The dosage regimen of the phenazepam solution differs from the same in tablets. The drug has a pronounced anxiolytic, as well as muscle relaxant and hypnotic effect. Phenazepam Injection, if used improperly, can be harmful. The drug has an impressive list of contraindications, as well as a high risk of side effects (especially if the patient violates the dosage rules).
The composition and form of the drug
The drug is produced in two forms of release - tablets for oral administration and a solution for intravenous and intramuscular injections. In a hospital, the phenazepam solution is more often used. In Latin, the recipe indicates its name: Bromdihydrochlorphenylbenzodiazepinum or Phenazepamum. Some doctors prefer to use the injection form only in a hospital setting, and for the subsequent treatment at home prescribe a tablet form. Therefore, tablets are relatively more in demand among patients than solution.
"Phenazepam" in solution and in tablets is a strictly prescription drug, belongs to the class of psychoactive substances, is able to provoke the appearance of drug and psychological dependence if used improperly. The correct prescription from a psychiatrist or neurologist should contain the following information:
- stamp of the medical institution where the doctor works;
- date of administration of the drug;
- F. I. O. and the age of the patient;
- F. I. O. doctor;
- prescribe drugs in Latin (some doctors prescribe the name of the active substance, some - the name of the drug);
- an indication to the pharmacist on the particulars of dispensing the medicine to the patient - how many tablets or ampoules can be sold;
- doctor's signature, his personal seal and the seal of the institution.
The Latin formulation for the phenazepam solution (it is required to be entered into the prescription for the purchase of the drug in a pharmacy) is as follows: Amp. Phenazepamum 0.001 No. 10. Such a record means that the doctor approved the purchase of one package with ten ampoules of the drug at 0.001 mg of active substance.
The cardboard pack is completed with ten ampoules of the Phenazepam solution (each of which is 1 ml), a scarifier and instructions for using the drug. If there is a skill in performing injections, then the patient can make injections for himself at home. However, most often, the phenazepam solution is used in a hospital setting. This precaution is due to the fact that tablets are more difficult to overdose. And with a frivolous amateurish use of the phenazepam injection, the consequences for the patient's condition can be extremely disappointing.
Pharmacological action of the drug "Phenazepam"
The drug, regardless of the form of release, is usually attributed to the drug group of anxiolytics. However, unlike most of its "neighbors" in the pharmacological group, "Phenazepam" has several advantages. In addition to anxiolytic (sedative) action, the drug has the following properties:
- sleeping pills (patients note that they fall asleep almost immediately after taking the necessary dose, for this reason a prescription for Phenazepam solution must be taken from a doctor, self-administration is impossible);
- muscle relaxant effect, i.e. relaxation of the muscles of the body;
- antineurotic (the sedative effect is so powerful that nerve tics pass along with the reception, the patient’s psychotic state returns to normal).
Some doctors believe that Phenazepam is closer in action to tranquilizer class drugs. However, since Soviet times, the drug is considered an anxiolytic, despite the fact that its action is much more powerful than most typical anxiolytics, which even confirms the instructions for use.
The injection solution "Phenazepam" as the main active ingredient contains bromidihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine in a concentration of 0.001%. The drug was created by Soviet pharmacists and in the first years after the synthesis was used exclusively in psychiatry as a powerful tranquilizer. However, over time it became clear that the use of high dosages of bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine leads to negative consequences, and the resulting preparation has a large number of side effects. Therefore, over time, the substance began to be used in tiny doses and with a short course as a support agent. Therefore, it is customary to classify "Phenazepam" not as a tranquilizer, but as an anxiolytic. Despite this, the drug is sold strictly by prescription.
The solution of "Phenazepam" with intramuscular or intravenous administration reaches the bloodstream as quickly as possible, then acting on the amygdala complex of the visceral brain (limbic system). If the dosage is exceeded, it causes euphoria, then a sound sleep with colorful visions. In some patients, on the contrary, the appearance of aggression and an increase in psychosis are noted.
Indications for use of "Phenazepam"
We remind you that only the attending physician should decide on the advisability of taking this drug. Self-administration is prohibited. Instructions for use with the phenazepam solution reports that the drug is used for the following diagnoses and conditions:
- pseudo-neurotic and neurotic conditions during an exacerbation;
- psychopathies of various etiologies;
- panic attacks, fear, severe anxiety;
- insomnia;
- reactive psychosis;
- hypochondriac syndrome;
- alcohol delirium (as part of complex therapy);
- temporal and myoclonic epilepsy;
- nervous tic;
- dyskinesia;
- anxiety depressive disorder;
- withdrawal in persons with chemical dependence;
- muscle stiffness;
- lability of the autonomic nervous system.
In connection with the possibility of the development of drug and psychological dependence on the drug, the dosages prescribed by the doctor and the duration of the course of treatment should be strictly observed. The instruction for the phenazepam solution reports that if side effects appear in the first days, then the dosage should be halved. If even after this the severity of side effects does not become less, then you should refuse to take the drug and choose an analogue with another active substance.
Feasible side effects
The instruction for the phenazepam injection solution reports that the following side effects may develop during use:
- From the nervous system - ataxia, impaired attention, problems with the ability to concentrate, apathy, slowing down the speed of motor reactions, headaches, tremor of the extremities, memory impairment, dystonic extrapyramidal disorders. If the dosage is exceeded, some patients develop euphoria, while others develop a depressive state.
- Often side effects are observed from the side of the vestibular apparatus - the patient staggers, cannot walk in a straight line, he develops severe dizziness. In this regard, the solution "Phenazepam" is used mainly in hospitals, in extreme cases - in a day hospital.
- In relatively rare cases, the patient shows irritability, anger, aggression, and excessive anxiety when taking the medicine. In this case, the attending physician should think about adjusting the prescribed dose. Most likely, the dosage used for a particular patient is small, it is necessary to increase it.
- From the side of the hematopoietic system during treatment with the drug, the following side effects can be observed: a decrease in the concentration of leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets. In rare cases, against the background of therapy, a decrease in hemoglobin is observed.
- On the part of the digestive system, the following side effects may develop: constipation, heartburn, nausea (especially when injected on an empty stomach), an increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Also, many patients note a constant dry mouth during treatment.
- The occurrence of allergic reactions is possible - skin itching, eczema, dermatitis, etc.
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Drug dependence and withdrawal syndrome
Separately, it is worth mentioning the side effects that a patient experiences with a developed drug dependence. When you try to stop taking the person experiences the following conditions:
- lowering blood pressure;
- weakness, apathy, decreased performance;
- significant weight loss;
- lack of appetite;
- constant anger, severe irritability;
- serious sleep problems up to insomnia for several days.
The presence of these symptoms indicates the appearance of withdrawal syndrome. Of course, the percentage of phenazepam solution is small - 0.1%, and the likelihood of developing addiction is extremely small. But if you use such a solution daily for more than two months, then almost any patient will develop an addiction.
How to beat Phenazepam withdrawal syndrome? It is very difficult to do this at home. some patients are even forced to go to the clinic in order to get rid of the symptoms of drug dependence. As a rule, soft tranquilizers, physiotherapy are used in the treatment, and individual psychotherapy sessions are also shown to the patient.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Instructions for use with "Phenazepam" reports that there are the following contraindications for its use:
- shock or coma;
- myasthenia gravis;
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- COPD
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- people under the age of 18;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
It should be noted that the drug can provoke an increase in respiratory failure.
Recommended dosage and route of administration
"Phenazepam" in the form of a solution is intended for injection into a muscle or vein by a jet or drip method. A single dose of the drug is from 0.0005 to 0.001 g. The maximum dose is 0.01 g.
The following dosage regimen is recommended, depending on the patient’s condition and his diagnosis:
- In order to stop psychotic and anxious conditions that are not accompanied by aggression and hallucinations - from 0.003 to 0.005 g, which corresponds to 3-5 ml of 0.1% solution. At the discretion of the attending physician, the dosage may be exceeded by 1.5 times.
- With epileptic seizures, the drug is administered in a dose of 0.0005 g or more, depending on the diagnosis made by the doctor.
- During the period of withdrawal syndrome provoked by chronic alcoholism or drug addiction, the dosage of the drug administered is from 0.0025 to 0.005 g.
- If it is required to prepare the patient for anesthesia, the drug should be administered very slowly intravenously several hours before surgery at a dose equal to from 0.003 to 0.004 g.
The average duration of treatment with Phenazepam is two weeks. In some cases, at the discretion of the attending physician, the course can last three or four weeks. But in this case, it is necessary to adjust the dosage so that the risk of drug dependence is minimized.
The consequences of an overdose of the drug
You should start taking it with minimal doses so as not to provoke symptoms of an overdose. They are manifested in the following:
- dizziness, loss of coordination;
- hallucinations sometimes begin (depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and on how much the dosage has been exceeded);
- deep sleep on the verge of a coma;
- physical activity;
- akathisia;
- tremor of limbs;
- Strong headache;
- nausea and vomiting cramps.
If the overdose was caused by injections of the drug, then Enterosgel or other absorbent drugs should be taken. If the overdose was caused by taking the pills, then you must induce vomiting or rinse your stomach yourself with plenty of water or call an ambulance.
Recommended Phenazepam Solution Analogs
If, for one reason or another, this drug did not fit the patient, then you should pay attention to its analogues:
- "Diazepam" is a powerful sedative, the form of release is tablets and ampoules for injection, it is sold strictly according to the prescription, as it has narcogenic potential (it can provoke the appearance of dependence).
- "Seduxen" is also available in tablets and ampoules for injection, has a powerful hypnotic and sedative effect.
- "Grandaxin" is available in the form of tablets, the main active ingredient - tofisopam, belongs to the class of tranquilizers and antidepressants.
- "Nozepam" is available in the form of tablets, belongs to the class of benzodiazepine tranquilizers, has a powerful sedative effect.
- Lorazepam is available in the form of ampoules for injection and tablets for oral administration. Belongs to the class of tranquilizers. It is sold strictly according to the prescription, has narcogenic potential.
Reviews on the use of the drug for insomnia
Sleep problems can sometimes become a real problem and seriously complicate a person’s life. The lack of normal sleep affects the state of higher nervous activity. A person becomes apathetic, inattentive. Efficiency decreases, the desire to communicate or engage in a hobby disappears. Often the patient would be happy to get enough sleep - but only the next night turns into a nightmare and the inability to rest at least a little.
Using Phenazepam tablets or injections helps you forget about sleep problems. Patients note that even after taking the minimum dosage of the drug, ten minutes later, severe drowsiness occurs and subsequent strong and prolonged sleep. However, it cannot be argued that by taking Phenazepam you can cure insomnia. A competent neurologist before prescribing a particular drug will always try to find out the cause of sleep problems and make an accurate diagnosis. Take "Phenazepam" can be for two weeks, no longer. During this time, it is necessary to examine the patient as much as possible and prescribe a comprehensive treatment that will help get rid of the cause of sleep problems.
"Phenazepam" (solution): patient reviews for alcoholic delirium
Persons with chronic alcohol dependence often have psychoses, anxiety is increased, and delirium develops when drinking alcohol heavily. "Phenazepam" in ampoules (the percentage of the solution is 0.1) is used both in withdrawal symptoms and in acute psychotic conditions that develop as a result of alcohol abuse.
Patient reviews report that Phenazepam injections almost immediately relieve acute withdrawal symptoms. A person falls asleep, irritability and aggression pass. However, after a course of injections, patients note some lethargy and apathy. It is not recommended to drive and perform responsible work during the treatment of withdrawal symptoms.
The situation is more complicated if delirium is treated with Phenazepam injections. This condition is very complex, and one drug may not be enough for therapy. An experienced psychiatrist usually prescribes a comprehensive treatment for a patient with acute alcoholic psychosis or who is in delirium. The main treatment is not taking pills and not injecting, but refusing to drink alcohol. Otherwise, the condition will progress and over time, alcoholic encephalopathy, i.e., dementia, may develop. In no case should you attempt to independently treat yourself with Phenazepam - people with alcohol dependence are almost guaranteed to receive drug dependence as a result of such attempts.