The frantic rhythm of life, problems and stresses lead to the fact that a person falls into depression. It manifests itself in all different ways. One may have sleep disturbance, while the other begins to constantly feel a sense of anxiety and fear. In any case, this condition requires the intervention of a specialist. Do not do without taking antidepressants. Popular today is the drug "Selectra". Analogues of it in pharmacies are also available. Before using any medication, you should carefully study the instructions and consult a doctor.
Release form and composition
"Selectra" - pills that belong to the group of antidepressants. The main active ingredient is escitalopram oxalate. Croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, talc, silicon dioxide, and microcrystalline cellulose are used as auxiliary substances in the medication. The film membrane of the tablets consists of elements such as titanium dioxide, white opadra, macrogol, hypromellose.
The drug is available in cardboard packaging. Selectra tablets (10 mg) can be packaged in 10 and 14 pieces. The second option to purchase is much more economical. Today, the drug can be found in almost any pharmacy.
How does the drug work?
Selectra tablets are a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. As a result, the production of a neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft is significantly enhanced. The main active substance practically does not come into contact with such receptors as opamine D 1 and D 2 receptors, histamine H 1 receptors, benzodiazepine and opioid receptors.
Regardless of the meal, you can take the drug "Selectra". Instructions for use describe how the medicine is absorbed into the blood and excreted from the body. The bioavailability of the main active ingredient is 80%. Its maximum concentration in the blood is recorded only after 4 hours. The kinetics of escitalopram is achieved within a week after taking 10 mg tablets. Selectra tablets (including analogues) are metabolized in the liver. Complete elimination of the drug from the human body occurs after about a day. In patients older than 60 years, the drug is eliminated from the body much longer. This is due to the features of the liver and kidneys.
Indications and contraindications
In depressive disorders of varying severity, SELECTRA tablets are often prescribed. Reviews of patients show that the medicine helps to quickly overcome stress and restore sleep. Even with panic disorders, the medication helps to cope quickly enough. The drug will not work for people under 15 years old, as well as for pregnant and lactating women. The composition of the medication includes substances that can cause severe disturbances in the development of the fetus. Selectra tablets should never be taken in conjunction with MAO inhibitors. In rare cases, hypersensitivity to individual components of the drug may occur. If any adverse reactions occur, you should immediately consult a doctor who can replace the Selectra tablets. There are always analogues in pharmacies. Everyone will be able to purchase the right medicine.
With caution, it is worth taking "Selectra" tablets to people suffering from renal failure. The body participating in the removal of the medication may not perform its functions in full force. Antidepressants are also not suitable for people suffering from manic disorders and depression with suicidal attempts. Treatment of such patients should be carried out only in a hospital with the use of strong medications.
Under the supervision of a doctor, it is necessary to take the drug "Selectra" to people who suffer from diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, cirrhosis, alcohol addiction. The drug should also be avoided for patients who are prone to bleeding. Older people can take Spletra tablets, but therapy should be started with a reduced dosage.
A course of treatment
Regardless of the meal, you can take pills "Selectra". Instructions for use say that you should start taking with one tablet per day. The drug can be prescribed for adults and children over 15 years of age. The course of treatment does not depend on the patient’s gender and age. In some cases, the dosage of the drug may be increased. So, with severe depression, the doctor may prescribe 20 mg per day (two tablets). Exceeding this dosage is no longer recommended.
Antidepressant treatment usually lasts long enough. The effect can be noticed no earlier than two weeks later. The full course of treatment may depend on the form of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient. Even if symptoms of a depressive state disappear, treatment should be continued for several more months.
If the patient has panic disorders, the Selectra tablets are taken 5 mg in the first week. Further, the dosage is gradually increased. The maximum daily dosage may be 20 mg. The maximum effect of taking the drug can be noticed no earlier than a few months later. It should be prepared for the fact that the restoration of mental health is a long process. It is not possible to recover quickly in elderly patients. In addition, for patients over 65 years of age, the dosage is halved. This is due to excessive stress on the liver and kidneys.
At the end of treatment, the dose of the drug should be reduced gradually. For several weeks, the patient takes 10, then 5 mg. Abrupt cessation of treatment can lead to withdrawal. All unpleasant symptoms will return again.
Overdose and interaction with other medicines
Before using the Selectra tablets, the instructions should be studied first. Medicines with a similar composition, although produced without a prescription, can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor. Overdose can be dangerous to health and life. As soon as the daily norm is slightly exceeded, dizziness, nausea, tremor of the extremities appear . In the most difficult cases, convulsive seizures, respiratory depression are observed. If the patient is not promptly provided with assistance, a fatal outcome is possible. An overdose of "Selectra" is treated only by washing the stomach. This is necessarily done in a hospital. A few more days the patient is under the supervision of a doctor. Specialists monitor the work of the heart and respiratory system.
Adverse reactions are also possible when using certain drugs in conjunction with the tablets "Selectra". Analogs also can not be taken without consulting a doctor. After all, often they have the same composition.
Serotonin syndrome may flutter if antidepressants are taken with MAO inhibitors. The interval between the use of individual drugs should be at least a month.
It is worth remembering that the "Selectra" tablets lower the threshold of convulsive activity. Therefore, medicines with the same effect should not be taken with antidepressants. Do not prescribe the medicine "Selectra" in conjunction with medicines based on St. John's wort. This combination can lead to increased side effects.
Side effects
Selectra tablets are mostly positive reviews. The drug helps to quickly deal with depression and remove its effects. But the medication has many side effects. In the first few days of therapy, the patient may feel dizziness, pain in the temples, drowsiness and fatigue. These symptoms are not a reason for canceling pills. Usually, after a week, the patient's health returns to normal.
In addition to disorders of the nervous system, malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract can be noted. The patient may feel abdominal pain, nausea. Less commonly, vomiting and diarrhea occur. Such symptoms may indicate individual intolerance. If for several weeks the patient feels unwell, his condition does not improve, the medication should be discontinued. It is worth exploring other medicines in pharmacies from the antidepressant category. Surely there is a drug that can help more gently.
In rare cases, the drug "Selectra" can cause allergic reactions in the form of a rash and itching of the skin. There is no need to treat this condition. This is only a temporary phenomenon that passes after a few weeks of therapy.
special instructions
In some cases, in patients with panic disorders, initiation of therapy may be accompanied by increased anxiety. It is very important that the patient at this time is always under observation. If a person is undergoing treatment at home, it is not recommended to leave him alone. Unpleasant symptoms begin to go away from the third week of therapy with Selectra tablets. Prior to this, the patient remains at risk of suicide. Patients with severe depression should be supervised by medical personnel around the clock. True, most often patients with complex mental disorders are treated in a hospital setting.
If the patient develops convulsive seizures, the drug is immediately canceled. For the same reason, it is forbidden to prescribe "Selectra" tablets to patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. Synonyms of the drug also cannot be used due to the similar composition.
People with diabetes can take the drug only under the supervision of specialists. Selectra tablets may increase blood glucose levels. As a result, hypoglycemia will develop. The doctor will have to adjust the dosage of insulin, as well as antidepressants. In the most difficult cases, the Selectra preparation is completely canceled.
Reviews about the tablets "Selectra"
The drug has appeared for a long time, so a sufficient number of reviews can be heard about it. Many patients note that there is indeed a positive effect from taking the pills. But it is not immediately noticeable. In the first weeks of therapy, unpleasant symptoms only intensify. Many say that the mood is getting worse, thoughts of suicide come. It is very important at this moment to feel the support of family and friends. Only a few weeks pass, and the first results become noticeable. Patients note that first of all a dream is established. This, as a rule, leads to good health and the appearance of high spirits.
All negative reviews about the Selectra tablets are associated in most cases with a dosage violation or poor study of the instructions. The drug has its own characteristics and contraindications. You should definitely know about them before starting treatment. All contraindications and side effects are described in a special insert, which is in the package with tablets. Before purchasing medicine in pharmacies, you can always find out detailed information about it.
Many are pleased with the cost of the Selectra drug. Its price in pharmacies starts at 400 rubles for 10 tablets of 10 mg. You can save if you buy a medicine in a large package. For 28 tablets, you will have to pay about 900 rubles. Of course, the Select tablets are expensive. Analogs can cost, however, even more. But one cannot joke with mental health. Patients note: the faster you start treatment, the sooner you can notice a positive result.
Analogues of the drug
It is worth looking for a replacement if, for several reasons, you can not take the drug "Selectra". Instructions for use, the price of an analog can be almost the same. Only the composition and name of the medication will differ. Replace the drug "Selectra" can be tablets "Miracitol." The main active ingredient is also escitalopram. Additionally, substances such as croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and talc are used. Indications for use are the same as for the Selectra tablets. The main difference is the ability to receive children. But you can use the medication only according to the indications and after consulting a doctor.
Lenuxin is another popular antidepressant. It is used for the most severe depression and panic disorders. Lenuxin tablets are not prescribed for minors.
Natural antidepressants
With the development of depression, it is not always advisable to immediately resort to taking medications such as Selectra tablets. The price of synthetic depressants can be quite high. But forget about stressful situations will help ordinary natural substances. What is ordinary black chocolate worth! Cocoa beans have been proven to help restore nerve cells. As a result, you can quickly forget about the problems. But you must definitely drink bitter dark chocolate.
It will help to overcome depression meditation. Today you can read a lot of information about useful exercises. Additionally, you can resort to breathing exercises. Such exercises will be useful both for the soul and for the body. And already if you can’t restore mental health without medication, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to choose the optimal antidepressant.