
Symptomatic treatment and monitoring of vital functions of the body are also carried out. The drug "Flumazenil" is used as an antidote.
Side effects
What adverse reactions does “Relaxon” cause? The reviews of experienced specialists report that this medication can contribute to the development of the following phenomena:
- nausea, dryness, and bitterness in the mouth;
- dizziness, headache, slight drowsiness in the morning;
- nightmares, aggressiveness, irritability, hallucinations, worsening of mood and depression, as well as the development of amnesia (very rare);
- itching, rash, anaphylactic reactions (extremely rare);
- increased liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase.
It should also be noted that in rare cases, the drug causes a “withdrawal” syndrome and, as a result, rebound insomnia.
Drug interaction
Now you know what to do with insomnia. Taking the drug "Relax" should be extremely careful, especially with the simultaneous use of other medicines.
According to the attached instructions, an increase in the inhibitory effect on the central nervous system of this drug occurs when combined with antidepressants, antipsychotics, anesthetics, tranquilizers, sedatives and hypnotics, as well as Erythromycin, antiepileptic and antihistamines, narcotic analgesics.
It is highly recommended not to use alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing medicines at the same time as Relaxon. This is due to the fact that such a combination can enhance its sedative effect.
Taking sleeping pills significantly reduces the concentration of perfonal or trimipramine in the blood. This fact should be taken into account when they are simultaneously prescribed.
Special recommendations for taking sleeping pills
What you need to know before taking the drug "Relax" (analogues of this tool are listed below)?
In people with nocturnal asthma attacks in combination with methylxanthine medications, sleeping pills reduce the number of attacks in the morning hours, and also reduces their intensity and duration.
When prescribing "Relax" should not completely exclude the possibility of development of addiction. The risk of drug dependence arises in the following cases:
- in violation of the duration of treatment and dosages;
- with the abuse of alcohol or other drugs;
- when combined with alcohol or other psychotropic drugs.
In order to avoid the "withdrawal" syndrome, stop taking the drug gradually, minimizing the dosage.
When taking sleeping pills, the patient may experience anterograde amnesia. As a rule, it manifests itself upon interruption of sleep, as well as after a long period of time between taking the medicine and going to bed.
To reduce such risks, it is necessary:
- provide a duration of sleep of at least 6 hours;
- take the medicine immediately before bedtime.
The medication in question is not indicated for the treatment of depression. It can mask her symptoms.
An effective and safe dose of Relaxon in children and adolescents under the age of 18 has not been established by specialists. Therefore, taking the drug at this age is prohibited.
Due to the pharmacological properties of sleeping pills, it can adversely affect the patient’s ability to drive vehicles, as well as engage in hazardous activities that require increased attention and a quick response. In this regard, during treatment with this drug should be extremely careful.
Sleeping pills "Relax": price and analogues
How can I replace the drug "Relax"? This drug has many analogues. The most effective medications are: Milovan, Imovan, Thorson, Somnol, Slipwell, Zolinoks, Piklodorm, Zopiclon.
All of these drugs, including Relaxon, are dispensed in pharmacies only by prescription. As for the price, then the funds in question are not very high. 20 tablets of sleeping pills (7.5 mg each) can be purchased for 120-160 rubles.
Reviews about sleeping pills
According to experts, the drug "Relax" is a third-generation sleeping pill. By the way, “Zaleplon” with “Zolpidem” is also referred to them. These medicines are highly effective and absolutely safe.
Patients report that after taking sleeping pills, their quality of sleep improved markedly. At the same time, the fast-phase sleep necessary to restore the psycho-emotional state was completely preserved.
The medication in question has a good effect on the slow-wave phase of sleep, which is extremely important for the physical recovery of the human body.
According to experts, this drug helps to normalize sleep patterns in all types of disorders. However, he has the least chance of addiction.
Testimonials of patients indicate that Relaxon sleeping pills are well tolerated without any effect on human daily activity. However, doctors do not recommend taking this medicine at their discretion. The patient must always consult a doctor and observe all the recommended dosages.