For allergic manifestations, doctors prescribe Pipolfen. Instructions for use reports that this tool is an antihistamine. This is a rather old medicine, it belongs to the first generation anti-allergic medicines. Unlike more modern antihistamines, Pipolfen has a sedative effect. This can be considered an undesirable effect, but in some cases it allows the drug to be used as a sedative.
Composition, form of release and effect of the drug
The active substance of the drug is promethazine hydrochloride. This is a substance of the phenothiazine group. A special hormone, histamine, is formed in the body tissues. This compound plays a large role in causing an allergic reaction. Promethazine does not inhibit the production of histamine, but it blocks receptors that are sensitive to this substance. This reduces inflammation, itching and skin rashes with allergies. In addition, the drug can be used as a sedative, antipyretic and antiemetic.
Pipolfen is produced in ampoules and in tablets (dragees). Any form of release contains 25 mg of active substance.
Pipolfen tablets look like shiny dragees of light color. They contain auxiliary ingredients: talc, stearic compounds, starch, lactose, sucrose, gelatin and dyes. These components contribute to better absorption of the drug.
Pipolfen in ampoules is a clear liquid. The composition of the solution, in addition to promethazine, includes hydroquinone, potassium disulfite, sulfite and sodium chloride, as well as distilled water. The volume of each ampoule is 2 ml.
Indications
Instructions "Pipolfen" recommends using this tool to treat allergic reactions. The following diseases can serve as an indication for the use of the drug:
- hives;
- Quincke's edema;
- runny nose and conjunctivitis of allergic genesis;
- hay fever;
- negative immune response to the introduction of sera;
- pathologies accompanied by skin itching.
With anaphylactic shock, the drug is prescribed during the recovery period, after all acute symptoms have been stopped.
The medicine has found use as a sedative. It is used before surgery and after surgery. Instructions "Pipolfen" in ampoules allows the use of drugs in the composition of lytic mixtures.
As an anti-emetic, Pipolfen is used before long trips on transport or air travel to prevent nausea and dizziness.
With a severe cold with a high temperature, the medicine is prescribed as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic.
Contraindications
Not all patients can take this medication. Instructions for use "Pipolfen" reports the following absolute contraindications to the use of the drug:
- Coma and shock. The drug may enhance signs of central nervous system depression.
- Nocturnal respiratory arrest (apnea). An antihistamine drug inhibits respiratory function.
- Poisoning with alcohol, narcotic analgesics and sleeping pills. The drug may aggravate the suppression of vital body functions.
- Glaucoma. Promethazine increases intraocular pressure.
- Hypersensitivity to the active component. If the patient has had an allergy to any phenothiazine derivatives in the past, then Pipolfen should not be taken.
- The medicine is not prescribed for vomiting of unknown origin.
- The drug should not be used with antidepressants from the group of MAO inhibitors. The combination of these drugs can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and impaired muscle tone and movements. Between taking "Pipolfen" and MAO inhibitors, you must take a break of at least 14 days.
- Lactose intolerance. This substance is part of the dragee.
- Tablets are not prescribed for children under 6 years of age, the drug in the form of injections can be used at the age of 2 months.
- Pregnancy and lactation. The safety of the drug during the period of gestation has not been studied, therefore, this drug is not recommended. The drug passes into breast milk. Promethazine can cause seizures and motor impairment in the infant, so breastfeeding is interrupted if treatment is necessary.
In addition, the instructions for "Pipolfen" provide relative contraindications for the appointment of this medication:
- ulcerative processes in the digestive system;
- acute respiratory infections accompanied by severe coughing;
- oppression of blood formation;
- epileptic seizures;
- severe cardiovascular pathologies;
- kidney and liver disease;
- disorders of the urination process;
- Reye's syndrome (liver failure with encephalopathy);
- senile age.
In these cases, the drug is taken only when absolutely necessary, in reduced doses and under the supervision of a doctor.
Unwanted effects
In some patients, the drug may cause unwanted symptoms. Since the drug has sedative properties, the central nervous system most often reacts negatively to its administration. Instructions for use "Pipolfen" reports the following side effects:
- drowsiness
- inhibitions;
- visual impairment;
- dizziness
- unpleasant dreams;
- confusion of consciousness;
- disorientation;
- nocturnal respiratory arrest (apnea).
When using high doses, a violation of muscle tone and movements (extrapyramidal disorders) and seizures (in children) are possible.
The medicine has a weak anticholinergic effect, so it can cause excessive dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and nose, urinary retention, accommodation spasm, sensation of noise and ringing in the ears.
In people with hypersensitivity to phenothiazine derivatives, the appearance of dermatitis, urticaria, airway spasm and rash, which is aggravated by the action of sunlight, is possible.
Instructions for use "Pipolfen" warns of other undesirable effects: cardiac arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure, nausea, constipation, decreased bile secretion.
While taking the drug, a decrease in the number of leukocytes and platelets in the general blood test is possible.
The recommended dosage of the drug should be carefully observed. Exceeding the permissible amount of dragees or injection solution leads to serious intoxication. An overdose in children is especially difficult. Kids become excessively anxious and excitable, they have cramps and hallucinations, their body temperature rises sharply. A characteristic sign of an overdose is dilated and motionless pupils. Instructions for use dragee "Pipolfen" recommends keeping the drug out of the reach of the child in order to avoid accidental poisoning.
In adults, an overdose is accompanied by convulsions, lethargy, respiratory depression, a sharp decrease in blood pressure. In severe cases, collapse and coma occurs. At the first signs of intoxication, it is necessary to rinse the patient's stomach and give enterosorbent. Then you need to urgently call a doctor. There are no antidotes against promethazine; in the hospital, the patient is injected with anticonvulsant drugs and symptomatic poisoning therapy is performed.
How to apply the medicine
The instruction for the use of Pipolfen tablets recommends that this agent be prescribed in the following doses:
- Allergic reactions: 1-2 tablets per day.
- Prevention and treatment of vomiting and nausea: 1 tablet a day.
- From "motion sickness" while traveling: 1 tablet for 1 hour before the trip and another 1 tablet after 8-12 hours.
- In surgery: 1-2 tablets the night before surgery. As part of lytic mixtures - 50 mg into a vein 2.5 hours before surgery.
For children 6-12 years old, the dosage of the drug is calculated individually depending on age and weight.
Instructions for use "Pipolfen" in ampoules allows for intramuscular and intravenous administration of the drug. The following doses of medication are recommended:
- For allergies, nausea and vomiting: 25 mg (1 ampoule) per muscle 1 time per day. If necessary, injections are repeated every 4-6 hours.
- In surgery: 25-50 mg at night in the muscle before surgery. In the composition of lytic mixtures of 50 mg 2.5 hours before surgery.
- To prepare for bronchoscopy and eye surgery: 0.15-0.3 mg per 1 kg of a person’s weight intravenously.
- Children from 2 months: 0.5-1 mg per 1 kg of weight per muscle (dose is divided into 3-5 injections per day).
special instructions
While taking the medicine, you must refrain from drinking alcohol. The combined use of Pipolfen and ethanol can provoke respiratory depression.
During the treatment period, it is necessary to periodically undergo a study on liver enzymes and take a general blood test.
Instructions for use "Pipolfen" in tablets and ampoules warns that taking the drug may distort the results of some diagnostic studies. For example, a pregnancy test during a treatment course can give a false positive. Blood glucose levels may increase. This must be considered when analyzing the glycemic curve. If a skin test for allergens is performed, then Pipolfen should be canceled 3 days before the study.
The drug dries the mucous membranes and reduces salivation. Because of this, the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and fungal infection of the oral cavity increases. This medicine increases the likelihood of seizures. Therefore, people prone to involuntary muscle contractions should be careful when taking an antihistamine.
In some cases, the doctor may take the symptoms of the disease for side effects of Pipolfen. For example, Reye's syndrome (a serious complication of viral infections) in children is often accompanied by seizures. But the antihistamine also has the same side effect. Therefore, with such diseases, Pipolfen is prescribed with caution.
At the first time after the start of therapy, you should refuse to drive a car. These days, the sedative effect of the drug is especially pronounced. In the future, driving a car is permissible only if the patient does not feel lethargy, drowsiness, as well as a deterioration in concentration and speed of reaction.
Interaction with other medicines
This antihistamine can interact with many other medicines. Therefore, when prescribing a medicine, it is necessary to inform the doctor about all the drugs that the patient is taking. Above mentioned the incompatibility of the drug with antidepressants of the group of MAO inhibitors.
Instructions for use "Pipolfen" reports on the ability of this tool to enhance the action of the following drugs:
- painkillers;
- sleeping pills;
- tranquilizers;
- antipsychotics;
- anesthetics;
- drugs for high blood pressure;
- hormonal drugs with prolactin;
- anticholinergic blockers.
Pipolfen may also reduce the effectiveness of the following drugs:
- preparations with ephedrine;
- anti-Parkinsonian medicines;
- Guanethidine;
- funds with dopamine.
Some medicines reduce the effectiveness of Pipolfen. These include barbiturates and Bromocriptine. Tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers and anticholinergics enhance the action of the antihistamine.
It is dangerous to take Pipolfen together with Klofelin, Quinidine and epilepsy medications. This can lead to suppression of respiratory function and cardiac activity.
How to store dragees and ampoules
It is recommended to store dragees at a temperature of +15 to +25 degrees. Tablets can be used within 5 years from the date of manufacture. Storage conditions for injection are similar. This expiration date is determined by the instruction "Pipolfen" in tablets and ampoules.
Drug price
It is quite difficult to get a drug in the form of dragees. In pharmacy chains, Pipolfen is much more common in the form of a solution for injection. On average, the price of tablets is from 250 to 300 rubles (20 pieces). Ampoules are more expensive - from 640 to 1200 rubles (10 pieces).
The drug is dispensed from pharmacies strictly according to the prescription. You can not use it yourself.
Analogues of the drug
Due to the fact that the preparation in the form of tablets is difficult to obtain, patients are interested in Pipolfen analogues. These drugs include diprazine. It also contains promethazine. However, this drug has long been absent in Russian pharmacy chains, therefore its price is unknown.
You can choose analogues for therapeutic effect. These include the following antihistamines:
- Diphenhydramine.
- Suprastin.
- Tavegil.
- Claritin.
- Zirtek.
- "Erius."
"Diphenhydramine", "Suprastin" and "Tavegil" have not only anti-allergic, but also a sedative effect. These are the first generation antihistamines. The same effect is reported by the instructions for the use of Pipolfen. Reviews of analogues indicate drowsiness after using these funds. However, a sedative effect on the nervous system allows the use of these medicines in surgical operations. Especially pronounced hypnotic effect is the drug "Diphenhydramine".
First-generation antihistamines are inexpensive. The price of Dimedrol is from 10 to 30 rubles, Suprastin is from 100 to 150 rubles, and Tavegila is from 130 to 200 rubles.
Claritin, Zirtek, and Erius are newer products. They relieve allergy symptoms, but do not affect the central nervous system. They cannot be used as sedatives and antiemetics. These drugs cost more than first-generation drugs. The price of Claritin is from 250 to 700 rubles, Zirtek is from 200 to 500 rubles, and Erius is from 520 to 920 rubles.
Reviews about the drug
You can find both positive and negative reviews about the use of Pipolfen. Most patients note the effectiveness of this medication for the relief of allergy symptoms. In order to relieve itching, rashes and inflammation, sometimes one injection of the drug is enough. This is a powerful and proven remedy for allergic reactions.
There are positive reviews about the use of this tool for motion sickness. If you take the drug an hour before the trip, it will reliably relieve unpleasant dizziness and nausea.
However, many allergy sufferers are unhappy with the hypnotic effect of this drug. Such a drug is difficult to take in the daytime or during work. In patients prone to hypertension or hypotension, the drug caused pressure surges. Therefore, many patients prefer to take more modern allergy medications.