The drug Triftazin, the instructions for which will be described in detail in this article, is considered one of the most effective antipsychotics. The use of this drug is associated with many subtleties in terms of dosage and duration of therapy.
Description of the drug, composition
According to the group affiliation, the drug “Triftazin” refers to strong antipsychotic drugs with a pronounced antiemetic effect. The main active ingredient is a compound from the group of phenothiazines - trifluoperazin, which can affect not only the central nervous system, but also its peripheral parts, due to which, in fact, it has an antiemetic effect.
Solution for injection is a clear, colorless liquid without a specific smell and taste. Triftazin tablets are rounded, coated with a blue shell, at a fracture of white or almost white.
Release form, terms and conditions of storage
The drug "Triftazinum", reviews of doctors about which are almost always positive, is available in two dosage forms: in the form of a solution for injection and in tablets. The content of the active substance in each ampoule with the solution is 0.2% (2 mg per 1 ml of solution). Ampoules are packed in cardboard boxes of 5, 10 or 100 pieces together with a special ampoule knife and instructions for using the drug.
In tablets "Triftazinum" the active substance is contained in an amount of 0.005% (0.5 mg). They are packed in blisters of 10 pieces, which, in turn, are placed in cardboard boxes of 4, 5 or 10 pieces each. This dosage form is also available in packs of dark glass or opaque white plastic containing 50 or 100 tablets.
The shelf life of all dosage forms is 3 years. To store tablets and Triftazinum solution application instruction recommends in a cool room with good ventilation. Do not expose the medicine packaging to direct sunlight or liquids. After the expiration date, it is not recommended to take the drug.
Pharmacological properties of the drug "Triftazin"
Consider the main properties of the drug "Triftazin." Instructions for use (official) contain detailed information about the mechanism of action of the active substance of the drug on the receptors of the brain and vagus nerve in the gastrointestinal tract. So, it says that trifluoperazin blocks PMD receptors in the brain and D2 receptors in the cerebellum. In addition , the antipsychotic is able to exert an alpha-adrenergic blocking effect, that is, it actively affects the level of blood pressure, reducing it.
Trifluoperazin has not been adequately studied in terms of pharmacokinetics, but it is known for certain that it actively binds to plasma proteins (at least 80%). The mechanism of decomposition of the compound into metabolites has also been little studied. Excretion of the drug from the body occurs mainly through the kidneys, a small part of the active substance and its metabolites is excreted through the intestines (with bile).
Indications for use
Since the action of the drug “Triftazin”, the instructions for use are classified as antipsychotic, the range of diseases in which its use is advisable includes various mental disorders. Among them - schizophrenia, psychomotor disorders, anxiety and phobias (uncontrollable obsessive fears). In addition, the drug is used to treat vomiting that is not caused by diseases of the digestive system.
How safe is the product under consideration and can all Triftazin be used for all categories of patients? Instructions for use, reviews of specialists about it allow us to conclude that taking the drug is necessary only after a comprehensive examination, since it has a number of serious contraindications and side effects. Despite the fact that the medicine is dispensed without a prescription, it is not worth making a decision on its intake.
Contraindications
The tablets and Triftazin injection solution have contraindications, which imply the impossibility of their use. Among them, depression of the central nervous system and coma are mentioned. In addition, the drug "Triftazinum" does not recommend taking the instructions for use in diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys, hematopoiesis system. The stage of the disease and the severity of its course do not play a significant role. The fact is that there are a number of consequences of taking tablets and Triftazinum solution. The side effects that will be discussed later are very severe in themselves, and in the presence of concomitant pathologies can provoke even more complex consequences for the patient's body.
It is also not recommended to use this tool if there is a history of allergic reactions to any component of the drug.
Use of Triftazin during pregnancy
The active substance of the drug Triftazin (doctors' reviews contain a lot of supporting information about this) has a negative effect on the developing fetus. That is why it is strongly not recommended to take the drug during pregnancy. The fact is that the active substance trifluoperazin in the fetal tissues is found in concentrations significantly exceeding therapeutic doses. It provokes a weak set of fetal mass, and also increases the risk of developing a variety of defects in its development.
The drug "Triftazinum" (analogues of the active substance should also be taken into account) is not recommended for lactating women, since the components of the drug are found in breast milk. Even if the mother does not observe any side effects at her, the baby in the future may encounter problems such as tardive dyskinesia and lethargy.
Side effects
As mentioned earlier, the drug "Triftazin" can cause a number of undesirable reactions from almost all organs and systems. First of all, the active substance acts on the patient’s nervous system, which means that the lion's share of side effects occurs in it. First of all, these include phenomena such as tremors, cramps in the muscles of the neck and tongue, which can make speech indistinct (extrapyramidal reactions). Also, symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, insomnia, akathisia and autonomic disorders often appear.
The most common adverse reactions from the central nervous system caused by the use of the drug "Triftazin", reviews are called drowsiness, dizziness and loss of vision. Typically, such symptoms appear on the first day after starting treatment with the drug.
What else can cause a solution for injection or Triftazin tablets? Side effects, according to patients and doctors, often affect the digestive system. This manifests itself in the form of dry mouth and anorexia. Also, problems with the normal functioning of the liver often arise. In addition, allergic rashes on the skin, amenorrhea, agranulocytosis may occur.
special instructions
The above undesirable effects can be mitigated by symptomatic therapy or dose adjustment. The abolition of “Triftazin” is required only if there are serious violations in the functioning of the patient’s organ systems. So, we will consider the main techniques and methods of getting rid or mitigating unwanted body reactions to the drug.
When tremors or seizures occur, in most cases, specialists decide to reduce the patient’s doses of the drug or temporarily stop taking it. In severe cases, treatment with antiparkinsonian drugs, barbiturates or caffeine may be required (intravenous administration).
With the appearance of pronounced symptoms of insomnia or motor disinhibition, agitation, it is not recommended to increase the starting dose of the drug. As a rule, within a few days the body adapts to a new medicine, and unwanted symptoms gradually disappear. Otherwise, treatment with benzodiazepine or propanolol may be required.
A condition such as tardive dyskinesia, mentioned among the side effects when taking Triftazin, reviews of which will be described below, most often develops as a result of prolonged use of the drug or soon after its withdrawal. Experts note that dyskinesia (late) is most often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Some side effects caused by taking the drug are incompatible with actions such as driving a car and complex mechanisms. At the time of treatment with "Triftazinum" it is better to refrain from them.
Recommendations on dosage and methods of taking the drug
The dosage of the drug is determined by a specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient: his condition and the presence of concomitant diseases. At the beginning of the course of therapy, the minimum doses of Triftazin are usually prescribed. Tablets instruction prescribes to take 1-5 mg 2 times a day (adult patients). Over the next three weeks, the dosage is gradually increased and adjusted to 45-60 mg per day. This amount must also be divided into three methods.
For the treatment of children, it is customary to use smaller doses of the drug. At the beginning of therapy, take no more than 3 mg per day (in 3 doses). If necessary and the absence of pronounced symptoms of adverse reactions, the dosage is increased to 5-6 mg per day.
Triftazin Injection Solution must be administered intramuscularly with an interval of not more than 6 hours. The daily dose of the drug for adults is a maximum of 10 mg. Children are shown a dosage of 1 mg per day, divided into 2 injections, with an interval of at least 12 hours.
We draw the reader's attention to the fact that treatment with this drug, regardless of the dosage form used, should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. It is he who makes the decision to change the dosage of the drug Triftazin. An overdose with proper use of the drug is almost impossible. Unauthorized administration of the drug or a change in the recommended doses to the larger side can lead to unpredictable consequences.
Drug interaction
All drugs have the property to interact with each other. The tablets and Triftazin injection solution are no exception. Typically, experts take into account many factors that affect the effectiveness of this drug. So, medicines containing ethanol (syrups, tinctures, and the like) can enhance the central nervous system depressing properties of Triftazin, as well as negatively affect respiration.
Together with drugs that lower blood pressure, tablets or Triftazinum solution should be used very carefully, since the development of acute orthostatic hypotension is possible.
Antacids and antiparkinsonian drugs contribute to a lesser absorption of the active substance of Triftazin tablets from the digestive tract, and, therefore, reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
A negative effect was also observed with the combined use of the drug with lithium salts. According to the data obtained, such a combination is fraught with the development of pronounced extrapyramidal symptoms and an increase in the neurotoxic effect of trifluoperazin.
Reviews about the drug "Triftazinum"
Before taking the drug, many try to find reviews about it. The medicine "Triftazinum", judging by the comments of experts, is considered one of the most effective. However, they note that the uncontrolled use of the drug can adversely affect not only the physical, but also the mental state of a person.
For those patients who are shown taking this medication, in many cases it is the only way to lead a normal life. Of course, not without the development of side effects. But, according to statistics, all unpleasant symptoms disappear within a maximum of two weeks after the start of therapy.
Patients' opinions on the drug "Triftazin" are mixed. He really helped one, while others endured the side effects so hard that they had to abandon this remedy. Very often, consumers indicate the appearance of fatigue, apathy and general weakness. In isolated cases, patients fell into a state where they did not want to make even elementary movements.
Women, unlike men, often mention an increase in body weight during treatment with Triftazin. Experts argue that there is no direct relationship between therapy with this drug and weight gain. According to their assumption, this is due to a decrease in the motor activity of patients against the background of maintaining the same diet.
Regarding the effect of the drug, both doctors and patients recognized that this drug really alleviates or eliminates the symptoms of the underlying disease.
Analogs and cost of the drug
So, we examined the main issues on the use of the drug "Triftazin." Does he have equivalent substitutes, or the so-called analogues? Of course, there are a lot of such drugs. Almost all pharmaceutical companies today produce antipsychotics, and most of the drugs in this group are synonymous with “Triftazine” (that is, they correspond in composition). These include drugs “Vespezin”, “Trifluoperazine hydrochloride”, “Trifluperazine hydrochloride”, “Fluazine”, “Equazin”, “Stelazin”, “Cyclodol” and many others.
The cost of these drugs is not always the same. Foreign counterparts are most often more expensive than Triftazin, which costs an average of 50-70 rubles per pack (50 tablets). If you consider that therapy with the use of this tool is long, you can regard its cost as one of the main advantages over imported analogues.