Arterial hypertension is a disease that cannot be cured completely. A chronic condition may not significantly impair the patient’s quality of life. At the same time, high blood pressure is the most common cause of strokes. This is already fatal. Arterial hypertension must be treated with medications such as Lokren. An analogue can be selected by a qualified specialist.
When is it worth to seek help?
Why the disease initially develops, many representatives of the medical sphere still argue. However, factors that worsen the patient's condition are precisely known. This is an age older than 50 years, overweight, excessive consumption of fatty foods, bad habits. There are statistics that indicate that the disease is more often encountered by the stronger sex. People with congenital heart and vascular defects also fall into the risk zone.
When is it worth starting to take the drug against pressure (any analogue of Lokren tablets)? Only a doctor can answer this question. The problem is that a symptom such as high blood pressure may not make itself felt for a long time. A person feels absolutely normal and only at the next medical examination is a pathology revealed. It is necessary to seek help from a doctor if headaches, dizziness, and flies appear regularly in the eyes.
The first thing a specialist should do is to conduct a full examination. For this, the patient will have to pass a series of tests. Thus, the cardiologist will be able to find out whether he had to face arterial hypertension or whether the patient's condition was caused by overwork, stress. When the diagnosis is established, the specialist will be able to prescribe the Lokren remedy. An analogue can be selected in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
What kind of drug is Lokren?
The medicine can not be classified as cheap. You will have to pay about 700 rubles for one pack of Lokren tablets. An analogue will cost much cheaper. In addition, with symptoms of high blood pressure, you simply cannot go to the pharmacy and buy pills. The medicine is dispensed strictly according to the prescription. This is due to the possibility of developing serious side effects when using the drug in an increased dosage, up to death.
The drug is available in the form of white tablets. The active ingredient is betaxolol hydrochloride. Additionally, the composition of the medicine includes such elements as microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate. The tablets are coated, which helps protect the gastric mucosa. The composition of the shell includes such components as hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol.
In addition to arterial hypertension, even with angina pectoris, Lokren tablets can be prescribed. Analogs can be used cheaper for the same diagnoses. The drug is used both independently and as part of complex therapy. A cardiologist cannot prescribe pills for pathologies such as bronchial asthma, severe bradycardia, Raynaud's disease, acute and chronic heart failure, arterial hypotension, cardiomegaly. Tablets cannot be used by minors. Contraindications also include the period of pregnancy and lactation. With caution, it is worth using the medicine to people who are prone to allergic reactions. In rare cases, hypersensitivity may develop.
Without the recommendation of a specialist, you should not take Lokren tablets. Instructions for use, reviews, analogues - all this information should be carefully studied before starting therapy. Particular attention should be paid to the "dosage" section. The medicine is taken orally with plenty of water. The medicine has an unpleasant taste, so it is not recommended to chew the tablet. Therapy begins with a minimum daily dosage of 10 mg (half a tablet). If during the week a steady decrease in blood pressure cannot be achieved, the daily norm is doubled. In most cases, already on the 4th day of therapy, a significant improvement in the patient's condition occurs.
An overdose of Lokren, like its analogues, can lead to a rapid decrease in pressure indicators. If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, darkening in the eyes, lethargy, you should immediately seek help.
If the Lokren tablets were not found in the pharmacy, the doctor will pick up an analog. Below will be described the most popular substitutes that also effectively reduce high blood pressure.
Betak Tablets
If we compare the two drugs, then Betak tablets differ, first of all, in price. For one package of medicine you will have to pay 500 rubles. But the active component is the same here. This is betaxolol in the form of hydrochloride. Additionally, the composition of the drug includes such elements as lactose monohydrate, anhydrous colloidal silicon, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium oxide, polyethylene glycol. Like the Lokren medicine, the analogue is packaged in 20 mg. The difference is the lack of a protective shell. In this regard, the drug "Lokren" is safer for the gastric mucosa.
The first indication for the use of Betak tablets is arterial hypertension. In addition, a cardiologist can prescribe this medication for violation of heart rhythm, angina pectoris, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Contraindications are the same as the previous remedy. This is heart failure, arterial hypotension, cardiogenic shock, bronchial asthma. In addition, tablets are undesirable for chronic obstructive bronchitis, emphysema. Like other analogues of Lokren (20 mg), the drug can not be prescribed to minors, pregnant and lactating women. In rare cases, patients may develop hypersensitivity to the active or auxiliary components, which will manifest as redness and itching of the skin.
Tablets can be used as part of complex therapy or on their own. Take the drug once a day, drinking plenty of fluids. As in the case of Lokren, the initial daily rate will be 10 mg. The course of therapy is determined by the doctor individually.
Why can I see Lokren with Betak tablets? The analogue composition is almost identical. At the same time, the cost of the drug is an order of magnitude lower. The substitute may well be used for long-term therapy of arterial hypertension. But self-medication is not worth it. The possibility of using an analog is preferably discussed with a cardiologist.
Improper use of the drug can cause a number of side effects. Relatively harmless include drowsiness, loss of concentration. In addition, the patient may feel dizzy, nauseous, vomiting rarely occurs. Allergic reactions in the form of rash, itching, dry eyes can also develop.
Betaxolol tablets
What else can replace the drug "Lokren"? Analogs cheaper always attract attention. "Betaxolol" - domestic tablets, named after the active ingredient. The composition of the medicine is practically the same. But the price of the drug does not reach 300 rubles. The tablets are great for systemic use if you had to deal with arterial hypertension. The medicine can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other medicines against pressure. In addition, the drug "Betaxolol" can be used in ophthalmology locally. The medicine is prescribed for chronic glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure.
Domestic analogues of Lokren have the same contraindications as the original. Betaxolol tablets are not prescribed for acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, peripheral circulation disturbance. There is no therapy for minors, women during pregnancy and lactation.
The drug "Azoprol"
This drug has the same effect on the body as the Lokren remedy. The current component is different. Significantly reduce blood pressure due to metoprolol succinate. Pills slow down the heart rate, prevent the development of tachycardia. As part of complex therapy, Azoprol can be used to treat arterial hypertension and angina pectoris. As a prophylaxis, a medicine can be prescribed after myocardial infarction.
The medicine has much less contraindications than the Lokren drug. The analog and substitutes based on metoprolol can only cause hypersensitivity in patients who are prone to the development of an allergic reaction. Pills are not prescribed for pregnant women, as well as children under 18 years of age due to the lack of data on clinical trials.
The initial dosage of the drug is 25 mg (two tablets). The medicine must be taken once a day, washed down with plenty of water. The cardiologist determines the duration of therapy in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
The medicine "Metocardium"
The medication, like the previous ones, belongs to the group of beta-blockers. The active ingredient is metoprolol tartrate. Additionally, the composition of the medicine includes elements such as povidone, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, and rice starch. Metocard tablets differ from Lokren means not only in components, but also in price. For one package of funds you will have to pay no more than 80 rubles. But the indications of the drugs are the same. This is arterial hypertension, secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. Also, the medicine can be used to prevent migraine attacks.
Before using the tablets, the instructions should be carefully studied, as in the case of the Lokren preparation. Analogs also have a number of contraindications. If we talk about Metocard tablets, then they cannot be prescribed for chronic heart failure, severe bradycardia, cardiogenic shock. Concurrent use with MAO inhibitors is prohibited. With caution, a medicine is taken for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Pills "Egilok"
There are many more high-quality substitutes for Lokren. Analogues of the drug in Russia are much cheaper. One such drug is Egiloc. The cost of packing tablets is 120-130 rubles. The active ingredient here is metoprolol tartrate. White tablets go on sale in a dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg. The medicine can be used not only for arterial hypertension. Also, tablets are prescribed for violation of the functionality of cardiac activity, supraventricular arrhythmia. On the recommendation of a doctor, the medicine can be used as a means of preventing migraine attacks.
Unlike the above drugs, Egikol tablets are not prescribed for acute myocardial infarction. Contraindications also include pregnancy, lactation, childhood, hypersensitivity to the components. The drug is taken orally, regardless of food. The initial dosage is 25 mg (one tablet). If necessary, the daily rate can be increased to 200 mg. The course of therapy by a cardiologist is determined individually.
The drug "Vasocardine Retard"
This tool can also effectively replace the drug "Lokren." An analogue, the release form of which is tablets, belongs to the category of beta-blockers. The active ingredient is metoprolol tartrate. In addition, the composition of the drug includes sodium stearyl fumarate, silicon dioxide, colloidal anhydrous, glycerol tribhenate, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate. The main difference of the drug is the dosage of the active ingredient (200 mg). Metoprolol has a pronounced hypotensive effect. Vazocardin tablets are perfect for people with high blood pressure.
Tablets are recommended to be taken at the same time, preferably after a meal. The dosage of the drug is selected individually in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient, as well as individual symptoms. The tablet can be divided into two or four parts. The maximum daily allowance cannot exceed 400 mg (two tablets).
The drug can be taken during pregnancy according to strict indications. During lactation, therapy should be postponed.
How to lower blood pressure?
The treatment of hypertension should not be limited to the use of drugs alone. A correct lifestyle will significantly improve the standard of living if a diagnosis of arterial hypertension is made. Initially, you need to review the daily regimen and diet. It will be necessary to refuse fatty and spicy foods. Alcohol and tobacco are the enemies of a healthy lifestyle. Even a small glass of wine can trigger a surge in pressure.
Exercises in the fresh air will help you feel better. It is advisable to charge in the morning. These should be simple exercises. Excessive exercise is useless.
Arterial hypertension is a chronic disease. Therefore, a specialist should be visited regularly, even in the absence of negative symptoms.
Reviews about the drug "Lokren" and its analogues
Patients who had to deal with arterial hypertension, note that the tool "Lokren" perfectly reduces pressure, normalizes well-being. The only negative is the overpriced. After all, the medicine must be taken regularly. The same effects on the body have the means of “Betaxolol”, “Azoprol”, “Vazokardin”, etc. Moreover, they cost several times cheaper.
Experts note that beta-blockers must be present in the medicine cabinet of a person suffering from hypertension. But they must be taken strictly according to the instructions. Loss of consciousness, collapse, dizziness, nausea are just a small list of possible side effects.