For many neurological diseases, doctors prescribe the drug Finlepsin. Reviews about the drug indicate that this remedy is effective in epilepsy and neuralgia. Also, the tool is used in psychiatric practice as a normomitic that evens out mood. It is often prescribed not only as an anticonvulsant, but also as a sedative. Most patients tolerate this medicine well and are satisfied with its effectiveness. However, some patients report a sedative effect of the drug and refuse to use it. To understand the benefits and harms of this tool, you need to study its composition and effect on the body.
Composition and effect of the drug
The active component of the drug is carbamazepine. The drug is released in tablets containing 200 mg of the active substance. There is also a prolonged form - Finlepsin Retard. It is produced in a dosage of 200 mg and 400 mg.
Carbamazepine blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve cells. As a result, the speed of the pulse during neurotransmission decreases. This leads to an increase in the seizure threshold. The likelihood of an attack of epilepsy is significantly reduced.
Carbamazepine acts not only as an anticonvulsant. It affects the body as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent. Instructions for use and reviews of "Finlepsin" note the pronounced calming effect of this drug on the psyche.
In addition, carbamazepine has an analgesic effect, which allows it to be used for neuralgia. This substance also works as an antidiuretic, it slightly reduces the excretion of urine.
Indications
The list of indications for the use of the drug is quite extensive. It is used in neurology, psychiatry and other branches of medicine. Instructions "Finlepsin" and reviews report on the effectiveness of this medication for the following pathologies:
- epilepsy;
- seizures with multiple sclerosis;
- pain associated with nerve damage in diabetes;
- neuralgia of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerve;
- paroxysmal conditions with speech impairment, spastic phenomena and pain;
- bipolar and schizoaffective disorders with manifestations of depression and mania;
- alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Contraindications
However, not in all cases, this drug can be prescribed. It is contraindicated in patients with impaired functioning of the circulatory and cardiovascular system, as well as with increased sensitivity to carbamazepine or tricyclic antidepressants.
In case of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, this medicine can be prescribed only if the patient has been abstaining from alcohol for some time and there is no ethanol in his body. In acute intoxication, the medicine should not be taken. The seriousness of the patient’s intention to give up alcohol is also important. If the patient has frequent breakdowns, then the drug is canceled, since it is incompatible with alcohol.
Caution is necessary when prescribing "Finlepsin" to patients with impaired liver and kidney function, as well as pathologies of the pituitary and adrenal glands, high intraocular pressure and enlarged prostate gland.
If a woman suffers from a severe form of epilepsy, then she has to take the drug during pregnancy. In this case, the doctor should evaluate and weigh the possible benefits for the patient and the likely risk to the fetus. It was found that this drug increases the risk of developmental abnormalities in the child. Therefore, if it is not possible to completely abandon this medication during the period of gestation, then the minimum dose is used.
Carbamazepine passes into breast milk. If a woman has to take medicine while feeding her baby, then medical monitoring of the condition of the baby is necessary.
Undesirable effects and overdose
Instructions for the use of Finlepsin tablets and reviews indicate side effects of the drug. The central nervous system primarily responds to this medicine. The following undesirable symptoms occur:
- A person becomes lethargic and sleepy.
- Dizziness and motor coordination disorders appear. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the patient to even stand (ataxia), but this usually happens when the recommended dose is exceeded.
- Speech becomes blurry and fuzzy.
- When taking large doses, there is double vision and tinnitus.
- From the side of the psyche, a paradoxical reaction in the form of an excited state is possible.
In addition to the central nervous system, a hematopoietic system can respond to the drug. In patients, deviations in the general blood test may appear: a decrease in the number of leukocytes and platelets. Therefore, during prolonged treatment, it is advisable to periodically conduct a hematological examination.
In people prone to allergic reactions, the medicine can cause itchy skin, hives. Temporary endocrine disorders may occur that lead to edema and weight gain. From the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth are possible.
In reviews of Finlepsin tablets you can find information about nightmares and hallucinations after taking the drug. This is a pretty rare occurrence. Usually, the medicine causes a deep and deep sleep. It is possible that such a reaction is associated with individual hypersensitivity to the drug. In these cases, you need to see a doctor and consult about a replacement medicine.
The dosage of the medicine must be carefully observed. If the patient accidentally missed taking the drug, then you do not need to double the number of tablets the next time. An overdose of this drug is extremely dangerous and leads to serious intoxication. Poisoning is expressed in a sharp disorder of coordination of movements, impaired clarity of speech, inability to stand and walk, inhibition of respiratory and nervous function. In this condition, you should immediately call a doctor. Gastric lavage is not always possible. Carbamazepine relaxes the muscles of the internal organs. As a result, it is difficult to induce vomiting in the patient. In the hospital, the patient will undergo symptomatic treatment, since there is no special antidote against carbamazepine.
How to take the drug
The amount of medicine is selected individually for each patient. The highest dosages are used in the treatment of epilepsy, they can be from 200 to 1200 mg. The amount of the drug is increasing gradually, starting with small doses. At the end of the course of therapy, the dosage is also slowly reduced. It is impossible to abruptly cancel the medicine, this can lead to exacerbation of epilepsy.
For diseases associated with neuralgic pain, 200 to 800 mg of the drug is prescribed. For pathologies of mental and alcohol withdrawal, it is recommended to take from 200 to 600 mg of this drug.
special instructions
During treatment, you need to completely abandon alcohol. Alcohol enhances the side effects of Finlepsin and causes respiratory depression. If the drug is prescribed for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, then you need to wait for the complete removal of ethanol from the body.
Patient reviews of Finlepsin indicate its significant effect on concentration and speed of response. Therefore, during treatment, you need to abandon driving a car and perform complex work.
Compatibility with other medicines
The drug interacts with many medicines. If the patient is taking any other medications, it is necessary to inform the attending physician before prescribing Finlepsin. The following combinations are undesirable:
- With lithium preparations and antidepressants from the group of MAO inhibitors. This combination is an absolute contraindication to the use of drugs with carbamazepine.
- With macrolide antibiotics, antifungal agents (azoles) and antiarrhythmic drugs from the group of calcium channel blockers. These drugs dramatically increase the effect of Finlepsin.
- With preparations containing paracetamol. At the same time, the hepatotoxicity of carbamazepine and antipyretic drugs increases.
- With antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants. This increases the inhibition of the respiratory system.
- With other anticonvulsants and tetracycline antibiotics. These agents weaken the therapeutic effect of carbamazepine.
- Finlepsin reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives and other drugs with female sex hormones. During treatment, it is recommended to additionally use barrier methods of contraception.
Storage, price and analogues
Finlepsin tablets should be stored at a temperature not exceeding +30 degrees. They can be used for 3 years. From pharmacy chains, this medicine is released on prescription. The price of the drug is from 180 to 340 rubles.
You can choose the structural analogues of the drug. These are preparations containing the active ingredient - carbamazepine. These include:
- Tegretol;
- Carbalepsin
- Zeptol;
- "Carbamazepine".
Indications and contraindications for their use are the same as in the instructions for use of Finlepsin. Reviews of analogues indicate that the listed drugs are no less effective. However, doctors and pharmacologists believe that Finlepsin acts softer than Carbamazepine, as it has a higher degree of purification.
The cheapest drug is "Carbamazepine", its price is from 50 to 60 rubles. A little more expensive is Zeptol - from 75 to 100 rubles. The price of Tegretol and Carbalepsin is approximately equal to the cost of Finlepsin.
Doctors reviews
Reviews of doctors about Finlepsin are mostly positive. Experts believe this tool is effective in convulsive and convulsive disorders. The drug helps not only to prevent an attack, but also to correct the epileptoid accentuation of character.
This medicine is also prescribed as an anesthetic for neuralgia. Doctors believe that it helps well, but the therapeutic effect does not develop immediately, but after some time.
Psychiatrists believe that the drug helps to even out the patient's mood with bipolar and affective disorders. Also, experts use it in the treatment of addictions: alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling.
Positive patient reviews
You can find a lot of positive reviews about Finlepsin and from patients. People suffering from epilepsy and other types of convulsive cramps note that regular medication saves them from attacks. At the same time, mood improves, nervousness and irritability disappear. This is the antidepressant effect of the drug.
Reviews of Finlepsin with trigeminal neuralgia indicate that even with a small dose of the drug, the condition has significantly improved in patients. The facial pains that bothered for a long time finally disappeared completely after a course of treatment. However, there was only a slight drowsiness during the day.
This medicine is prescribed for patients with other pains of neuralgic origin: with shingles, osteochondrosis and other pathologies. Unpleasant sensations disappear at the beginning of the course of treatment. In addition, a person feels the calming effect of the drug, which also contributes to the disappearance of neurological pain.
Negative patient reviews
If negative reviews about Finlepsin. Basically, patients complain of lethargy, dizziness and drowsiness. Such phenomena are especially pronounced in the early days of taking the medicine. Some patients report that they overslept almost the whole day after the first use of tablets. In the future, the body adapts to the drug. It is advisable to take most of the medication in the evening, this will provide a deep and healthy sleep.
There are reviews of Finlepsin, which reported temporary mental disorders in the form of unpleasant dreams, delirium and hallucinations. These side effects are found in older people. It is important to remember that in old age it is necessary to take a reduced amount of the drug. In these cases, you need to contact your doctor, the specialist will adjust the dose of the drug.