The human nervous system is the command post of the whole organism. In the presence of problems, deviations in development can be observed, both in the physical and in the emotional and mental. Currently, there are a huge number of drugs that can work wonders and help cope with many ailments. One of them is Ziprex. The article will discuss the instructions for use for this medicine. Ziprex is a drug that is often prescribed for deviations in the functioning of the nervous system.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
This drug belongs to the group of antipsychotics with a wide range of effects on many receptor systems. Numerous studies have been conducted, during which it was revealed that olanzapine, the active substance of this drug, has antagonism with respect to serotonin, dopamine and cholinergic receptors.
It was also found that olanzapine reduces the excitability of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons and has a small effect on the striatal neural pathways that are involved in the regulation of motor functions.
The active substance of the drug enhances the anti-anxiety effect during the anxiolytic test.
Ziprex medicine is available in two forms:
- In the form of film-coated tablets.
- Lyophilisate for solution for injection.
The drug contains olanzapine as the main active ingredient. Auxiliary components in tablets are:
- Crospovidone.
- Magnesium stearate.
- Lactose Monohydrate.
- Cellulose.
- Hyprolose
The film coating of the tablets includes white dye, blue food ink, carnauba wax and hypromellose.
The composition of the lyophilisate for the preparation of a solution for injection includes, in addition to the main active substance, lactose monohydrate and tartaric acid.
In what form to prescribe a drug to treat a patient, only a doctor should decide.
Indications for use of the drug
The drug "Ziprex" has extensive indications for use, most often it is prescribed for the following conditions:
- Schizophrenia in acute form.
- Nervous disorders accompanied by delirium, hallucinations, and disordered thinking.
- Pronounced hostility and suspicion in nervous disorders.
- Emotional or social isolation.
- Affective symptoms against the background of developed schizophrenia.
- As a prophylactic of relapses of schizophrenia.
- Dementia
You should not prescribe a drug for yourself without consulting a specialist, such treatment is fraught with serious consequences.
Drug treatment regimen
What does the instructions for use say about this? "Ziprex" is prescribed at the beginning of the treatment of schizophrenia in a minimum dosage. At first, it will be enough to take 10 mg of the drug once a day. Eating does not affect the effectiveness of the treatment.
The therapeutic dosage of the drug can vary from 5 to 20 mg, but it is set individually for each patient, taking into account his condition. After all the studies, if the patient tolerates the drug well, you can increase the dose, but only under the supervision of a doctor.
In the presence of persecution mania , Ziprex tablets are prescribed in the amount of 15 mg once a day. During therapy, it is necessary to monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the dosage.
If the patient suffers from hepatic or renal insufficiency, then he is prescribed Ziprexa 5 mg, if the condition is normal and the agent is well tolerated, then the dosage can be gradually increased.
The drug is often prescribed to patients in the form of injections. Before making an injection, it is necessary to dilute the lyophilisate correctly. To do this, dissolve the contents of the vial in 2 ml of water for injection. The prepared solution should be transparent and have a yellow color.
How to use? Ziprex, as already mentioned, is appointed only by a specialist. Therefore, the treatment regimen, if therapy is carried out at home, should be discussed with the doctor.
When preparing the solution for injection, you must remember:
- Ziprex can be dissolved only in sterile water.
- Do not mix this drug and Diazepam in the same syringe.
- The combination of Ziprex and Haloperidol leads to a weakening of the action of the first drug.
If the doctor prescribes Ziprex, the dosage will depend on the diagnosis. For example, with schizophrenia, the initial dose is 10 mg once a day. The drug should be administered only intramuscularly. If the condition of the patient requires, then a second injection of the drug can be done, but not earlier than two hours after the first injection.
In elderly patients and in the presence of some chronic diseases, the drug is prescribed in a dosage of 2.5-5 mg.
Considering that the introduction of Ziprex can provoke a drop in blood pressure, it is better to be in a supine position during the injection, especially if drowsiness and dizziness appear after the injection. It is necessary to lie down until the doctor, after examination, fixes the absence of a decrease in blood pressure and bradycardia.
It is also worth recalling that the cancellation of Ziprex should be carried out gradually, since the drug is characterized by a withdrawal syndrome. Be sure to discuss this issue with your doctor.
With long-term therapy with Ziprexa, after a while, the injections are replaced with tablets in a dosage of 5 to 20 mg per day. The doctor will explain in detail how long Ziprex should be taken. What the drug treats and what is the treatment regimen, we have examined, but we should not forget about the undesirable consequences.
Side effects of the drug
Almost all drugs for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system belong to the group that is not recommended to be taken without consulting a doctor. This is not an exception for Zipreksa, since this drug has a fairly extensive list of side effects:
- The nervous system can react with headache and dizziness, general weakness and insomnia, amnesia and various phobias. Tremor and muscle stiffness are also possible. Often there are tinnitus, deafness, pain in the eyes, a violation of taste.
- From the side of the cardiovascular system, tachycardia, lowering of blood pressure, ECG indices, cyanosis are possible. Tests can show neutropenia, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia. In severe cases, cardiac arrest is possible.
- There is a risk of rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, increased coughing. Bronchial asthma may worsen, the risk of apnea is great.
- Attacks of increased appetite or bulimia, thirst and dry mouth.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Exacerbation of gastritis and gastroenteritis.
- Violation of the stool and flatulence.
- A metabolic disorder can manifest itself in a change in body weight, the development of diabetes mellitus, and diabetic coma.
- Urinary incontinence, cystitis, uterine fibrosis, amenorrhea and the development of urinary tract infections are also an undesirable manifestation of taking the drug.
- Instructions for use ("Ziprex", as we see, a drug that can cause many undesirable side effects) warns that the development of arthritis, bursitis, cramps in the calf muscles and bone pain is possible.
- The skin can react with the appearance of excessive dryness, dermatitis, ulcerative formations.
- Often there is a urticaria.
- Other symptoms include fever, chills, and a flu-like condition.
From all of the above, we can conclude that Ziprex has side effects that are quite serious, so you can take the drug only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Overdose symptoms
If the patient does not comply with the doctor's recommendations on the dosage of the drug, then there is a risk of an overdose, which is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Tachycardia.
- Excessive excitability and aggressiveness.
- Speech disorder.
- Impaired consciousness.
- Cramps.
- Antipsychotic syndrome.
- Inhibition of respiratory function.
- Blood pressure jumps.
- Arrhythmia.
- In severe cases, cardiac and respiratory arrest.
At the first signs of an overdose, it is necessary to rinse the stomach, take activated charcoal. Symptomatic treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical manifestations, the function of vital organs is constantly monitored.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
To avoid undesirable manifestations after taking "Ziprex", you must carefully study the list of contraindications. These include:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
- Depressed state of the nervous system.
- To.
- Age to 18 years.
- With great care, it is necessary to prescribe the drug "Ziprex" in the following diseases and conditions:
- Renal and liver failure.
- Glaucoma.
- Epilepsy.
- Hyperplasia of the prostate gland.
- Myelosuppression
- Phenylketonuria.
- Paralytic intestinal obstruction.
- Pregnancy.
- The period of breastfeeding.
If the patient has at least one of the listed diseases or conditions, then it is necessary to inform the doctor about this.
Taking the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding
If a woman carries out therapy with Ziprex and pregnancy occurs, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about this. This drug during the period of gestation should be taken only in cases where the benefit to the mother significantly exceeds the potential risk for the developing baby.
Ziprex is an antipsychotic that can penetrate into breast milk, so during the treatment with the drug you should not continue feeding the baby, it is better to switch to artificial feeding.
Special recommendations during therapy
Psychiatrists often opt for Ziprex, the price of which, unfortunately, is quite high. So, one pack of tablets (5 mg, 28 pcs.) Will cost 2500 rubles, and one bottle for injection - 239 rubles.
Almost all drugs from this group are capable of provoking the development of antipsychotic syndrome, and Ziprex is no exception. During treatment with the drug, care must be taken, and if an unstable pulse or tachycardia, arrhythmia or sweating appears, the body temperature rises, then it is worth telling the doctor about this.
Clinical manifestations of malignant antipsychotic syndrome require that the drug be immediately discontinued.
Clinical studies were conducted, during which it was found that long-term therapy with Ziprexa was rarely accompanied by dyskinesia, which would require medical intervention. But do not forget that there is a risk of the late development of this condition.
If symptoms of dyskinesia are detected, then the dose of the drug must be adjusted in the direction of its decrease.
In the presence of a diagnosis of liver failure, the drug should be taken with extreme caution, especially with increased activity of AST and ALT. If the indicators reach a critical level, then it is necessary to reduce the dosage of Ziprex.
This medicine should be taken carefully if the patient had a history of seizures or is regularly exposed to factors that lower the threshold of convulsive readiness.
If the patient’s analyzes show a reduced number of leukocytes or neutrophils, then Ziprexa should be administered under the supervision of a doctor and periodically monitored for blood counts. This is indicated by the instructions for use. Ziprex also requires extreme caution during its treatment if:
- There are signs of depression or toxic disruption of bone marrow.
- The presence of concomitant diseases that inhibit bone marrow function.
- If the patient had a history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
- The presence of hypereosinophilia.
During experimental studies, Ziprexoy therapy was rarely accompanied by anticholinergic undesirable effects, but the experience of using this drug in patients with concomitant diseases is small, so treatment should be carried out carefully if necessary and only under medical supervision.
Bowel obstruction and closed glaucoma are also the basis for careful treatment with Ziprex. The action of the drug on the central nervous system requires caution if a combination with other drugs of a similar effect is necessary.
The drug does not combine with alcohol, so during the treatment you should not drink alcoholic beverages.
Considering that drowsiness is possible during Ziprexa treatment, it is better to refrain from driving vehicles during this period, as well as from performing work that requires excessive concentration.
How "Ziprex" is Combined with Other Medicines
The metabolism of the main active substance of the drug can undergo changes under the action of inhibitors or inducers of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, which are active against CYP1A2. Ziprexa clearance is significantly increased in patients who have such a bad habit as smoking, and also take the drug "Carbamazepine".
Clinical studies have proved that if there is a single dose of Ziprex during treatment with Warfarin, Theophylline, Diazepam, Imipramine, then a decrease in the metabolism of the latter was not observed.
The simultaneous administration of the drug with alcoholic beverages is fraught with increased sedative properties of the drug, which can lead to a weakening of the concentration of attention.
Joint administration with Fluxitine with Ziprex leads to an increase in the maximum permissible concentration of the active substance olanzapine. But in all patients, this factor can have a different severity, so the dosage is adjusted strictly individually.
If the Ziprexa preparation is prescribed intramuscularly together with benzodiazepines, it is recommended to conduct a thorough examination of the patient's clinical condition in relation to the inhibition of the respiratory system and heart muscle. Clinical studies of this combination of drugs have not been carried out, so if possible it should be avoided.
The introduction of the drug is fraught with the development of bradycardia or a decrease in blood pressure, therefore, such therapy should be carried out very carefully in patients who have problems in the cardiovascular system, fainting and sharp drops in pressure were observed.
It is also worth noting that taking activated charcoal or antacid drugs significantly reduces the absorption process of Ziprex in the intestinal tract, which may adversely affect the effectiveness of treatment.
Precautions during therapy "Zipreksoy"
If there are factors that contribute to slowing the metabolism of olanzapine, then the dosage should be reduced. These factors include:
- Female.
- Having a bad habit, such as smoking.
- Senile age.
Despite the fact that Ziprex is very often prescribed, such therapy requires special attention to patients who have or have observed suicidal tendencies.
During therapy, the activity of hepatic transaminases should be monitored, this is primarily true for patients with impaired liver function.
Patients whose professional activity is related to driving vehicles or performing work that requires special attention and concentration are prescribed with caution. If possible, then replace it with another medicine.
If signs of malignant antipsychotic syndrome appear in the form of increased body temperature, tachycardia, muscle tension, then you should stop taking the drug.
Since the appearance of restlessness, a constant desire to move against the background of Ziprexa's motor anxiety therapy, the dosage should be slightly reduced and antiparkinsonian drugs should be prescribed.
Analogues of the drug
Ziprex analogues has two groups:
- Synonyms, that is, having the same active substance. The following medicines belong to this group: Zalasta, Olanzapine, Parnasan, Olaneks, Normiton.
- The second group includes drugs that have a similar pharmacological effect on the human body, for example: “Azaleptin”, “Victoel”, “Ketilept”, “Kutipin”, “Lakvel”, “Nantarid”, “Safris” and others.
If the doctor has prescribed Ziprex as a therapy, you should not rush to pick up analogues, since you may not get the desired therapeutic effect. Only a doctor can help in solving this issue. The desire to replace the drug with an analogue is justified, because the Ziprex drug has a rather high price, but its effectiveness is still worth the money.
Reviews about the drug
At present, almost every patient, before going to the pharmacy for the medicine prescribed by the doctor, will surely take an interest in the opinions of those who have already undergone the course of treatment. Ziprex reviews are most often positive. Patients who underwent therapy using this drug, note its high effectiveness. Even after the main course of treatment, most patients note that in maintenance doses, the medicine does not allow the disease to return and there are practically no relapses. This drug fights well with depression, from which there is no trace left after a course of therapy, and a desire appears to live on.
It is also worth noting that, despite the fact that Ziprex has good reviews, many patients note the manifestation of undesirable effects. Especially often, as a result of such therapy, excess weight appears, the metabolism is disturbed, some note restlessness and a desire to constantly do something.
Quite often, patients also complain about the too high cost of the drug, which does not allow it to be taken by some segments of the population.
Currently, there is a large number of drugs for one disease in the arsenal of doctors, but only after a full examination the doctor can choose one of them. That is why it is not worth it to prescribe therapy for yourself, the same medicine can have a different effect on patients. It all depends on the characteristics of the body, the general condition and the course of the disease. This primarily concerns drugs for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Take care of yourself and be healthy!