People suffering from epilepsy should take antiepileptic drugs regularly. They help prevent the development of seizures, and also improve the general well-being and condition of the patient.
What kind of drugs should be used by patients with epilepsy should be determined only by an experienced doctor. The most effective and popular anticonvulsants include Paglüferal. Instructions for use of this medication will be described below. You will also learn about the form in which this drug goes on sale, whether it is possible to give it to children, what properties it has and so on.
Description, packaging, composition and form
The drug "Paglüferal", the instructions for use of which is contained in packs of cardboard, goes on sale in the form of white tablets with a facet and a risk.
This product contains active ingredients such as phenobarbital, caffeine sodium benzoate, brominated, calcium gluconate and papaverine hydrochloride. As for excipients, they include potato starch and calcium stearate.
You can buy this medication in blister packs and packs of thick paper, respectively.
It should immediately be noted that on the shelves of pharmacies such a drug can be found in the following names: “Paglüferal-1”, “Paglüferal-2” and “Paglüferal-3”. The instruction for use reports that the difference between these agents is in the quantitative ratio of phenobarbital (25, 35 and 50 mg, respectively).
Pharmacology
What is the medicine "Paglüferal"? Instructions for use (tablets should be prescribed only by an experienced specialist) states that this is a combined antiepileptic drug.
According to experts, phenobarbital is able to interact with the “barbiturate” portion of the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex. Due to this, the drug in question increases the sensitivity of GABA receptors to GABA, and also opens up neuronal channels for transporting chlorine ions, which contributes to an increase in their entry into cells.
Phenobarbital also reduces the spread of nerve impulses and the excitability of neurons in the epileptogenic focus. It exhibits antagonism in relation to a number of exciting mediators.
What other properties are inherent in Paglüferal tablets? The instruction says that they are able to suppress sensory areas of the cerebral cortex, reduce motor activity, and inhibit cerebral functions, including the respiratory center. Also, this medication reduces the tone of the muscles of the digestive tract, has an anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic and antispasmodic effect.
Features of the medication
In addition to phenobarbital, the composition of the drug in question includes other active components.
What role does caffeine play in Pagluferal? Instructions for use indicate that this substance is able to increase the reflex excitability of the spinal cord, stimulate the vasomotor and respiratory centers, stimulate metabolic processes in tissues and organs, including muscles and central nervous system.
Papaverine hydrochloride is an antispasmodic. It has a hypotensive effect. This component in the composition of the drug reduces tone and relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels and internal organs.
Calcium gluconate is able to compensate for the lack of calcium ions, which are essential for the transmission of nerve impulses.
As for bromized, it has a moderate hypnotic and sedative effect.
Kinetic properties
Is the drug “Paglüferal-1” absorbed into the general bloodstream? Instructions for use indicate that each active component of this medication has its own kinetic features.
- Phenobarbital is absorbed completely, but slowly (within 1-2 hours). Its metabolism is carried out in the liver. The half-life of this component is 2-5 days. It is excreted from the body by the kidneys.
- Caffeine is absorbed quite well throughout the intestines. The maximum concentration of this substance is reached after 50-75 minutes. It is metabolized in the liver, and excreted through the kidneys.
- The average bioavailability of papaverine is 54%. With plasma proteins, it binds to 90%. Metabolism occurs in the liver, and is excreted through the kidneys.
- About 1/5 of the dose of calcium gluconate taken is absorbed in the small intestine. About 20% of this substance is excreted through the kidneys, and the rest - along with feces.
Indications
What diseases prescribe such a drug as Paglüferal-2? Instructions for use states that this tool is intended for the treatment of epilepsy.
Contraindications
What contraindications does the Paglüferal medication have? Instructions for use (for newborns this drug is not prescribed) reports the following prohibitions:
- hyperkinesis;
- severe hepatic and renal failure;
- myasthenia gravis;
- drug dependence;
- depression;
- severe anemia;
- hyperthyroidism;
- porphyria;
- active alcoholism;
- diabetes;
- pregnancy;
- hypofunction of the adrenal glands ;
- lactation period;
- bronchial obstructive diseases;
- hypersensitivity.
Antiepileptic tablets are prescribed for children from three years. With caution, it is recommended for people with a weakened state (general).
The drug "Paglüferal": instructions for use
The medication in question is taken orally after a meal. Its dosage depends on the form of release.
Paglüferal-1 and Paglüferal-2 preparations are taken twice a day ":
- in 3-4 years - 1 tablet;
- in five to six years, 1.5 tablets;
- in seven to nine years - 2 pcs.;
- at ten to fourteen years old - 3 and 2.5 pcs. respectively;
- from fourteen years old - 4 pcs.
Paglüferal-3 medication is also taken twice a day:
- at seven to nine years - 1 tablet twice a day;
- at ten to fourteen years - 1.5 tablets;
- from fourteen years - 2 pcs.
Side effects
Taking the drug in question can cause:
- hallucinations, weakness, dizziness, nystagmus, ataxia, dysarthria, sleep disturbances, paradoxical reactions;
- constipation, nausea, diarrhea, increased activity of hepatic transaminases, vomiting;
- thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, megaloblastic anemia;
- tachycardia, changes in blood pressure, extrasystole, arrhythmia, AV block;
- systemic allergic reactions, drug dependence (with prolonged use).
Overdose Signs
Elevated doses of the drug can cause increased adverse reactions. To eliminate such signs apply:
- gastric lavage;
- symptomatic therapy;
- activated carbon intake.
Drug interaction
Treatment with valproate and phenytoin increases the level of serum phenobarbital.
"Paglüferal" is able to inhibit the action of oral contraceptives and salicylates.
When combined with Reserpine, the effect of phenobarbital increases, while when combined with Amitriptyline, Diazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Nialamide and Acetazolamide it decreases.
Paglüferal medicine reduces the level of corticosteroids in the blood, as well as indirect anticoagulants, Doxycycline, Griseofulvin, estrogen and other drugs that undergo oxidation in the liver.
This drug inhibits the action of sulfonamides, antibacterial activity and the antifungal effect of Griseofulvin. In addition, it potentiates the effects of antipsychotics, ethanol, narcotic analgesics, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills and sedatives.
Reviews and analogues
According to experts, the drug in question has no analogues that are similar in composition. Therefore, to replace it, the patient should consult an experienced doctor.
Consumers argue that buying this medication without a medical prescription will not work, although it is quite affordable.
People who systematically took this antiepileptic drug, note its positive effect. However, some of them still complain of a large number of side effects.